"Wise Men Still Seek Him"
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:1 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, 2 Saying, 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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. 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. 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. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Introduction: One of the wisest men who ever lived wrote that "there is nothing new under the sun," so with that in mind I have borrowed a phrase that has been used in a book and in articles that have been written in the past but which are still relevant today. Wise Men Still Seek Him is just as important today as it was 2,000 years ago when the Wise Men followed the Star and found the Christ child. Let's examine this text and seek out the truths found therein. First, let's examine:
I. The Wise Men's Pursuit vs 1-9
a. Who were they?
These "Kings" are believed to have been ancient astronomers who studied the stars and had been following "the star" for several months. The New Testament does not give the names of the Magi. However, traditions and legends identify a variety of different names for them. In the Western Christian church, they have been all regarded as saints: Church tradition tells us the three Magi are Melchior (/ˈmɛlkiˌɔːr/; a Persian scholar; Caspar (/ˈkæspər/; an Indian scholar; Balthazar (/ˈbælθəˌzɑːr/; a Babylonian scholar. Encyclopædia Britannica[18] states: "according to Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Gaspar as a king of India."
As part of their religion, thought to be Zoroastrianism, these scholars/priests/kings/ paid particular attention to the stars and gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time highly regarded as a science. Their religious practices and use of astrology caused derivatives of the term Magi to be applied to the occult in general and led to the English term magic, although Zoroastrianism was in fact strongly opposed to sorcery.
b. How did they get there?
The wise men's journey would have taken several months; a journey filled with rigor and risk. It would have required planning, and it would have been at great expense. They followed a star that moved not East and West but North and South. There have been many attempts to explain the Christmas Star scientifically, and three ideas will be mentioned here.
1. Some scholars think this "star" was a comet, an object traditionally connected with important events in history, such as the birth of kings. However, records of comet sightings do not match up with the Lord's birth. For example, Halley's Comet was present in 11 B.C., but the first Christmas took place around 5 to 7 B.C.
2. Others believe that the Star of Bethlehem was a conjunction or alignment of planets in the night sky. Since planets orbit the sun at different speeds and distances, they occasionally seem to approach each other closely. However, multiple planets do not look like a single light source, as described in Scripture. Also, planet alignments are rather frequent and therefore not that unusual. There was a alignment of Jupiter and Saturn in 6 B.C., but an even closer gathering in 66 B.C., much too early!
3. Finally, an exploding star, or supernova, has been proposed to explain the Christmas Star. Some stars are unstable and explode in this way with a bright blaze. However, historical records do not indicate a supernova at the time of the Lord's birth.
All three explanations for the Star of Bethlehem fall short of the nativity story as predicted in Numbers 24:17 and recorded in Matthew 2:1-12.
Two details in Matthew are of special interest:
First, the text implies that only the Magi saw the star. However comets, conjunctions, and exploding stars would be visible to everyone on Earth.
Second, the star went before the Magi and led them directly from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. This is a distance of about six miles, in a direction from north to south. However, every natural object in the sky moves from east to west due to the Earth's rotation. It also is difficult to imagine how a natural light could lead the way to a particular house.
The conclusion is that the Star of Bethlehem cannot be naturally explained by science! It was a temporary and supernatural light. After all, the first Christmas was a time of miracles.
God has often used special, heavenly lights to guide his people, such as the glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) and the temple (1 Kings 8:10) and that shone upon the apostle Paul (Acts 9:3). Such visible signs of God's presence are known as the Shekinah Glory, or dwelling place of God. This special light is a visible manifestation of divine majesty.
The great mystery of the first Christmas is not the origin of its special star. It is the question of why the Magi were chosen to follow the light to the Messiah and why we are given the same invitation today. Christiansanswers.net
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
c. Why did they come this way?
We have the answer in verse 2. "Saying, 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."
I believe that it is reasonable to suppose that the "sign of the Star" was accompanied by a divine announcement, perhaps by the angel Gabriel himself which would have predated the angelic announcements to both Elizabeth and Mary, because they were looking for a king but not just any king but the "king of the Jews" and notice also that it was "his star" that they were following and that they had come this great distance "to worship Him."
I want you to consider something for a moment; God providentially arranged all these events, they are not natural events but supernatural.
II. The Wise Men's Praise v. 11
What we read concerning the response of the Wise men when they found this baby who was "the King of the Jews" is illustrative of what happens to any person who truly finds Jesus. There three recorded in the text for us:
a. Their rejoicing
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
I submit to you that when a person, any person has a faith encounter with Jesus Christ, that they will experience joy!
There was promised to His disciple; John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
There was joy at the tomb; Matthew 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
There was joy at the ascension; Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
b. Their reverence
The Magi are described as "falling down", "kneeling" or "bowing" in the worship of Jesus. This gesture, together with Luke's birth narrative, had an important effect on Christian religious practices. They were indicative of great respect, and typically used when venerating a king. Inspired by these verses, kneeling and prostration were adopted in the early Church. While prostration is now rarely practiced in the West it is still relatively common in the Eastern Churches, especially during Lent. Kneeling has remained an important element of Christian worship to this day.
c. Their response
The presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2 tells us that the magi, or wise men, travelled from the East in search of the Christ child. They inquired of King Herod where they might find Him, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). Upon finding the baby Jesus, "they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" (Matthew 2:11).
Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. Its value could very well have financed Joseph and Mary's trip to Egypt. The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts; however, tradition has it that there is a deeper meaning for each of the three. Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity--God in flesh.
Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.
Myrrh was also a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified, as a stupefying potion (Mark 15:23). Matthew 27:34 refers to it as "gall." Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.
Recommended Resource: The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel
III. The Wise Men's Progress v. 12
To conclude this Christmas message I'm going to take a little license with this text. Let me explain; taken literally we read that the Wise men were warned in a dream that they "should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." They went home a different way or shortening it even more, after their encounter with Jesus they went home a different way. They were not the same; they were changed; they were different! Their lives had been changed by an encounter with Christ.
a. They were different in their words!
b. They were different in their walk!
c. They were different in their worship!
PRAISE HIM IN MY HEART
Praise God for Christmas.
Praise Him for the incarnation,
for the word made flesh.
I will not sing of shepherds
watching flocks on frosty nights,
or angel choristers.
I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,
or lowing oxen,
wise men trailing star with gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father
Who stood on heaven's threshold
and said farewell to his Son
as he stepped across the stars
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,
Who became most finite, a baby
Who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens,
Praise him in the stable,
Praise him in my heart
SOURCE: Joseph Bayly.
Conclusion: "WE BRING YOU US!"
Michael Sattler tells the story of Christmas 1930. His wife had just passed away the month before, and he was lonely and heartsick. But mostly, he worried about the type of Christmas his girls would have.
When Christmas morning came, they opened their presents with unusual enthusiasm and merriment and when they had finished opening the last gift, the oldest Catherine said, "We know how much you miss Mama. We have a surprise for you." They scampered away. After a few moments a voice called out from the bedroom, "Close your eyes." When he opened them, he saw standing before him the Three Wise Men. Catherine said, "We have no gold." "Or myrrh," Sandy said. "Or incense," said Lucille. "And so" they said in unison with their arms spread wide open, "We bring you us!" Michael bent down, trying to hold back the tears in his eyes and scooped them up in is arms, embracing this great gift he had just received.
When we come to the manger this night, it's not about how a newborn makes you feel. It's not about what God has done for us. It's about our response and our gift to Him. And the only thing we have to offer the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the Prince of Peace is us and that's really the only thing he ever wanted. May it be so with us tonight, tomorrow and every day for the rest of our lives.
(From a sermon by Tim Smith, The Questions of Christmas, 10/19/2009)
