Introduction
A. Some
questions arise regarding the Star which the Wise Men saw in the East in
connection with Jesus' birth in Bethlehem
1. There are
certain scientific theories about this biblical account
2. Let us have
a scriptural approach to know the message as stated in John 8:32 by Jesus
Himself
Discussion
A. Certain
Scientific Explanations about the so called Star of Bethlehem-
1. It was a
conjunction/ alignment of planets (e.g. Jupiter and Saturn), the sun and the
moon
- an
astronomical phenomenon seen by the Wise Men (magi) who were believed to be
astronomers also
2.It was a
Super Nova- an explosive dying bright star in the galaxy of Andromeda
- an astronomic
view seen about March 5 B.C.
3. A comet like
the popular Hailey's Comet- a bright celestial body coming from a distant solar
system entering our own solar system
- but comets
were perceived to bring bad omen or destruction, not good news
4. A big and
powerful meteor- a chunk of space rock that brightly burned up in the Earth's
atmosphere
- but meteors
would fade instantly and would not leave traces in weeks, months
5. North Star
which shone brightly in the Northern Hemisphere (Pole) known as the Polaris
B. The Biblical
Approaches / Explanations about the Eastern Star
1. The Star was
an Angel for angels are called stars in the Bible
- Job 38:
7 (the morning stars sang in chorus and the sons of God shouted for joy)
- Psalm
147:4 (He numbers all the stars and calls them by names)
2. It was a
MIRACLE...!
- light
that God made to appear supernaturally (e.g. water to wine in Cana, Galilee,
John 2:1-11)
3. It was the
" shekinah" (God’s glory) like the " pillar of fire" that
led the Israelites at night, Exodus 13:21
- visible
majesty of Divine Presence
C. Purposes of the
Star of Bethlehem-
1. To create a
portent/ a sign pointing to the exact location of the child Jesus, about 2
years old in 3 or 4 BC
- Isaiah
7:14 " Behold, God will give a SIGN.. a virgin shall conceive a Son and
His name shall be called Immanuel/ Emmanuel."
- Psalm
19:1 " the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His
handiwork."
- ISBE (Geoffrey
Bromiley) " God intervened and altered (?) the courses of stars." (a
theory)
2. To fulfill an
Old Testament prophecy
- Numbers
24:17 " a star from Jacob will rise..."
3.to guide
the Wise Men (magi) in exactly locating the child Jesus via the Eastern Star
- the
magi were believed to be astronomers
- they
learned from the Jews living in the East about the coming Messiah
Conclusion
A. The Message
of the Star today
- to tell
the world that there is " hope" in the world for everyone
a..John
3:16
b. I
John 5:13
B. That salvation
is not Only for the Jews but for the whole world
a. The
gospel is the power of God to salvation, to the Jews first and then to the
Gentiles (Romans 1:16)
C. Christ is
inviting all men to come, believe in Him and follow Him now
- Matthew
11:28-30
- 2
Corinthians 6:2