The Visit Of The Magi Series

THE CHRISTMAS STORY: THE VISIT OF THE MAGI

A. WISE MEN

ILLUSTRATION:

A church put on its annual CHRISTMAS PROGRAM where the children ACT out the Christmas Story. The scene opened with MARY and JOSEPH in a stable admiring the baby JESUS lying in a manger. Then comes the SHEPHERDS walking in with their STAFFS, followed by smaller CHILDREN

dressed up like SHEEP; and they all KNEEL before baby Jesus.

The next to enter were the three WISEMEN dressed in ROBES and wearing CROWNS—one of them was advertising Burger King. Then they began PRESENTING their GIFTS to BABY Jesus—first GOLD and then FRANKINCENSE. And as the last WISEMAN placed his GIFT of MYRRH

before Jesus he, at the bewilderment of Mary and Joseph. suddenly SHOUTED OUT, “8 x 8 equals 64”.

The people in the audience was, at first, BAFFLED and then some started GIGGLING, which clearly UPSET the BOY. He turns to the audience and says, “What are you laughing at? I AM one of the THREE SMART MEN.”

1. We have all heard the story of WISE MEN from the East following the STAR that led to Jesus, the new

born King.

2. However, as we will STUDY today in Matthew, much of what we heard is not VERIFIED in Scripture.

a. It has been assumed that there are THREE wise men since that’s how many GIFTS were given to Jesus, but Scripture merely speaks of a plurality of WISE MEN and no specific number is given.

b. Also, according to the NATIVITY SCENES that are prevalent this time of year, the WISE MEN are

seen WORSHIPPING the baby Jesus in the MANGER right along with the SHEPHERDS.

COMMENT:

However, according to Matthew, Mary and Joseph are no longer in the BARN but now living in a

HOUSE by the time the MAGI arrive. Therefore, Jesus is no longer a new-born baby but at least several months old and possibly closer to TWO-YEARS-OLD. Especially in light of the fact that “King Herod wanted boys 2 years and under to be killed in hopes of eliminating the Christ child” – Matthew 2:16.

c. Furthermore, the MAGI are often referred to as KINGS. We sing the song: “We Three Kings.”

COMMENT:

There is nothing in Matthew’s account that indicates that they were ROYALTY. But some believe that this is a fulfillment of prophecy from Psalm 72:10- “The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to Him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present Him gifts.”

They may have been WEALTHY and of NOBILITY because of the expensive GIFTS they gave.

B. What we know about the MAGI is that they were from the East, which could include Babylon (modern day

Iraq), Persia (modern day Iran) or the Arabian Desert.

1. The word used for “MAGI” refers to a group of people known as scholars, astrologers, and interpreters of dreams. They were also part of a Priestly Order associated with Eastern religions and philosophies.

2. These were men whom have read and studied about the coming of Christ—the King of Jews.

COMMENT:

No doubt they knew the ancient teachings of the prophet Balaam, whom some believe was the founder of the Magi, when he spoke about the coming Messiah: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter (King) will rise out of Israel…”- Num. 24:17a.

C. As men who studied the STARS the MAGI saw something unusual in the SKY.

1. They believed it to be the STAR that would not only be a SIGN of the coming of the King of Jews, but

would lead them to Him.

2. By FAITH they head out on a long arduous journey, traveling hundreds of miles, to find and WORSHIP

the King of kings.

MESSAGE:

I. VISIT WITH KING HEROD- Matthew 2:1-8 (READ)

A. We first find the Magi in Jerusalem going around asking for DIRECTIONS—“Where is the One who

has been born King of the Jews?”- v. 2.

1. Again, over a year has passed and apparently no one in Jerusalem has heard the news about the

BIRTH of the Messiah.

COMMENT:

I am sure the MAGI must have found this rather STRANGE. They had been traveling for MONTHS to come WORSHIP the new born KING, but the people in Jerusalem aren’t even AWARE that the Messiah had been BORN and LIVING just 5½ miles down the road. (Bethlehem 5.7 miles)

2. V. 3- “When King Herod heard this he was DISTURBED, and all Jerusalem with him.”

a. The CHRIST has come into the world, and they’re …. “DISTURBED”.

b. You’d think they’d RUSH out to see if they could find Him.

COMMENT:

The promised MESSIAH, the One whom the PROPHETS had spoken about, has COME. Yet the people aren’t EXCITED. They aren’t JOYFUL. They are “DISTURBED” about the NEWS.