CHRISTMAS FOCUS
IN MATTHEW: MAGI
MATTHEW 2:1-12
READ Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
As we look at Matthew 2 and the people known as the Magi, three phrases caught my attention this year as I was reading the Christmas story.
I. PHRASE ONE: “KING OF THE JEWS”
This first phrase in the story of the Magi catches my attention because it is at the center of what Christmas is all about. As we think about this phrase, “king of the Jews,” I want us to look briefly at these travelers and who they were looking for.
In the story of Matthew 2, the Magi are men from the east who are wise advisors to kings, astronomers and sometimes astrologers, and men dedicated to medicine and natural science. These sky gazing men look into the heavens and see a new star appear and it directs them towards Jerusalem. There are many questions surrounding the Magi. There are many questions surrounding the star. Based on what we know about such men in other parts of the Bible, they would have been experts at watching the sky. They would have been experts in religious things. To be honest, most of the answers we find about the magi are actually best guesses. Here are some best guesses…
… They were probably representatives of the wise men of Babylon who were in the East.
… They were probably aware of the promised Messiah from their former leader, Daniel (Book of Daniel), and from the earlier oracle of others in the Old Testament such as Balaam (Numbers 24).
… Some wise men may have turned from their paganism to the worship of the true God and so they were watching for the signal in the Heavens that God had done something amazing and had kept His promise.
… They most likely knew to start their journey because of an appearance of the light sent from God.
Again, these are best guesses. We know that these men watched the sky and they saw a God-sent star which led them to Jerusalem looking for a king. The Virgin Mary was pregnant with an extraordinary child. The child to be born was the Son of God. This promised child to be born was also a child born in the lineage of King David. There are Old Testament prophecies which state that this child would be a king!
There are several passages which identify the child to be born as a king:
* Psalm 2:6-9: “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
* Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 11:10: “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.”
We know that these magi travelled to find the “king of the Jews” who was born. They knew exactly what their goal was which was to find the new king who had been born. They were watching the clues from God that they might find the promised child.
ILLUSTRATION… “Star Wars Monopoly” Saga Part 1 (p)
I remember one time in college a certain set of movies were coming out which were set a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. A new set of Star Wars movies, much like now, were coming out and there was all kind of merchandise. There were Star Wars tacos, cups, and probably even Yoda toilet paper. I had heard that there was even a Star Wars Monopoly game. Star Wars Monopoly!
I headed to my local shopping hub, Walmart, and proceeded into the store with a quick pace. I looked for the sign. The sign high above all the aisles which read “Toys and Games.” I saw it far in the distance in the back of the store. I then knew right where to go! I wove my way through the people with pajamas on and curlers in their hair and headed to the “toys and games” section. I kept my eye on the sign and knew exactly how to weave my way through the store. Once I got to the “toys and games” section I found the board games aisle and there was not one single “Star Wars Monopoly” game to be found. Not one single scrap of anything Star Wars!
Just then, a person with a blue vest with a “How can I help you?” tag came around the corner. I fervently asked if they had the “Star Wars Monopoly” game. The person pointed to a whole other part of the store. I walked that direction and I started to hear music. I started to see decals on the floor. There was a whole section of the store dedicated to Star Wars items. There were stuffed things, cups and plates, toys, and everything imaginable with Star Wars on it. I had followed the signs and had arrived at my local source for all things Star Wars.
And you know what? They didn’t have the game.
II. PHRASE TWO: “OVERJOYED”
The word “overjoyed” caught my eye probably because it is the exact opposite of the way Herod and Jerusalem reacted (which we talked about last week). I think it also caught my eye because it is not a word that is used often in the Scriptures. In fact, it is a word that is only used 5 times in the entire Bible.
The first time someone was overjoyed was in the Book of Daniel. The prophet Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den and he survives because of the intervention of God Almighty. Daniel 6:21-23 says, “Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
The second time someone was overjoyed was in this passage.
The third time “overjoyed” was used is in the time after the resurrection of Jesus with He and His disciples. John 20:19-20 says, “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
The fourth time is a comical situation in which the Apostle Peter is released from prison by God and he arrives back with fellow believers. Acts 12:13-14 says, “Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
The fifth time “overjoyed” is used is in important words to us from the Apostle Peter who said, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
The sense that we get about the word “overjoyed” is that the person loses all sense of themselves and is given over to happiness. King Darius forgets he is the king and is elated his friend is alive. The disciples trip over themselves with excitement that Jesus is alive. A young girl forgets to open the door as Peter is knocking on it she is so surprised. Overjoyed will be what believers will be when Jesus returns. “Overjoyed” is happiness spilling over into our words, our actions, and our brains sometimes stop working properly.
I imagine the wise men arriving at the house where Jesus and His family were living and they were beside themselves with excitement on meeting the young toddler. They had travelled so long to get there and the time was finally upon them. They probably fell over each other as they saw him. They probably ran to the house. Their camels wandered off because they did not tie them up properly. They shouted for joy and made a commotion. Perhaps there was a song or two sung out loud for all to hear.
ILLUSTRATION… “Star Wars Monopoly” Saga Part 2 (p)
I was not to be denied my purchase of “Star Wars Monopoly.” Luckily, Walmart was not the only place that I could go shopping back then. There was also the land of blue light specials with a huge K on the store. You know, K-Mart. If you remember K-Marts, you are old. If you don’t remember K-Marts, you didn’t miss anything. I drove at top speed to my nearest K-Mart to find the “Star Wars Monopoly.”
I arrived and the store was packed. Packed with trash in the parking lot. Packed with people looking for good deals in their muffin top tight pants and socks with sandals. A homeless man had made a fort in the parking lot out of shopping carts. Ok so I made that part up, but the place was busy. I entered the store and made my way right to a person wearing red. I asked where the “Star Wars section” of the store was. They looked at me as though I were from a galaxy far far away. I explained I was looking for the “Star Wars Monopoly” game and they pointed to the “toys and games section.”
I saw the sign in the distance. I arrived in the board game aisle and I began to get excited. Surely it would be here! I looked and looked and grabbed the first Star Wars box I saw. I held it close to my chest and shouted with glee. I started jumping up and down. I lost all sense of self and lifted the box over my head in victory. Then I looked down at the box and it was “Star Wars Shoots and Ladders.” I stopped jumping. I put the box back.
And you know what? They didn’t have the game either.
III. PHRASE THREE: “PRESENTED HIM WITH GIFTS”
This last phrase in the story of the Magi that caught my attention is what the Magi did upon finding the child. They find mother and child and worship Him. The Magi did not arrive to see Jesus empty-handed.
You should never arrive at a party empty-handed.
You should never pick up your date empty-handed.
You should never celebrate Valentine’s Day empty-handed.
You should never visit a new mother empty-handed.
You should never meet royalty empty-handed.
The gifts they presented are typically associated with royalty. All three gifts are meant to honor the Christ child as King. It is possible that each gift highlights Jesus’ royalty, His priestly nature, and then also predicts His death. We should understand that in any situation any one of these three gifts would be an appropriate gift for royalty.
Gold, then as now, is a precious metal that is appropriate for the most royal of gifts. It is beautiful. It has great value. The incense (frankincense) and myrrh are both very expensive spices and perfumes that are extremely valuable and appropriate when giving high honor to someone. The Magi have traveled far to honor the “king of the Jews” and in there exceedingly great joy brought the best gifts available to bring Him honor.
To be honest, the gifts that the Magi bring to Joseph, Mary, and the Baby Jesus will come in handy. Not only are they worthy of who Jesus is, but the whole family is about to be uprooted and have to flee to Egypt. I can imagine they will need travel money. They will need to settle in a foreign land. God provided a way for them to escape by way of the gifts of the Magi. That is a guess of mine, but it makes total sense.
I also think of another happening in Jesus’ life. It happened right before He was to head to the cross. Matthew 26:6-13 records for us the use of perfumes like what the Magi brought. Matthew 26:7-13 says, “a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Basically, when I read Jesus’ response, I hear Him saying, “I am worth it.” Jesus was worth the expensive anointing in Bethany. He was worth the expensive gifts given to Him at His birth as well because it showed His value.
ILLUSTRATION… “Star Wars Monopoly” Saga Part 3 (p)
I drove back to campus defeated. I had been to two stores and had not found the “Star Wars Monopoly” game I was looking for. I cried. I cried so hard I almost got into a wreck. That didn’t happen, but I was bummed. I had imagined playing the game with my friends and having a blast. We had already been to the movies to see the new Star Wars 4 times.
I got back to campus and informed one of my friends that my quest had been in vain. I had failed. We all sunk into the dark side and were bummed that we could not play “Star Wars Monopoly” and be the coolest nerdiest Star Wars fans we knew.
A week later a box came in the mail to my friend. His parents from Indiana had sent him a present. Inside the box was a “Star Wars Monopoly”game. They had found it in Indiana and mailed it to him. We celebrated all the way back to the dorm with the box held high in victory. We cheered and put aside any homework or papers we had to do because we had finally got what we had been looking for. We got back to the dorm and set up tables. We got the box and oohed and aahhed at all the “Star Wars” pieces and the cool graphics on the board.
And you know what? We played. It wasn’t all that great. It was just Monopoly.
APPLICATION/ACTION STEP
As with most passages of Scripture, we need to make sure we understand what God is calling us to do or to be? What does the story of the Magi teach us? What meaning are we to take from these star gazers from the East coming to worship Jesus? When I was praying and thinking on this, I believe our reaction to Jesus should be the same as the Magi. We need to bow down to Jesus and worship and give Him gifts.
* We can give of our time to worship Him on a regular basis.
* We can give of our effort to study His Word.
* We can give our time to serve Him with the gifts and talents He has given us.
* We can give our testimony of faith to anyone who needs to hear it.
* We can give up TV shows that are sinful and draw us away from God.
* We can give up pornography for the sake of holiness.
* We can give up music or radio stations that feed our sinful nature.
* We can give up running our lives the way we want without consulting God.
* We can give up a grudge we have held onto and forgive because God forgave us.
* We can give up selfishness and begin thinking of others more than ourselves.
* We can give up a judgmental attitude we have held onto and err on the side of grace.
* We can give up wanting credit for good things we have done and just do it so only God sees.
* We can give Him praise as often as we can.
* We can give our tithes and offerings in a proper manner and with joy.
* We can give sacrificially when we see a need.
* We can give Him time in prayer.
* We can give proper time, effort, and prayer when we come before Him at the Lord’s Table.
* We can give all our attention to God when we are in worship services.
CONCLUSION
