Chapter 2 begins by introducing the Three Wise Men/Scholars from the East/Magi. Obviously these people were not Jewish; it is interesting to note that they are not looked down on or disregarded. In fact, it seems that they are regarded in high esteem. First lesson, education puts you in a different class that people respect. The Wise Men did not know Jewish tradition, so they did not know to go straight to Bethlehem (Herod didn't even know this, he had to ask local priest/historians). There appears to be some debate as to the nationality of the Wise Men, but I don't think it matters. God is apparent in the world and all of us have the ability to pick up on His actions in the world if we pay attention. The Wise Men were in tune with nature and astronomy. The Old Testament says the trees of the field will clap their hands and the rocks will cry out. Apparently stars will shine forth as well. Second lesson, God is continually talking to us! Later God warned them in a dream to leave Jesus's house by a different route as Herod wanted to harm the child.
God likes to communicate in dreams. He speaks to Joseph in dreams (Marry Mary, leave Bethlehem for Egypt, come home Herod's dead, Go to Galilee, not Judea). He also talked to the Wise Men in dreams. More evidence of God communicating with us even before we seek him out. How many of us have had dreams that we disregarded? What does God want for us? He will obviously (literally) change the direction of our lives if we pay attention. God has His ways of making sure that we are in the right place at the right time if we listen to Him. I personally have had visions that could have only come from God/Jesus, some of which have not been too subtle. Sometimes I hear God through other people when they say something that seems out of character, or maybe a little too insightful based on their experiences. God loves to communicate. We need to be open to Him and not so quick to dismiss. What if Herod dismissed the Wise Men and considered them to be crazy superstitious foreigners? What if Joseph blamed his dreams on that bad falafel he ate at the market? Many times we don't want to consider that it is God talking if it means change for us (which most times it does).
I don't quite understand the purpose of killing all the two year olds when Herod found out that he had been duped. Matthew says to fufill prophesy...Was this to set up some documented proof and to connect the dots of prophesy? Jesus says I was born in Bethlehem in this year, and somebody else says, "wasn't that the time when Herod killed all the boys?", and Jesus says "Yes, God told my Dad to leave for Eygypt during the night before the soldiers came". Why does the coming of the Savior initially result in the death of innocent children? What did "Rachel" gain from this? There is something to be learned here about our leaders. Not only was Herod afraid of the news about the new King of Isreal, but all of Jerusalhem with him. There wasn't even television or radio to spread the bad news. Countries will suffer consequences with the bad or misquided decisions of their leader. Be prayerful when you vote!
Chapter 3 brings us out in the desert where John is preaching and baptising people. People are coming out in large crowds to hear John and to be baptised into a new life. People are drawn to the truth, even if it's being told by a hippie in the desert. The religious leaders came as well, but not because they thought John was preaching truth from God, but because everybody else was coming out. Much like politicians making a good show where the crowds are. John makes a point of singling the religious leaders out and saying that what he is preaching is a lifestyle change where God lives through you and your life shows evidence of growth and change. A dead stagnant life will result in a firey death.
Next, Jesus appears and asks to be baptised by John. Jesus assures him that this is what God wants, and it will make things right. So John does it, and God shows his pleasure by sending down a dove to land on Jesus, and audibly says "This is my Son, choosen by Me and marked by my love". What I get from this is that we have to be "covered" in God's direction and love. I have always thought that baptism was more for the benefit of those witnessing than for the individual. Certainly true in the case of Jesus, from what I can see.
