Experieince The Joy Of The Magi

Experieince the Joy of the Magi

Intro: The background story of the Magi

Magi – this is the word from which we get “magician”. They were not kings, but were influential. They were really astronomers/astrologists, scientists, philosphers .

They came from the east – probably Babylon. This is significant as we look back at Scripture and see that Israel was sent to Babylon and a particular prophet named Daniel was included in the exiles. He rose to prominence in Babylon and through interpreting a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel saved the lives of the Magi and became numbered as one of them (see Daniel 2). It is worth noting that in Daniel 7 the Magi are not mentioned among those who had Daniel thrown in the lion’s den.

The magi of Jesus time however recognized that a King would be born in Judea and decided to follow the star to Judea.

The Magi could have known of the timing for the birth of Messiah through the writings of Daniel himself. A dream of Nebuchadnezzar and another of Daniel Himself both point to a king who would come to rule during the period of a certain kingdom that can be identified as the Roman empire. In addition. Daniel 9 gives rather precise timing through the prophecy of the 70 weeks. The prophecy accurately points to the crucifixion of Jesus. Another prophecy often seen as a help to the magi is one from Balam who was from the east and asked to curse Israel at the time of the Exodus. In Numbers 24:17 that states in part, “…A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” These prophecies provide some insight into how the Magi specifically could have put things together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the timing of the birth of Jesus.

It appears that the star was not guiding them through the entire journey, so the Magi logically go to Jerusalem and ask about the king. It seems they thought people there would know, but instead word gets to wicked king Herod, the representative of Rome, and asks his scribes about where the Messiah would be born and using Micah 5:2, they point to Bethlehem.

Because of Herod’s wickedness and fear of any challenge to his leadership, all Jerusalem is afraid of the questions of the Magi. Herod however invites them to dinner, learns when the star they were following appeared, tells them of Bethlehem and invites them to come back and let him know – lying that he would come to worship Jesus.

Legend has expanded this story to include the names of the kings and even to suggest that they are from three different cultures. Our nativies usually have the wise men at the manger when Scripture has the Magi come to a house some time after the birth.

This brief overview leads us to the part of the story we want to look at in Matt 2:9-12.

Matt 2:9-12 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:9-12

I. Overwhelming Joy in God’s revealed plan

Consider verses 9- 10

As they were leaving, the star “reappeared”. The fact it was not visible is seen in the Magi asking for the location and the fact that they did not point it out to Herod and the fact that its reappearance brought them great Joy.

v. 10 “when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

Did you catch that joy, first they rejoiced, that was not enough so they did so with joy, well, let’s make that “great joy” well, it was more than that, how about “exceedingly great joy” This is not just the English translations, it is an accurate translation of the Greek using multiple modifiers to express the joy.

MacArthur “It seems almost as if Matthew was at a loss of words to describe their extacy. (p.35)

The magi:

Their overwhelming joy is likely in part confirmation that their journey has not been in vain, but more importantly, it is a confirmation that they are following God’s lead. God Himself is faithfully guiding them.

Herod didn’t recognize the sign of the star – are we looking for God’s direction? Can we rejoice in the direction of the Lord? He had given them general direction in Babylon, and now when they