The early visitors to Jesus’ life reveal profound lessons about His identity and mission. The humble shepherds were the first to witness Jesus’ birth, emphasizing that God’s message of salvation is for all people, regardless of status. The Magi, wise men from the East, recognized Jesus as a king and presented Him with gifts symbolizing His divine nature, kingship, and future suffering. Simeon and Anna, devout individuals in the temple, further affirmed Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, highlighting the fulfillment of God’s promises. These encounters showcase how Jesus’ significance was acknowledged by diverse individuals from various backgrounds.
Each visitor’s recognition of Jesus enriches our understanding of His mission, which transcended boundaries and embraced all people. While Herod’s hostile reaction foreshadowed the opposition Jesus would face, the welcoming responses of the shepherds, Magi, Simeon, and Anna emphasize that Jesus’ message of hope and salvation is universal. As you reflect on these early visits, take a moment to consider how their responses to Jesus deepen your understanding of His life and the scope of His mission. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the significance of these encounters.
When it comes to the early life of Jesus, the Bible provides intriguing stories that continue to capture our imagination. One of the most remarkable events is the visit of various individuals and groups to the young Jesus. These visits not only emphasize His significance but also reveal the diversity of people who recognized His importance from the very beginning. Let’s delve into the details of who visited Jesus as a child and the profound implications of these encounters.
The Shepherds: First Witnesses to the Birth
The first visitors to see Jesus were shepherds, a group of humble, hardworking men. According to the Gospel of Luke, an angel appeared to these shepherds as they watched their flocks at night. The angel brought them extraordinary news: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, NIV).
The shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem to find the baby. There, they found Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angel had described. After witnessing this miraculous event, the shepherds spread the word about what they had seen, and all who heard it were amazed (Luke 2:17-18, NIV).
Why Shepherds?
You might wonder why God chose shepherds to be the first to visit Jesus. Shepherds were considered lowly and unimportant by society’s standards. By revealing Jesus’ birth to them first, God demonstrated that His message of salvation was for everyone, regardless of social status. It was a powerful symbol of inclusivity and divine love.
The Magi: Wise Men from the East
Another significant visit to the young Jesus was made by the Magi, often referred to as the Wise Men. This story is found in the Gospel of Matthew. The Magi were likely scholars or astrologers from Persia or Arabia, guided by a mysterious star. They traveled a great distance, following the star that they believed announced the birth of a king.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2, NIV). King Herod, disturbed by the news of a potential rival, sought more information and directed the Magi to Bethlehem. He also secretly plotted to kill the child.
The star led the Magi to the house where Jesus was. When they saw the child with His mother Mary, they bowed down and worshiped Him. They presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11, NIV).
Significance of the Magi’s Visit
The visit of the Magi is rich with symbolism. Their journey signifies the recognition of Jesus’ kingship by the Gentiles, showing that His mission was universal. The gifts they brought also held special meanings:
- Gold: Representing Jesus’ royal status.
- Frankincense: Symbolizing His divine nature.
- Myrrh: Foreshadowing His suffering and death, as myrrh was used for embalming.
Simeon and Anna: Recognizing the Messiah
Two other notable individuals who visited the young Jesus were Simeon and Anna. This event is recorded in Luke 2:22-38 when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as was customary under Jewish law.
Simeon
Simeon was a righteous and devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32, NIV).
Simeon’s words highlighted Jesus’ role as the Savior for all people, both Jews and Gentiles.
Anna
Anna, a prophetess, was also present at the temple. She was an elderly widow who spent her days worshiping, fasting, and praying there. Upon seeing Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38, NIV).
The Temple Visits
The encounters with Simeon and Anna underscored Jesus’ identity and mission. Their recognition of Him as the Messiah affirmed His divine purpose and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Herod: The Unwelcome Response
While the visits of the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, and Anna were filled with joy and reverence, King Herod’s reaction was starkly different. Upon learning from the Magi about the birth of a new “king of the Jews,” Herod felt threatened. He deceitfully asked the Magi to report back to him once they found the child, pretending he wanted to worship Him too (Matthew 2:8, NIV).
However, after being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the Magi took another route home. Enraged, Herod ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, attempting to eliminate Jesus (Matthew 2:16, NIV). This tragic event, known as the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah about the mourning in Ramah (Matthew 2:17-18, NIV).
Conclusion
The visitors to Jesus as a child ranged from humble shepherds to foreign scholars, from devout temple worshipers to a paranoid king. Each visit played a significant role in revealing Jesus’ identity and the universal scope of His mission. The shepherds and Magi recognized Him as the Savior, Simeon and Anna affirmed His divine purpose, and Herod’s hostility foreshadowed the opposition He would face.
These stories remind us that Jesus’ message of hope and salvation is for everyone, regardless of background or status. As you reflect on these early visitors to Jesus, consider how their diverse responses and recognitions of Him enrich our understanding of His life and mission.
FAQs About Who Visited Jesus as a Child
1. Who were the first visitors to see Jesus after His birth?
The first visitors to see Jesus were shepherds. An angel announced His birth to them while they were tending their flocks at night, and they went to Bethlehem to find Jesus lying in a manger, as described in Luke 2:8-20.
2. Why were shepherds chosen to visit Jesus first?
Shepherds were chosen to visit Jesus first to signify that God’s message of salvation is for everyone, regardless of social status. Their humble position highlights the inclusivity of Jesus’ mission.
3. Who were the Magi, and why did they visit Jesus?
The Magi, also known as the Wise Men, were scholars or astrologers from the East who followed a star that led them to Jesus. They visited to worship Him and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which symbolized Jesus’ royal status, divine nature, and future suffering.
4. What significance did the gifts from the Magi hold?
- Gold: Represented Jesus’ kingship.
- Frankincense: Symbolized His divine nature.
- Myrrh: Foreshadowed His suffering and death, as it was used for embalming.
5. Who were Simeon and Anna, and how did they recognize Jesus?
Simeon and Anna were devout individuals who encountered Jesus at the temple when Mary and Joseph brought Him there for the purification rites. Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized Jesus as the Messiah and praised God. Anna, a prophetess, also recognized Him and spoke about Him to others awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-38).
6. What was King Herod’s reaction to the news of Jesus’ birth?
King Herod felt threatened by the news of a new “king of the Jews.” He deceitfully asked the Magi to report back to him about Jesus’ location, intending to kill Him. When the Magi did not return, Herod ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem two years old and under, in an attempt to eliminate Jesus (Matthew 2:1-16).
7. Why did the Magi not return to Herod after visiting Jesus?
The Magi did not return to Herod after visiting Jesus because they were warned in a dream not to go back to him. They took another route home to avoid Herod’s evil intentions (Matthew 2:12).
8. How do these visits to Jesus as a child highlight His significance?
These visits highlight Jesus’ significance by showing that people from different backgrounds recognized and honored Him. Shepherds, symbolizing the humble and lowly, and the Magi, representing the learned and wealthy, both acknowledged Him. Simeon and Anna’s recognition in the temple further affirmed His divine purpose, while Herod’s hostility foreshadowed the opposition Jesus would face.
9. What can we learn from the diverse visitors to Jesus?
The diverse visitors to Jesus teach us that His message and mission are universal. His birth was acknowledged by both the humble and the wise, the devout and the foreign, emphasizing that Jesus came to bring salvation to all people, regardless of their background or status.
10. How do these early stories of Jesus’ visitors enrich our understanding of His mission?
These early stories enrich our understanding of Jesus’ mission by illustrating the broad and inclusive nature of His work. They show that from the very beginning, Jesus was recognized as the Savior by a wide range of individuals, indicating that His message of hope and salvation is meant for everyone.
