Matt 2:1-12 Lessons from the Wise Men
I. Their Identification 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
a) The Miss perception of this Group ie. Their Sum - 3 gifts - 3 men
Their Search - Came to Bethlehem and found a toddler in a house
Their Sense - Paying tribute to a King only
b) The Location of this Group - prob came from Persia; Iraq.
C) The Vocation of this Group - priests and advisers as in Daniel.
II. Their Confusion
a) Their Word 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
reading the prophecy of Balaam: Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
1 - Rising Star “Kingly Authenticity”- he would be the anointed king.
2 - Royal Sceptre “Kingly Authority” - The King of the Jews.
b) Their Way - 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
c) Their Worries - 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
1 The Concern of the City is Noted
2 The Conception of Christ is Needful 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. - 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.
d) Their Wiles 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.
1 The Diligence of the Stars Appearance - It's Timing
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
2 The Deception of the Saviour's Adoration - It's Testing
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.
III. Their Jubilation
a) Guided “Precisely” 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.
b) Guarded “Pre - eminently” c) Gladdened “Personally”
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
IV. Their Adoration
a) Their Witness 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
b) Their Worship and fell down, and worshipped him:
c) Their Wisdom 11 and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
1. Gold “The Royalty of Christ” - Their King
2. Frankincense “The Divinity of Christ” in worship - Their God
3. Myrrh “The Humanity of Christ” - Their Saviour
used in preparing dead bodies before being buried.
V. Their Transformation
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
a) Their Dream - 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod,
b) Their Departure - "departed into their own country another way"
