29.03.2013 Views

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

narrative, <strong>the</strong>y had not seen <strong>of</strong> late, once more<br />

appeared on <strong>the</strong> horizon, <strong>and</strong> seemed to move<br />

before <strong>the</strong>m, till 4t stood over where <strong>the</strong> young<br />

child was'—^that is, <strong>of</strong> course, over Bethlehem,<br />

not over any special house in it. Whe<strong>the</strong>r at a turn<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> road, dose to Bethlehem, <strong>the</strong>y lost sight <strong>of</strong> it,<br />

or <strong>the</strong>y no longer heeded its position, since it had<br />

seemed to go before <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> goal that had been<br />

pointed out—for, surely, <strong>the</strong>y needed not <strong>the</strong> star to<br />

guide <strong>the</strong>m to Bethlehem—or whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> celestial<br />

phenomenon now disappeared, is nei<strong>the</strong>r stated in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Gospel-narrative, nor is, indeed, <strong>of</strong> any<br />

importance. Sufficient for <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>and</strong> for us: <strong>the</strong>y<br />

had been authoritatively directed to Bethlehem ; as<br />

<strong>the</strong>y had set out for it, <strong>the</strong> sidereal phenomenon had<br />

once more appeared; <strong>and</strong> it had seemed to go<br />

before <strong>the</strong>m, till it actually stood over Bethlehem.<br />

And, since in ancient times such extraordinary ^<br />

guidance' by a ' star' was matter <strong>of</strong> belief <strong>and</strong><br />

expectancy,' <strong>the</strong> Magi would, from <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

st<strong>and</strong>point, regard it as <strong>the</strong> fullest confirmation that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y had been rightly directed to Bethlehem—<strong>and</strong> *<br />

<strong>the</strong>y rejoiced with exceeding great joy.' It could

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!