Experieince the Joy of the Magi
Intro: The background story of the Magi
Magi – this is the word from which we get “magician”. They were not kings, but were influential. They were really astronomers/astrologists, scientists, philosphers .
They came from the east – probably Babylon. This is significant as we look back at Scripture and see that Israel was sent to Babylon and a particular prophet named Daniel was included in the exiles. He rose to prominence in Babylon and through interpreting a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel saved the lives of the Magi and became numbered as one of them (see Daniel 2). It is worth noting that in Daniel 7 the Magi are not mentioned among those who had Daniel thrown in the lion’s den.
The magi of Jesus time however recognized that a King would be born in Judea and decided to follow the star to Judea.
The Magi could have known of the timing for the birth of Messiah through the writings of Daniel himself. A dream of Nebuchadnezzar and another of Daniel Himself both point to a king who would come to rule during the period of a certain kingdom that can be identified as the Roman empire. In addition. Daniel 9 gives rather precise timing through the prophecy of the 70 weeks. The prophecy accurately points to the crucifixion of Jesus. Another prophecy often seen as a help to the magi is one from Balam who was from the east and asked to curse Israel at the time of the Exodus. In Numbers 24:17 that states in part, “…A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” These prophecies provide some insight into how the Magi specifically could have put things together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the timing of the birth of Jesus.
It appears that the star was not guiding them through the entire journey, so the Magi logically go to Jerusalem and ask about the king. It seems they thought people there would know, but instead word gets to wicked king Herod, the representative of Rome, and asks his scribes about where the Messiah would be born and using Micah 5:2, they point to Bethlehem.
Because of Herod’s wickedness and fear of any challenge to his leadership, all Jerusalem is afraid of the questions of the Magi. Herod however invites them to dinner, learns when the star they were following appeared, tells them of Bethlehem and invites them to come back and let him know – lying that he would come to worship Jesus.
Legend has expanded this story to include the names of the kings and even to suggest that they are from three different cultures. Our nativies usually have the wise men at the manger when Scripture has the Magi come to a house some time after the birth.
This brief overview leads us to the part of the story we want to look at in Matt 2:9-12.
Matt 2:9-12 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.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:9-12
I. Overwhelming Joy in God’s revealed plan
Consider verses 9- 10
As they were leaving, the star “reappeared”. The fact it was not visible is seen in the Magi asking for the location and the fact that they did not point it out to Herod and the fact that its reappearance brought them great Joy.
v. 10 “when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Did you catch that joy, first they rejoiced, that was not enough so they did so with joy, well, let’s make that “great joy” well, it was more than that, how about “exceedingly great joy” This is not just the English translations, it is an accurate translation of the Greek using multiple modifiers to express the joy.
MacArthur “It seems almost as if Matthew was at a loss of words to describe their extacy. (p.35)
The magi:
Their overwhelming joy is likely in part confirmation that their journey has not been in vain, but more importantly, it is a confirmation that they are following God’s lead. God Himself is faithfully guiding them.
Herod didn’t recognize the sign of the star – are we looking for God’s direction? Can we rejoice in the direction of the Lord? He had given them general direction in Babylon, and now when they
The fact that the Magi are gentiles also foreshadows that although Jesus is the King of the Jews, the gentiles are invited under His rule.
Look back at v. 2, when the Magi came, they did not come to see the one who would BECOME the king of the Jews, they came to worship that one who was BORN the king of the Jews.
Matt 2:2 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.” Matthew 2:2
The Magi are joyfully seeing God’s plan coming together.
A-Team Hannibal “I love it when a plan comes together!”
This leads them to joyfully respond to what God is doing in the rest of today’s passage.
II. Responses in light of Joy
A. Worship (v. 11) Psalm 95:6
The first response of the Magi upon seeing Jesus is to fall down in worship.
2. Their bowing shows the attitude of worship – they were important people and came humbly, bowing down.
You cannot worship except in humility.
Psalm 95 is a great Psalm of worship and the invitation to worship in V. 6 points to the humble attitude:
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalms 95:6
The word for worship in the Greek is proskunew which means “to bow down”. In this simple act, the wise men demonstrated the attitude of worship. As gentiles, their coming foreshadowed the ability of people from every tongue to worship and with their wealth they show us that even the wealthy and influential can come to Jesus. Much is made at Christmas of the humble birth of Jesus and the invitation sent to the lowly shepherd, showing that Jesus came for the poor and needy, which he did. Yet here – the divine message to come was sent to the Magi, months in advance of their arrival.
Notice as well that the object of worship is not Mary and Joseph, it is not the family in general – it is the Baby, it is Jesus. The entire story of Christmas is about Jesus and these men of renoun came and without thought of station or appearances – they worshiped a baby who then knew was not to become the King of the Jews, but was divinely born into it.
Consider that some 30 year later a rich young man will come to Jesus (Matt 19:23-26) and asked “what must I do to be saved”? Jesus asked the man to sell all he had and come follow Him. The man, being wealthy, left sad and Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Astounded at this the disciples asked him “who then can be saved?” Jesus then said, “with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The wise men show God does the impossible. This leads to the second response in joy demonstrated by the Magi
B. Giving/Sacrifice (v. 11)
Giving needs to be done in joy. In a passage that warns against disobedience, Deut. 28:47 points to God’s expectation that service is to be done with joy. Here is what that passage says:
Deut 28:47 47 " Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything,
Likewise in Giving we see that it is to be done cheerfully
2 Cor 9:7 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (Greek word for cheerful – hilaros from which we get “hilarious”)
Our gifts and service to the Lord. Notice just as earlier they worshipped “Him” here they presented gifts to “Him”. Our gifts and service are to Jesus and Jesus was the focus of the Magi.
The gifts as well are special. They are specific to the occasion and point to who Jesus is. I do not believe the gifts are arbitrary and although they are valuable, the selection of these particular gifts are not simply based upon their monitary value, but more importantly because they shed light on who this child is. My original intent was to go through the gifts quickly and give equal time to each response, but I continue to be fascinated by God’s guidance in not only the star, but also the gifts presented that I think they deserve some added explanation.
It was Origin, an early theologian of the third century living in Alexandria Egypt who first proposed that the three gifts pointed to the Kingship, deity and suffering of Jesus. This approach is found in the verses of the Christmas carol of 1857 (by John Hopkins)
We Three Kings
2 Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign. [Refrain]
3 Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high. [Refrain]
4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]
One of my favorite movies of the Christmas season is The Nativity Story. Although they show the popular, but incorrect notion that the wise men made it to the manger and not to a house some time after the birth, yet they portray the gifts in a light similar to that of Originl.
The Nativity Story
As each Magi approach Jesus in turn. They present the gifts with the following statements:
Gold, For the King of Kings
Frankincense, for the Priest of all Priests
The gift of Myrrh, to honor thy sacrifice
As insightful as these thoughts are, they represent three of many facets that can apply to the gifts.
You see, I think the gifts provided are like a diamond – it is cut so that you see different aspects of its beauty through the various facets. The gifts of the magi have various facets and all point to Jesus – His person and his ministry.
Another facet in this picture is that all three of these elements are involved in the worship of God in both the temple and tabernacle and are a picture of Jesus as the Prophet – showing God to us, Priest – interceding with the father on our behalf, and King – the one to whom we worship as Lord.
Gold
Have you read through the Bible and gotten bored at the section where it describes the construction of the tabernacle? I know I have. If you are going to read through the Bible this year, I recommend doing some calisthenics before reading some parts of Exodus and Leviticus. Yet there is a wonder in the detail God provides. Did you notice the amount of Gold in that construction. The tabernacle was full of gold.
In exodus 25 we have the description of the making of the Tabernacle – the portable temple of God that reflects God’s heavenly temple and also foreshadowed the building of Solomon’s temple. Here we see the places of worship were filled with gold:
The walls of the tent were overlayed with gold
The ark of the covenant was covered with gold and the cover was pure gold
You had golden lampstands – the entire place of worship was full of Gold
The gift of gold certainly presents riches, but it also shows the place of worship of God and reflects the Glory of God himself.
Lets consider the Frankincense in worship.
Exodus 3:34 – Frankincense was a key ingredient in the oil for Anointing the priest
Lev. 2:1 – Frankincense was used in the presentation of the grain offering.
Yet, from Lev 5:11, Frankincense was not to be used for a sin offering.
As we consider Frankincense, the idea of it representing the prayers of the saints is a good picture – yet it includes our thankful worship of God, presented to Him in the Joy of who He is.
Concerning Myrrh:
It is true that Myrrh was used in the burial spices at the time of Christ, creating one facet of that gift pointing to the sacrificial death of Jesus. That is indeed one facet. It was also used as part of setting the tablernacle apart for service for the Lord.
You see, Myrrh was the key ingredient used in creating the anointing oil for the tabernacle, its service implements and also the priests. The tabernacle pictured God’s presence among us. In the Gospel of John we have a theological presentation of the Christmas Story.
In John 1:14 4 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The word for “dwelt” has the idea that the Lord came and “pitched his tent” among us, or if you will going back to the OT, he “tabernacle” among us.
From Exodus 30, we read:
23 "Also take for yourself quality spices -- five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane,
24 "five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil.
And he goes through additional ingredients and then says:
25 "And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.
26 "With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony;
27 "the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense;
28 "the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base.
29 "You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy.
30 "And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.
In our study of Hebrews we noted that the priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of Levi. The gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh point to that priestly calling and Myrrh particularly emphasizes his presence with us.
This babe was no ordinary person and
Their gifts and the sacrifice shown by them were not gifts to a child, but served a purpose to point out that the child born is the King of kings. The one who came from heaven to dwell with us, to show us God the Father and to ultimately intercede and save sinful man.
Perhaps you feel at a loss for what to give? The most basic suggestion is made in what has become my favorite song of Christmas
Chris Tomlin He Shall Reign Forevermore:
If I were a wise man, I would travel far
And if I were a shepherd, I would do my part
But poor as I am
I will give to Him my heart
C. Obedience
We have seen the wise men overwhelmed at the joy of God’s revealed plan.
And as we experience that Joy, we can join with them in a joyful responses of:
1. Worship
2. Giving and Sacrifice to the King
3. And now we will see that response in obedience to the Lord. Look at verse 12:
Matt 2:12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:12 (ESV)
In this passage we see no debate about whether to go back to Herod, but instead we see an immediate response of obedieince. I will suggest this is not as easy as one might think.
The normal way back to Babylon was long and took them along the Euphrates river to the North so they would have supplies along the way. This would have brought them past Jerusalem and was likely the way they came.
Alternately, going another way likely had them go across the desert. A shorter but much more difficult route. We have traveled south fairly often whether visiting or taking Caleb to and from college, or heading to Nashville to see my youngest son Steve. For those trips GPS recommends going on the Washington Beltway and through Tysons. Instead, I head out 70 and then go south through Harpers Ferry avoiding the beltway and Tysons. Yet, even though I have chosen this route, my GPS will annoyingly exclaim “we have found a faster route”. Then it says, while I am driving, to click to keep on my currently selected route!
The magi may very well have been tempted at times to turn to the easier route. Likewise obedieince is not always easy and we may be tempted to take the easier route. Yet, when we walk in the Joy of the Lord, it will be reflected in obedieince, even when outside influences may tell us there is an easier way.
III. Joy expressed by Jesus (Heb 12:2)
As we look at the Magi and their Overwhelming joy expressed in their
1. Worship
2. Giving
3. Obedieince
Let’s also consider the Joy of Jesus who came for you and me. Since we have been studying in Hebrews, turn with me to Hebrews 12:2
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
Do you see that, Jesus joy at your salvation and mine led him to Bethelehem and ultimately to the Cross.
You can’t have Bethlehem without Gethsemane
You can’t have worship of the wise men without the wounding by the soldiers
You can’t have the innocent babe born in a manger without that innocent lamb sacrificed at Passover
The Magi give us an example of being overwhelmed by Joy. They show us how to live that joyful experience in worship, giving and obedience. Likewise, Jesus himself shows us how to respond in joy – not just in good times, but in giving for others and in obedieince to our Heavenly Father. Today we are going to celebrate communion and I ask that we do this in light of the Joy of God’s plan – seen by the Magi and perefectly displayed in the sacrifice of Jesus.
