Lessons From the Wise—Go, Ready, Set.
Matthew 2:1-2NIV
It’s poor etiquette to attend a party and not bring the host/honoree a gift. We should feel privileged to receive an invitation to attend. Therefore, it’s extremely important that we bring the right gifts to the honoree—King Jesus.
These wise men were a group of scholarly foreigners. They had seen the star in the east, and were compelled to follow it.
There were probably more than three men, because they usually traveled in larger groups with camels and slaves.
These wise men gave some prophetic—They gave Gold, given to Kings, Frankincense given in high worship, and myrrh given for burial.
Did you know, Wisemen are mentioned throughout the OT.
In Genesis 41:8, It reads that the Pharaoh “Called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men” to interpret his dream. The Hebrew for wisemen—Chakam means intelligent, skillful, artful or cunning man.
What does the Bible say about wisdom? How important is wisdom?
James 1:5NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
God seeks candidates for wisdom, Your— Encouragement will come from the Almighty.
Where is wisdom found? Job 28:12NIV But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
Listen carefully to these two verses, because they wait to be fulfilled by you:
Deuteronomy 4:5-6NIV See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Truth—People and nations become great as they heed God’s decrees, His truth shall go marching— on!
Think about this, “His truth will march onward into eternity; It was His truth that set— you free!
Jesus stated in John 8:32, You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Proverbs 13:10NIV Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
This morning, Over and over again I will say, these wisemen carefully planned their visit.
This thought came to me, “I wonder how we could better prepare for our visits with the Lord?”
Matthew 2:1-2NIV 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 when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Notice, They say, “Where is the ‘One’ who has been born King of the Jews?” How important is, Insight?
Once more, Matthew 2:1-2TPT Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem 2 and inquired of the people, “Where is the child who is born king of the Jewish people? We observed his star rising in the sky and we’ve come to bow before him in worship.”
Again, What made these men wise? They saw His star.
These men had a reputation, they were the— elite, These men had King Herod’s ear. Again, They didn’t haphazardly visit Jesus.
One commentary stated that these wisemen were perhaps direct descendants of those taught by the prophet Daniel while the Jews were in Babylonian captivity.
These wise men knew this was a life-changing event. Therefore, they planned their visit—They planned their gifts.
Paul writes in, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8TPT Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. 7 Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! 8 Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.
Here’s some wise, not wise.
First, Not wise—A stingy sower, equals a meager harvest.
The Wise—A generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest.
The Wise—Giving produces joy—It springs up freely.
The Wise—God loves hilarious generosity!
While in prison the apostle Paul wrote in— Philippians 4:19TPT I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ!
God is more than ready! Hear this God word, “Stop saying, Ready, Set, Go.” What’s wrong— with that Pastor Howard? We forget to get— ready, there’s always an excuse.
According to God’s word believers should say, “Go, Set, Ready.”
Why? We have His anointing.
Why? We have His Last Will & Testament.
Jesus said, “I have anointed you.”
Jesus said, “Go, Make disciples.”
Jesus states, “I’ve given you everything pertaining to life and godliness.
Once more, these wise men thought their gifts- out, they didn’t give sparingly, nor reluctantly, They experienced—cheerful joy as they gave!
They experienced, Luke 6:38 giving.
Luke 6:38TPT Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of your generosity becomes the measurement of your return.”
Think for a moment—These wisemen had 800 miles to decide in their heart what to give, they didn’t give reluctantly or under compulsion. As they gave, they gave cheerfully. Hilariously. They gave with an open-heart.
Knowing the significance of this visit, they must have done some daydreaming, Some—
“I wonder what this will be like? —A King who will fix eternity.”
At this time from Malachi to Matthew, Mankind had experienced 400—years of captivity by means of silence.
Another chapter that speaks volumes to the wise. Psalm 126, speak of a wondrous, joyful time “when Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion.”
This almost certainly refers to the miraculous return of Jewish exiles from Babylonia.
Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated Babylonia and in 538 B.C. this set the exiles free to return to Jerusalem.
Think about this, These men and women had been in captivity for 70 years. That’s an entire generation of folk.
Psalm 126:1-3TPT It was like a dream come true when you freed us from our bondage and brought us back to Zion! 2 We laughed and laughed and overflowed with gladness. We were left shouting for joy and singing your praise. All the nations saw it and joined in, saying, “The Lord has done great miracles for them!” 3 Yes, he did mighty miracles and we are overjoyed!
A Song of Ascents. This is one of 15 psalms (120-134). These psalms were sung by pilgrims ascending the road to Jerusalem (which was on a mountain) for the three great festivals:
Passover,
The Feast of Weeks (which we know as Pentecost),
The Feast of Tabernacles.
However after all the celebration of their return, according to, Psalm 126:4-6, there was still work to do.
The people cry:
* Restore our fortunes again Lord.
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
If you will—Go, Set, Ready!
Listen to this third cry—Psalm 126:6TPT They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!
This we know, we know that the magi were wisemen from "the East," most likely Persia, or modern-day Iran.
Again, this means the wise men traveled 800 to 900 miles to see the Christ child.
It’s a common misconception that wise men visited Jesus at the stable on the night of His birth.
In fact, the wise men came days, months, or possibly even years later.
That is why Matthew 2:11, says the wise men visited and worshiped Jesus in a house, not at the stable.
I love the fact that this star camped-out over Joesph and Mary’s house. The glory of God— was present.
Here’s what I know about the wise:
* The wise follow the star.
* The wise follow His glory.
* The wise go, set, ready.
* The wise give their best.
* The wise give and live cheerfully.
* The wise know where their blessings come from.
This I know—If you possess God’s glory you have it all.
In closing, Wisemen and Wise-women still seek Him.
Benedition.
