Matthew 2 v 1 - 12 WHY THE WISE-MEN WERE WISE
Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat If it had been ‘Wise Women’ instead of ‘Wise Men’, they would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts from Baby’s-R-Us, including nappies, wipes, bibs and formula. But that’s an entirely different story…
4 Reasons WHY THE WISE-MEN WERE WISE
I They were wise men because of the Person they Sought. THEY SOUGHT AND FOUND THE SAVIOUR (v1-8)
vs 2 Saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.
A) They were looking for a Man.
B) They were looking for a Monarch.
C) They were looking for the Messiah.
Over 300 prophesies of the upcoming Messiah
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Micah 5:2 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. Daniel's Influence On Babylon & Persia (Magi - Magician)
a. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PERSONALLY
The wise men didn’t send someone else to find Him. They sought Him out personally. It doesn’t matter if your grandmother knew Him, or if your mom knows Him. It doesn’t matter if your spouse knows Him. You must seek Him and find Him for yourself.
b. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PASSIONATELY
This search for Christ wasn’t a passing fancy. It was a life long, passionate search.
c. WE SHOULD SEARCH FOR HIM PATIENTLY
The Bible likens us to be long distance runners whose goal is to finish our coarse. Be patient in your walk with God, and don’t let discouragement defeat you. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
They came - at the right period, to the right person for the right purpose (worship)
II They were wise men because of the Perils they Fought
A) They faced a vast distance. (1,000 miles or so -40 day journey). Traveling was extremely difficult in those times. There were hostile tribes to avoid, the broad rivers of the Tigris and the Euphrates to cross, and trackless deserts to cross, but they made nothing of difficulty or danger.
B) They faced varied dangers. (vs 8) And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. C) They faced a vicious discouragement THEIR RESPONSE
A. THEY REFUSED TO TURN BACK
B. THEY REQUESTED COUNSEL
C. THEY RELIED ON THE WORD OF GOD
D. THEY RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY
III They were wise men because of the Plan they were Taught
A) Their Reading of the Scriptures.
Dan. 9:25-27 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
B) Their Revelation of the Star.
Matt. 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy. I. It Was a Guiding Star II. It Was a Guarding Star 1) It Verified the Promise of the Scriptures 2) It Signified the Presence of the Saviour 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. III. It Was a Gladdening Star 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 1) The Gladness of Finding Christ 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
2) The Gladness of Following Christ 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
C) Their Restraint of the Spirit.
“The Holy Spirit has one major job, and that is to lead people to Jesus”
IV They were wise men because of the Presents they Brought. (vs 11) (a) Their RECOGNITION Of The Master 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: (b) Their RESPONSE To The Master. and fell down and worshipped him:
"We have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." The twelve-disciples responded and left all to follow Christ. Stephen responded and was stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus responded and became a missionary of the cross. Martin Luther responded and gave rise to the Reformation. John Wesley responded and journeyed tirelessly all over Britain & Ireland. . David Livingstone responded and traveled to far off Africa. William Carey, the shoe cobbler, responded by going to India and pioneering the way for hundreds of other missionaries to follow. (c) Their REVERENCE For The Master 11 and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Gold The Gift for Their KING Frankincense Gift For Their God, Symbol of Prayer
Frankincense is highly fragrant when burned, and was, therefore, used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. Myrrh Gift for Their Priest, He makes sacrifice for sin.-Burial
Myrrh represents bitterness, at least to the taste. In fact, the name itself was given to it on account of its great bitterness.
Myrrh was used chiefly in embalming the dead. It Underscored Christ’s humanity.
