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Messiah, King of Israel, Redeemer of the nation, son of David, heir of David’s throne, He was the great national hope; a hope that had been cherished age after age, and had not died out; nay, was now more cherished than ever because of present oppression, and because the time foretold was fast running out. Now wise men came from the far East telling them they had seen the star of their new-born King; now the Gentile came to say that he had heard of the glorious birth. Should they be troubled1? Should they not rejoice? Should they not say like Jacob, “I have waited for thy salvation,” or like Simeon, “Now let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” But the announcement that their hope is realised, their great national expectation fulfilled, occasions only trouble!