From our earliest memories of the Christmas story, we have heard of the “Magi” (Wise Men) who came to visit the Christ child, but what do we really know about them? Where did they come from? Why were they interested in a king born in Palestine? Who were they? There is a great deal of myth & mystery about them. Some have even tried to ascribe names to them (Gaspar, Melchior, Belthazar). Why three? There may have been 30.
Theses Wise Men Were: Magi, not magicians; Astronomers, not astrologers; Scientists, not wizards. They were probably Religious Philosophers from Persia who had become familiar with Jewish prophecies through contact with the writings of Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezra and other Jews scattered throughout the east. They must have been familiar with Scripture.
Maybe they were looking for someone who would bring world peace and in their search for answers read God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:18 In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Maybe they had read Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the govern-ment shall be upon His shoulder. and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
They may have read from the books of the law in Numbers24:17 I shall see him but not now. I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Revelation 22:16 says Jesus is the bright and morning star.
They may have also read Isaiah 60:3 And the gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Although these magi were gentiles, the fulfillment of God’s promise to the Prophets and to Abraham greatly interested them. It must have been a magnificent sight when these wise men arrived in Jerusalem! Despite little information about them, we can easily tell why they were called wise men by observing what they did.
THEY WERE CALLED WISE MEN BECAUSE...
#1. THEY SENSED GOD’S LEADING TO FOLLOW THE STAR (v 2, 9). Their Leading Began With God’s Revelation, And They Continued by Faith. Numbers 24:17
Wise Men Have Always Sensed God’s Leading - (Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses)
We Cannot Be Certain How Began Their Journey. They must have been like, The children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times (I Chron-12:32).
They Must Have Been Like Simeon in Luke 2:25-26 Behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation or Israel. and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Are We As Sensitive To God’s Leading? The truly wise man or woman will sense God’s leading! His leading comes from the Holy Spirit.
How Many Times Has God’s Spirit Spoken To Your Heart? We have the light of God’s Word.
THEY WERE CALLED WISE MEN BECAUSE...
#2. THEY RESPONDED IN FAITH (v 2b) We have seen His star and are come.
It Is One Thing To Know God’s Leading; It Is Something Else to Follow It.
To Often We Hear God’s Calling Without Following. We’re told, The just shall live by faith.
These Wise Men Must Have Experienced Many Difficulties, Ridicule, and Financial Sacrifice.
When Faith Is Active, These Things Are Secondary To Fulfilling God’s Purpose. It’s Always Been That Way. Hebrews 11
THEY WERE CALLED WISE MEN BECAUSE...
#3. THEY OBEYED GOD’S WORD (v 12).
Sometime During Their Westward Journey They Decided To Stop At Jerusalem And Seek Additional Information. They must have been unaware of what the prophet Micah had said (3:2). But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
In Matthew 2 We Find The Magi Inquiring of Herod And The Religious Leaders Concerning The Whereabouts of The Messiah. They were informed that He would be born in Bethlehem.
Amazingly, The Religious Crowd Stayed In Jerusalem while the Wise Men were obedient to the Scripture and went looking for the Christ in Bethlehem, the city of David.
This Is True of Men Today: They have the truth but do not obey it!
To Find Christ Today, You Must Come To CALVARY!
THEY WERE CALLED WISE MEN BECAUSE...
#4. THEY WORSHIPED JESUS (v 10-11). These verses tell us..
They Had Not Been Looking For An Ordinary King! They had obviously been searching for the King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s.
We Believe This Because of The Gifts They Brought! Gold represents Christ divine being; He layed aside His eternal wealth for our benefit. Frankincense represents the fragrance of life, which He came to give; Myrrh represents the death of Christ He came to endure.
We Should Give Ourselves To Him As A Living Sacrifice!
THEY WERE CALLED WISE MEN BECAUSE...
#5. THEY WENT HOME ANOTHER WAY (v 12).
If You Say That You Know The Savior, But Your Life Has Not Been Changed; You Have Never Really Met Jesus Christ. Persons who have met the Savior go away different than the way they came.
WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!
