Humble Hero

No Royal Guard

At Bethlehem they found no royal guard to protect the newborn King. None of the world’s honored men were there. Jesus was cradled in a manger, with His parents as His only guardians. Could this be the One who would “raise up the tribes of Jacob,” be “a light to the Gentiles,” and “salvation to the ends of the earth”? Isaiah 49:6. HH 24.2

“When they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.” Then they poured out their gifts—“gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” What a faith they had! HH 24.3

The wise men had not seen through Herod’s plot, and they prepared to return to Jerusalem to tell him of their success. But in a dream they received a message to have no further communication with him. Avoiding Jerusalem, they set out for their own country by another route. HH 24.4

Joseph also received a dream warning Him to escape to Egypt with Mary and the Child. Joseph obeyed without delay, leaving at night for greater security. HH 24.5

The wise men’s inquiries in Jerusalem, the resulting interest among the people, and even Herod’s jealousy drew the attention of the priests and rabbis and directed minds to the prophecies concerning the Messiah and the great event that had taken place. HH 24.6

Determined to shut out the divine light from the world, Satan used his evil skills to their maximum to destroy the Savior. But He who never slumbers nor sleeps provided a refuge for Mary and the Child Jesus in a heathen land. And through the gifts of the wise men from a heathen country, the Lord supplied the funds for the journey to Egypt and for their stay in a land of strangers. HH 24.7