Magi Series

Introduction

The account of the Magi, also called wise men, who came from afar to worship the one who was born king of the Jews, is a familiar one. The account is recorded only in the Gospel of Matthew. While it is a familiar story, it is also a fascinating account of men about whom we know very little. Nevertheless, their appearance in the story of Jesus’ birth causes me to wonder for several reasons.

First, there is the wonder of the incredible zeal of the Magi, whose search for the “one…born king of the Jews” compelled them to travel from a distant land to worship a foreign king, who was still in his mother’s arms. And so far as we are informed by our text, this search was prompted by the appearance of a star.

Second, I am appalled by the irrational jealousy of King Herod the Great toward an infant, born in an obscure little village. I am horrified by the cunning cruelty of Herod, who was willing to kill all of the infants in the vicinity of Bethlehem to eliminate the threat of one child to his kingship.

And third, I find myself struck by an even greater wonder at the indifferent response of the entire city of Jerusalem. The Magi diligently searched for the infant king to present him with gifts and to worship him. Herod the Great also eagerly sought to find the child, so that he could put him to death. But the vast majority of those living in Jerusalem were seemingly unwilling to travel five short miles south of Jerusalem to Bethlehem where they could find their promised Messiah.

This text has much to say to us about our response to the king of the Jews who has come as the Savior of the world. Our response will undoubtedly be like that of either the Magi, Herod, or Jerusalem. And how we respond has eternal implications.

Scripture

Let us read Matthew 2:1-12:

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod summoned the Magi secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Lesson

Today, let us consider three responses to the birth of Jesus.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Response of the Magi

2. The Response of Herod

3. The Response of Jerusalem

I. The Response of the Magi

First, let us consider the response of the Magi.

Matthew’s account of the Magi is garbed in a cloak of mystery. While there is much we would like to know about them, we are often left to speculate on those matters that are not elaborated on in the text.

We are not certain about the precise meaning of the term “Magi,” nor do we know where “from the east” they came. It is necessary to set aside almost everything we think we know about the mysterious Magi, because our thinking has been shaped almost entirely by Christmas carols and cards that are based more on imagination than revelation.

If what we can know for certain is that which is contained in Scripture, we know very little indeed about the Magi. We do not know the number of the Magi, their names, or the size of the party that traveled to Jerusalem. We do not know the source of their information, other than the fact that they saw some unusual phenomenon in the sky, which may or may not have been a star.