The full text of this tract is shown below in the KJV version. (Do you want to print this tract in a different version than the one listed? Contact us and let us know what you're looking for—we may be able to create the alternate version for you at no charge.)

We find the phrase “The young Child and His mother” repeated five times in Matthew chapter 2 (see verses 11,13,14,20,21). Generally we would say, “A mother and her child,” as the mother is usually more important in our minds and takes precedence over her young child. But notice how carefully Scripture puts it the other way in regards to Jesus.

The wise men who came from the East to Jerusalem were guided by a star in their search for Jesus. They did not ask for His mother Mary, but enquired, “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” (Matthew 2:2). When they came into the house where He was, “they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him” (Matthew 2:11).

The mother was highly honored indeed (Luke 1:28) to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of God so as to be the mother of our Saviour according to the flesh, but she was not the object of their search. Why did these wise men worship the young Child? They recognized Him as being born King of the Jews. Was He not the One foretold before by the prophet Isaiah as being the Child born, the Son given, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)? Would ever a Child be given such names by heaven were He not “God manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16)?

How beautiful it is to note in the sacred narrative that the Child is not only mentioned before the mother, but is also the object of worship as being infinitely above her, as God is above all. Thus these wise men, who worshipped Jesus and offered Him gifts when He was a child in His mother’s arms in His perfect manhood dependent on her for every need, show us the blessed truths that the eternal “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) and “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10).

Does the reader know this One as God incarnate, who was bruised for your iniquities (Isaiah 53:5,6), who died for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4) and was raised for your justification (Romans 4:25)? Have you trusted this Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour? Is He the object of your worship as He was with the wise men? All who are truly “wise” will bow before Him now confessing Him as the One who alone is able to deliver from sin and death. He came for this very purpose. However, any who do not believe on Him in this fleeting day of grace will be made to bow before Him as Judge and be forever banished from His glorious presence to bear the punishment for their sins (Romans 14:11,12; Revelation 20:11-15).

When Herod sought the death of the child Jesus by destroying all that were two years old and under, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, and bade him “Arise, and take the young Child and his mother, and flee into Egypt” (Matthew 2:13). Here the angel is careful to put words in that special order, emphasizing the wonder of our Lord’s incarnation.

In process of time Herod died and Archelaus his son reigned in his stead. Again the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph saying, “Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for they are dead which sought the young Child’s life” (Matthew 2:20). Again the words are carefully put in this order.

Does not inspiration shine brightly on the sacred page? Is it not beautiful to see the careful way in which Scripture guards the truth as to the Person of Christ? He is worthy of our trust and our worship. —A.J.P.

Back to top of page