“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)
Jesus’ birth did not arouse much attention. The gospel of Luke tells of a group of shepherds who came to worship Him. They had heard the news from an angel. But when they in their turn spread the news in the city of Bethlehem, the people were just “amazed”. They did not come to see for themselves, let alone to worship this Baby as King.
However, the gospel of Matthew tells of “wise men” who came to Jerusalem to search for a newborn Jewish king. They had seen a special star announcing his birth, and had now come to worship him.
These men were foreigners, non-Jews, living far away in the east. They did not know the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus. They did not know God’s Word, but studied the stars to understand what was happening on earth — something God did not encourage at all (see Isaiah 47:13-14). So, they were not likely candidates to visit Baby Jesus! But these outsiders were among the first people ever to recognize Jesus as King.
They undertook a long and dangerous journey, asked for more information in Jerusalem, and finally found the Child they were seeking for. People who once were far off, found the Savior. And this still happens — see Ephesians 2:13. God invites everybody to come to Him!