2025.01.12. Sermon Notes. Matthew 2. Seeking the Messiah. Wise men seek HIM.
IN SEARCH OF MESSIAH. MATTHEW 2
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Who were the Wise men? And what happened in their search for the King of the Jews? How do you acknowledge this King of the Jews? With Acceptance or Rejection?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1-23, Micah 5:2, Daniel 2:48, Numbers 24:17, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 11:1, Micah 5:2, Psalms 68:29, Psalms 72:10-11, Romans 1:16, Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, John 1:45-46, Isaiah 53:2-3, Numbers 6:1-21
VS 1-2 WISE MEN FROM THE EAST COME TO HONOR JESUS.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
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.”
BETHLEHEM
Bethlehem was the ancestral home of King David.
Bethlehem was a little town about six miles to the south of Jerusalem. Originally known as Ephrath or Ephratah.
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.
BIRTH OF A KING
“A stir begins as soon as Christ is born. He has not spoken a word; he has not wrought a miracle; he has not proclaimed a single doctrine; but ‘when Jesus was born,’ at the very first, while as yet you hear nothing but infant cries, and can see nothing but infant weakness, still his influence upon the world is manifest. ‘When Jesus was born, there came wise men from the east,’ and so on. There is infinite power even in an infant Savior.” (Spurgeon)
HEROD
In the days of Herod the king also known as Herod the Great.
Herod was indeed great as a ruler, builder and administrator; in other ways great in politics and cruelty.
While the exact date of the Birth of Christ is unknown, Jesus was born before the death of Herod the Great, which is probably to be dated in 4 BC.
WISE MEN
Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.
These travelers are called wise men, which in the ancient Greek is magoi.
They were not kings but wise men, which means they were astronomers.
There were not only three, but probably a great company.
They didn’t come on the birth night, but rather months or as much 2 years later.
Being from the East, they would have been among Jews who were exiled from Judah and Israel centuries before to the Babylonian Captivity.
SECRET OF THE MAGI.
The secret Identity of the magi around Jesus birth is significant.
These mysterious men just showed up and while the Bible calls them either Magi or Wisemen, and it says they’re from the east.
And even more mysteriously, it says they followed a star, and already knew that a King was born.
Jesus was that King.
So who were these guys?
Rewind 600 years before the birth of Christ, an Old Testament prophet named Daniel who is taken Captive in Babylon, which is due…East, of where Jesus was born.
And Daniel chapter 2 says that the King of Babylon, king Nebuchadnezzar, made Daniel the chief of the Magi or Wiseman. RabMag or Rabbi Teacher of the Magi (wise men)
Daniel 2:48 Then the king (Nebuchadnezzar) promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
Daniel would have taught the Magi/Wisemen of his day about the Star.
And in ancient Babylon, Magi believed the appearance of a new star was the sign of the birth of a significant king.
So apparently, 600 years before Jesus is born. Daniel starts teaching the Babylonian Magi these prophecies about a king that was going to come who would set up an eternal kingdom.
And he would have taught them verses like Numbers 24:7 that says a star will come out of Israel. And those men believed the word of God and they handed it down from generation to generation to generation for 600 years and the Magi at Jesus’ birth are probably descendants of those men.
STAR
Numbers 24:17
17 “I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.
For we have seen His star in the East:
GOD guided the astronomers by a star. This was also in fulfillment of Numbers 24:17: A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. This was widely regarded by ancient Jewish scholars as a Messianic prediction.
(Spurgeon) Notice, it was His star: “The star was Christ’s star itself, but it also led others to Christ. It did this very much because it moved in that direction. It is a sad thing when a preacher is like a sign-post pointing the way but never following it, on his own account. Such were those chief priests at Jerusalem: they could tell where Christ was born, but they never went to worship him; they were indifferent altogether to him and to his birth.”
And have come to worship Him: The wise men came first to Jerusalem, assuming that the leaders of the Jews would be aware and excited about the birth of their Messiah. The wise men are about to find that this wasn’t the case at all.
CHILD KING
Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name 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, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
ROYAL LINEAGE of DAVID
Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
QUESTION
Where is He who is born King of the Jews?
Significantly, they say this one has been born King of the Jews. It is a strange thing for a baby to be born a king. Usually they are princes for a long time before they are kings. “His kingly status was not conferred on him later on; it was from birth.” (Carson)
SO WHO WERE THESE WISE GUYS
Church traditions even tell us their names – supposedly Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. You can see their supposed skulls in the great cathedral at Cologne, Germany.
POINT: When you put your family under the teaching of the word of God you might be changing 600 years of your family tree.
VS 3 HEROD IS TROUBLED AT THE NEWS BROUGHT BY THE WISE MEN.
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him:
Herod was constantly on guard against threats to his rule, especially from his own family. He assassinated many family members whom he suspected of disloyalty. His being troubled is completely in character.
The fact that all Jerusalem was troubled with Herod is significant.
(Spurgeon) This trouble is again testimony to the greatness of Jesus, even as a young child. “Jesus of Nazareth is so potent a factor in the world of mind that, no sooner is he there in his utmost weakness, a now-born King, than he begins to reign. Before he mounts the throne, friends bring him presents, and his enemies compass his death.”
VS 4-6 HEROD IS INSTRUCTED REGARDING THE MESSIAH’S COMING BY THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
All the chief priests and the scribes: This was the first contact the religious leaders had with Jesus. They understood the Biblical information correctly, but failed in application to their lives.
Chief priests would especially include those who once held the office of High Priest; Herod changed the High Priest often because it was largely a political appointment.
Scribes: “The ‘teachers of the law,’ or ‘scribes’ as other English versions call them, were experts in the Old Testament and in its copious oral tradition. Their work was not so much copying out Old Testament manuscripts (as the word ‘scribes’ suggests) as teaching the Old Testament.” (Carson)
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea”:
Quoting Micah 5:2, the chief priests and scribes understood that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea, distinguishing it from another town of the same name further north.
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.
From this passage in Micah, they understood not only that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but also that He would be a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.
VS 7-8 TRUE TO CHARACTER, HEROD ATTEMPTS TO USE WISE MEN TO FIND THE CHILD THAT HE MAY KILL HIM.
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
SIGNIFICANCE of “Determined … what time the star appeared”
Because Herod later commanded that all boys two and younger be killed in the area, we can assume that the wise men first saw the star a year or so previously (on the night Jesus was born). Their journey from the East to Judea was not quick, and they may have left as soon as logistics allowed.
Herod heard a good Bible study about the birthplace of the Messiah, but it did him no good.
Bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also:
Herod claimed a desire to worship Jesus, when he really wanted to kill Him.
(Spurgeon) “Mark that the wise men never promised to return to Herod; they probably guessed that all this eager zeal was not quite so pure as it seemed to be, and their silence did not mean consent.”
VS 9-12 THE WISE MEN PRESENT GIFTS TO JESUS AND LEAVE WITHOUT INFORMING HEROD.
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
BEARING GIFTS
Psalms 68:29
29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You.
Psalms 72:10-11
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
Behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them:
The star continued to guide them. We can surmise that the star appeared some months before, guiding them to the general area, and then they visited Jerusalem to gain more information. Then the star appeared again to specifically guide them. This was an obviously supernatural phenomenon.
THE STAR CAME AND STOOD OVER THE YOUNG CHILD
STAR OF BETHLEHEM 2007
In Frederick (Rick) Larson connects the dots in “The Star of Bethlehem” where Jupiter (Royal Planet) and Regulus (the Kingly Star) come into close proximity in the sky, creating a great light and what appears to be a Scepter in the constellation Leo (the Lion). The description in scripture that states that it stopped over Bethlehem where the Christ Child lay, is observed in the orbit trajectory compared to the Earth’s orbit, which causes the Planet and Star to appear to be stalled in the sky for a period.
GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
The Magi brought these gifts to honor Jesus.
GOLD: ROYALTY AND DIVINITY
Gold symbolizes royalty and divinity. It reflects Jesus as the King of Kings. In ancient cultures, gold served as a marker of wealth and power, reinforcing Jesus’ rightful place in the royal lineage. The gift of gold from the Magi signifies recognition of Jesus’ authority and His sacred kingship. You can find references to gold in scriptures like Revelation 19:16, which affirms His kingship.
FRANKINCENSE: WORSHIP AND PRAYER
Frankincense symbolizes worship and prayer. This fragrant resin was commonly used in religious rituals and sacrifices, representing the divine presence. By bringing frankincense, the Magi acknowledged Jesus as divine. Frankincense, often used in temples, indicates dedication and reverence in worship. Its presence emphasizes the importance of prayer in connecting with God, as seen in Psalms 141:2, where prayers are described as incense.
MYRRH: SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE
Myrrh represents suffering and sacrifice. This precious resin is known for its use in embalming, foreshadowing Jesus’ death and burial. By including myrrh among their gifts, the Magi acknowledged the path of suffering Jesus would ultimately undertake. This gift highlights the bittersweet nature of Jesus’ mission on Earth, which encompasses both the joy of salvation and the pain of sacrifice. References to myrrh can be found in John 19:39, where it plays a role in Jesus’ burial.
Understanding the symbolism of these gifts enhances your appreciation for the biblical narrative surrounding Jesus’ birth and the significance of His life.
Fell down and worshipped Him:
More important than their gifts is the fact that they worshipped Jesus. It must have been a curious sight to see these impressive dignitaries bowing before a young child.
THREE RESPONSES TO JESUS
1. Herod responded with open hatred and hostility toward JESUS.
2. The Chief Priests and Scribes were indifferent toward JESUS, potentially knowing the prophecy, but denying and rejecting JESUS as Messiah.
3. Wise Men searching JESUS and worshiping HIM.
We see these same responses today:
1. Hostility and Hatred toward GOD’s WORD, Christians.
2. Denying Jesus as Messiah, Rejecting GOD
3. Those who Hear, Seek and Find the GOOD NEWS of JESUS as the HOPE of this World.
VS. 12 THEY DEPARTED…ANOTHER WAY
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Divine Warning. Depart…another way.
The Wise men would not be the informants to Herod.
The encounter with JESUS changed their direction.
POINT: LESSON of the Wise men
Those who seek JESUS will find HIM.
Those who find JESUS will worship HIM.
Those who worship JESUS will dedicate their lives to HIM.
Those who dedicate their lives to JESUS will have a change in their direction.
INTERESTING COMPARISON
JESUS came to the JEW first, then the Gentile.
Jewish Shepherds saw Jesus first. Gentile Wisemen came after.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT AND THE RETURN TO NAZARETH.
VS 13-15 JOSEPH, MARY, AND JESUS FIND REFUGE IN EGYPT.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Hosea 11:1“When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.
WISEMEN DEPART, JOSEPH DREAMS, FAMILY LEAVES IMMEDIATELY
They departed…angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
when he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night:
We see Joseph being led by the HOLY” SPIRIT and being obedient to that leading with urgency
VS 16-18 THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”
HEROD put to death all the male children 2 years and under in Bethlehem
A voice was heard in Ramah, prophecy from Jeremiah
Here Rachel is a representation of Bethlehem’s mothers.
Jeremiah 31:15 Thus says the LORD: “A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.”
VS 19-21 THE RETURN TO ISRAEL.
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
ANOTHER ENCOUNTER WITH GOD IN A DREAM.
Once again, the LORD appears to Joseph in a dream.
Joseph wakes up and obeys the LORD immediately.
POINT: WHAT IS THE LORD TELLING YOU TO DO?
ARE YOU ACTING ON IT WITH IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE?
VS 22-23 FEARING THE EVIL SON OF HEROD (ARCHELAUS), THE FAMILY SETTLES NORTH IN NAZARETH.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
HISTORICAL OBSERVATION
Herod’s son, Archelaus is now ruler of Judea. Cruel like his father, but without the greatness attributed to Herod.
Herod Antipas, Archelaus’ brother, was mild and even tempered compared to his brother and father.
POINT: WARNED BY GOD IN A DREAM ONCE AGAIN, JOSEPH RESPONDS IN OBEDIENCE.
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth
Joseph and family came back to Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and presumably Joseph.
Located in Galilee, Nazareth is a small town with a somewhat bad reputation, that is located in Galilee.
John 1:45-46 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures and thereby insignificant, even “despised and rejected”.*
Hebrew “Nezir” means a branch or shoot.
Isaiah 53:2-3
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
VOW OF NAZARITE
While Nazareth is not mentioned in the OT, Numbers 6:1-21 tells us of the vow of the Nazarite.
To be a Nazarite was to commit one’s self to a special vow of consecration. To be set apart and especially devoted to GOD.
The Nazarite is a picture of someone who is consecrated to God, devoted to God, handed over in His service.
The Nazarite vow is a voluntary act of serving the LORD.
The Nazarite vow allows ordinary people to express their love and gratitude to GOD in a binding commitment.
The Nazarite vow is a commitment to be separated to the LORD. Set apart, consecrated, and made holy.
Nazareth as a place was insignificant and despised and rejected by the world.
But Nazareth became significant by the very presence of GOD’s ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.
Where Emmanuel, GOD with us, walked among the people.
POINT: In this world, we strive for significance in our lives.
It’s ONLY CHRIST IN YOU that gives you eternal significance.
Your significance only comes through CHRIST IN you.
CONCLUSION:
We’ve observed many lessons in this chapter:
POINT: ARE YOU GETTING GOD’S WORD IN YOU, AND SHARING IT WITH OTHERS?
When you put your family under the teaching of the word of God you might be changing 600 years of your family tree.
POINT: LESSON of the Wise men
Those who seek JESUS will find HIM.
Those who find JESUS will worship HIM.
Those who worship JESUS will dedicate their lives to HIM.
Those who dedicate themselves (their lives) to JESUS will have a change in their life’s direction.
POINT: CHOICE. We are all given choice regarding GOD'S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.
Choose: Acceptance or Rejection.
POINT: WHAT THE LORD IS TELLING YOU?
Are you in HIS WORD to hear from HIM?
Are you listening for HIS voice?
How do you respond to GOD’s calling?
Do you understand the urgency of our day, and are you acting on it with immediate obedience?
POINT: YOUR SIGNIFICANCE IN THIS LIFE COMES FROM CHRIST IS IN YOU.
Nazareth was insignificant and despised by the world. But JESUS made it a place of significance for all the world to see.
POINT: A LIFE SET APART
There should be visible confirmation that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, and it ought to be manifest again in our choices, in our thinking, in our conduct. All these things should show not only that this world is not our home, but that we belong to God.
FATHER, we THANK YOU for YOUR WORD and for speaking to us by the POWER of YOUR PRESENCE. We ask that YOU would impart these life lessons into our being, and change us. We receive YOUR WORD today. We receive JESUS today. HOLY SPIRIT, lead us in all TRUTH, in JESUS Name, Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Pastor Bill
