Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-02

furthest from his thought, but this very
act of Herod's made the highest court OF
the Jews add their testimony to the
fact that the Babe of Bethlehem was the
long expected Christ.
Having learned where the new king
was to be born, Herod determined to
find out when, so that he might locate
and destroy Him. His plan was to use
the Magi for this purpose He commits
stoned them to go to Bethlehem, find out
all about the new king, and come back
and inform him. Knowing where and
when the new king was born, 1t would
be simple matter to locate and extermi-
nate Him. TO conceal his real motive
he very adroitly fell into their thought,
and asked them to return and tell him
where, so that he himself might go and
worship Him.
But Herod had not counted God in.
His plan was a worldly wise one, emf
nently so; but God is wiser. The best
of plans fail when God is left out. The
Magi never came back to Jerusalem, and
Herod had to adopt another and less ef-
ficient plan, and even this failed, for
God rules, not Herod.
SCIENCE AT THE FEET OF JESUS
The news that Bethlehem was the
birthplace was the signal for actor
with the Magi. Fortunately it was only
six miles southeast, and the journey
could be quickly made. But the very
fact that 1t was so near and so easy
emphasizes the indifference of the
Jews. Did you ever read of even one
Of them going to Bethlehem to worship
the new king after the Magi's visit. The
heather could come a long journey from
the east to worship Him, but not {
Jew from the royal city would go ST.
miles to see Him!
AS the Magi started. the luminous me
teor that had appeared in the east
went before them until, low swung in tn,
heavens, it stopped over the nous,
where the young child lay. He had beer
taken from the stable now, for the un
usual crowd had gone The Magi wer,
exuberant with joy when they saw thu
star for they knew they were being Lee
| to the end Of their quest. Much ha.
been written about the star. Their,
seems to be but one satisfactory solu
ton of it-that il was miraculously
placed there by God for this distinc
purpose, God using laws of astronomy
with which astronomers are not yet IA
miliar, just as He used other laws il
performing other miracles.
The end of their. quest being attained
the Magi fell down on their faces before
the little helpless. babe and worshippet
I
frankincense and myrrh. The word "of
fer signifies spiritual worship.
They, by faith recognized in Him g
ruler other than a mere temporal king
and expressed their faith by giving the
best they had. These gifts were the
things most highly priced in their coun-
try, and therefore they offeerd them tC
the King. Some have thought that there
were three Magi because there were
three gifts. The number is not known
Some have read into the gifts the life
of Jesus-gold for royalty, frankincense
for deity. myrrh for humanity. 1 dislike
this kind of Interpretation unless there
is very strong scriptural basis for It.
1t may or may not be right.
This is the great truth here, however
The best that was known then was al
the feet of Jesus. The Magi represented
the highest scholarship of the day; they
acknowledge Him as superior. They
come to Him with gifts, and withhold
not the best their country affords.
My brother, where are you? No matter
how high you have attained your real
place is at the feet of .the King. Yield
Him the homage that is His due, and
give Him your best