A Visit to Bethlehem Series
Wisemen: Dissecting the Magi’s Gifts
Matthew 2:1-11
Dec. 9, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction
A Herod was opposing the King
1 Herod was all about keeping the throne at all costs.
a Killed his favorite wife (had 9-10) & his two kids because he doubted their loyalty to him (accused them of treason).
b Wise men show up seeking to worship the one born King of the Jews. "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matt 2:2 (NASB)
c These wise men cause more than a small stir with Herod.
2 Herod says he wants to do the same thing. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." Matt 2:8 (NASB)
a Although Herod said the same thing as the wise men, their intentions were not the same.
b Herod wasn’t giving up the throne (had no intention of ever bowing to Jesus, but he will).
3 You may be opposing the King, but one day you will bow/confess.
a Every throne of every nation, of every heart will one day be occupied by King Jesus.
b Oppose, obstruct, resist, withstand the King is coming!
B The priests were ignoring the King
1 Herod went to the religious people of his day for answers, & they knew all the answers. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Matt 2:4 (NASB)
a Quoted Scripture chapter & verse, but didn’t obey it.
b They pointed to the Savior (5 miles away), but didn’t go themselves to worship Him.
2 People will turn to the church, church people when they have no other place to turn. (IL) 9/11 surge
a We church folk can cite chapter & verse, talk a pretty good talk-it doesn’t take long for the lost to see we don’t believe what we say we believe.
b They come & they see we’re living in defeat, not victory!
aa No mountain-moving faith, no hope, no healing, no unity, no difference in divorce rate, no difference in world views.
bb We don’t believe what we say we believe-why?
c If we’d been following the Magi to the Messiah to be in God’s presence instead of hanging out with priests at the temple talking about how good things used to be.
C The wise men were seeking the King (...& they found Him!)
1 The most famous men in history to attend a baby shower brought gifts of gold, frankincense, & myrrh.
a Gold was a gift you would bring to pay tribute to a king or ruler.
aa The wise men were acknowledging the royalty of Jesus-King.
bb Jesus is King of kings! Ruler over all the nations! King of the Universe
b Frankincense was what you’d bring to the temple to fill it with an aromatic mist representing praise & prayer.
aa It was part of the holy anointing oil of Exodus 30; burned with other things during the grain offering ’Then one of them shall lift up from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all the incense that is on the grain offering, and he shall offer it up in smoke on the altar, a soothing aroma, as its memorial offering to the LORD. Lev 6:15 (NASB), it was on the table of shewbread in the temple You shall put pure frankincense on each row that it may be a memorial portion for the bread, even an offering by fire to the LORD. Lev 24:7 (NASB), symbolic of religious fervor in Malachi For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts. Mal 1:11 (NASB)
bb Symbolic of Jesus as our High Priest Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Heb 4:14 (NASB)
c Myrrh was a part of the holy anointing oil of Exodus 30, but it was also something you’d take to a funeral.
aa They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. Mark 15:23 (NASB) Myrrh was mingled with the wine offered to Jesus on the cross, it was also used to anoint His corpse: CRUCIFIXION
bb The myrrh pointed to Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary.
2 The greatest gift the wise men gave Jesus wasn’t found in the gold, frankincense, or myrrh.
a They saw the star, left their homelands for a time, found the Christ, bowed down, & offered themselves.
b The wise men displayed faith of a similar caliber as the penitent thief crucified beside Jesus.
aa The thief saw a man dying a malefactor’s death & yet prayed to Him & called Him "Lord"-amazing faith!
bb The wise men saw a newborn baby on the lap of a poor woman & yet fell on their knees & worshiped Him & confessed that He was the Christ-amazing faith.
c Jesus wasn’t born to become King of the Jews, He was born King of the Jews (Lord of lords, King of kings, Savior, Lamb of God).
aa The Magi offered Him themselves
bb Jesus offered a gift right back. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB)
d Offer your sin to Jesus, He’ll forgive you! He’ll give you the gift of salvation in return.
Conclusion
A If you offer yourself to Jesus, He’ll take you!
1 He’s King, High Priest, Sacrificial Lamb
a He’ll forgive your sins & give you salvation
b He hasn’t asked for your gold, frankincense, or myrrh...confess your sin-life!
B Invitation
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
