The Coming of a Savior...Part One

12.12.2005(reprise-12.18.09)

The Saviour's Coming

HHMSS
Sword
The coming of a savior… Part One

"and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them"

Hello, this is Sword.

For our blogging community I would like to tell of a story that we all think we know through and through. It has been a story told for over two thousand years, and over the course of time, has changed, and perhaps, lost its meaning – and ultimately – its true meaning and understanding.
This story I wish to tell is the story of the coming of Jesus and the other two important elements of the story of his birth. I would also like to do this in three parts. Those two other elements of course are the star of crossing – or star of Bethlehem; and the three wise men. I will concentrate my references from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, specifically the book of Matthew.

The Star of Bethlehem

I will start with the element of the story that seems to be the most important, as it begins the story of Jesus arrival, that is the all telling star. Some have speculated that is was a conjunction of planets on the constellation of Pisces; that is of the FISH. Some have said that it was a comet, possibly Halley's comet, and others have even speculated that is was a super nova, first of course by our champion of elliptical orbits: Johannes Kepler. Much has been speculated about this star. However, let us reflect and concentrate as to what is reported in the KJV bible. To set the stage:

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star
in the east, and are come to worship him.

The above sets the stage. Jesus was born in the days of Herod (the dastardly villain), and then three wise men came looking to worship him.

Now, after the stage is set, things get interesting, listen:


2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.

2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

So, everyone is in an uproar. Everyone is troubled. WHY? Something tells me that the star is early. Let us also remember that the star of Bethlehem has been depicted as a comet. That is, a bright "star" that has a tail. Thus, a fast moving celestial body.
King Herod gathered scribes, which is an important wording. Scribes would have access to all the kingdom records. Why would recorded events be of importance to the King during a time as this? Why would records be important to the "wise men" – also known of the time as astrologers or magi (those dealing in things magical)? Indeed, WHY?

The answer is staring us in the face.

The bible is taking into account that we, the reader, have an understanding that thousands upon thousands of years of historical records were kept by mankind in the ancient Summerian culture (and others) of the ever-important - and ever reoccurring "Star of Crossing". As told to me, the Bible is, "one book of many" – meaning – do not discount the others!

Thus: The king, the wise men (astrologers), and the scribes with all their astronomical recorded events are preoccupied with the star of crossing’s arrival.

2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared.

Diligently! Diligently, on their backs so to speak – the king wanted to know WHEN the star appeared AND – while not mentioned in the bible (yet implied: "gathered all the chief priests and scribes") – HOW does this reflect on the previous records. The difference in timing makes or breaks the world in this aspect. All of the kingdom was troubled. Everyone can see it, witness it – it’s a tangible truth that can not be escaped. This was a timed event remember – that is, this star of prophecy – it was recorded and foretold to happen over and over - for thousands of thousands of years – and whether or not is was early or late was of GREAT importance to everyone – including the kings. The "wise men" – the astrologers, and the scribes would have a very keen interest in regards to the star being early or not. After all, it was an astrological event that would have happened every twenty five hundred years or so. The star, showing up quite early, in a precession of continually showing up early (as recorded) would tell them all they needed to know.

Remember: "…he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." We can understand why Herod would be troubled – for a new king was to arrive – but all of Jerusalem as well? Would this not be a time of celebration immediately? But no, it isn’t – everyone is troubled at first with the appearance of the star.

In Matthew 2:8 the king sends his astrologers out to follow the star to the location of the child’s birth, while he states he wishes to worship him – we all know – biased as readers by his previous actions – that he only wishes to slay him. But back to the matter at hand – the star. Let us see if we can really understand the key phrase here:


2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which
they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where
the young child was.

The key phrase of course is: "…went before them…". It literally led them along. Let us consider the location of the wise men – they where to the east of Bethlehem, east of Jerusalem, in Babylon. The rough estimate of travel distance between Babylon and Jerusalem is six hundred miles – to the West. Let us consider this fun fact: "Riding camels" can travel up to 100 miles in one day. For the wise men to follow a "star", over a distance of six hundred miles to Bethlehem west from Babylon, would mean that they would have had to travel day and night – until finally the star faded from sight and there journey was complete. If the wise men where to follow this star over a distance of roughly six hundred miles, they would have followed this "star" for six days, and on the seventh day…

2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had
opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense and myrrh

As a side note, I love the above verse. It has nothing to do with the star of Bethlehem. It instills peace in my heart, for the following verse(s) show what witnessing the child could do to men of good hearts. Well discuss that in part two.

So, to recap:
A "star" appears, the star of prophecy – and all of the sudden the most powerful king of the land calls for his astrologer’s, priests and scribes. The fact that Herod called for astrologers is one thing, yet – to call for scribes indicates he was looking at historical records!

He sends forth the astrologers– and they follow the star from Babylon west to Bethlehem – roughly six hundred miles away. This journey, by camel would take six days, finally reaching their destination to worship the child on the seventh day.

What could be in the sky that would be illuminated enough for three astrologers to follow for six days worth of travel? Additionally, the star "went before them" – east to west!

What could possibly travel in the sky for six days traveling east to west?

A planet of elliptical orbit perhaps? Could it be the "Star of crossing" from ancient Sumerian lore?

Stay tuned for part 2… …The three wise guys.