The Magi And Three Gifts Series

The Magi and Three Gifts

December 12, 2021

Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and 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.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Who are Magi? Why did they follow a star?

The Magi were educated men who understood Hebrew prophecies about the Messiah. They were Persian and probably came from modern-day Iran.

The Magi arrived at a house.

Why was King Herod disturbed?

The Magi probably arrived in Jerusalem with a cavalry of formidable men.

He was protecting his power and was willing to use violence to keep it.

Through a strategic marriage and a display of brutal betrayals and murders, Herod became “King of the Jews” at the age of 25.

Herod impressed Roman rulers with the way he collected taxes and suppressed revolts—two things Rome valued highly.

Genesis 1 – God created life

Genesis 3- Sin

Genesis 4 – Cain kills Abel

Genesis 6:11-13 NIV

“Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.”

Exodus 1:22 NIV

“Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live."

Matthew 2:16 NIV

“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under …”

In a dark and murderous world, Jesus came to give us light and life.

The world doesn’t need a sanitized Santa story. The world needs the Prince of Peace.

Herod had position, riches, and power, but he was disturbed. He had no peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Joy to the World, the Lord is come:

let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room.