“Footprints of Hope”
Matthew 2:1-12
Let’s take our Bibles and locate Matthew 2…today we journey in the footprints of the Magi – “we three kings of Orient are” – the three wise men (by the way, none of those actual titles are true. There weren’t technically three and they weren’t kings. But more about that later). And if there’s one word that describes the magi, it is the word “hope.” Think about it – they journeyed far and long based on their hope that a king was born in the town of Bethlehem. That’s a pretty strong hope, isn’t it?
Now understand something – That’s different than our kind of hope. We have “Webster” hope. “What’s Webster hope?” you ask. Based on their on-line dictionary, Miriam-Webster defines hope as “to cherish or desire with anticipation,” or “to desire with expectation of obtainment.” In other words, a sincere longing or a wish for something good that is sometimes fulfilled and, unfortunately, sometimes not.
This kind of hope is everywhere at Christmas, isn’t it?
“I hope I get a PS3 for Christmas.”
“I hope I get a new dog for Christmas.”
“I hope I get a Mercedez.”
Sometimes Webster hope finds it way into more serious areas of our life, as in:
“I hope I get to keep my job this year.”
“I hope I get married next year.”
“I hope I can beat my cancer next year.”
But the problem with Webster hope is that it is always based upon uncertainty. For example, we may say “I hope we get pregnant soon.” That kind of hope is a wish, not a certainty. We can hope all we want, doing everything humanly possible to “help hope along.” All the indications may be that it will come true. But life is unpredictable and things can change at the last moment. Suddenly, all our hopes are dashed. That’s the problem with Webster hope – as good as it makes you feel sometimes, it is still fundamentally based on uncertainties. While it is powerful, it may not necessarily be biblical.
The magi, however, had biblical hope. “What’s biblical hope?” you ask. Biblical hope is “a future confidence based on past promises.” In other words, it is an expectation, desire, or anticipation (just like Webster hope in this way), but without the human uncertainty. Why? Because biblical hope has, as its foundation, the promises and character of God.
Before we look at Matthew 2, let me show you a concise verse that summarizes biblical hope. It is Hebrews 6:19, and it says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Biblical hope is an anchor, a foundation firm and secure. Why? Because it finds its bedrock within the character and promises of God. In fact, that’s the very point of the previous verse – Hebrews 6:18 – for it says that this hope rests on an oath made by God “who cannot lie.” At this time of year when so many people are hoping for something, we hope because of someone – God! Hallelujah!
This is the kind of hope that motivated the Magi to leave their country and travel a long distance. This is the kind of hope that propelled the wise men to give of the treasures. This is the kind of hope that prompted the Magi to risk their own safety in search of the king. Truly, biblical hope is more powerful than Webster hope!
Let’s look at their journey and see what insights we glean from this passage about biblical hope.
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.”
Matthew 2:1-2 says these wise men were “Magi from the east” and had seen a “star in the east.” So they came. Had they come on a hunch? Or was biblical hope really driving their search? Perhaps a little background will help answer that question.
Much of what has been written about the Magi is based upon speculation or traditions that may have no basis in fact. For example, they were not kings but were rather advisors to kings. And no where are we told there were only three. There was probably an entourage of people with these kingly advisors. So the song “We Three Kings” is really an urban legend (no offense to you Christmas carol lovers).
The Magi were from either Persia or Babylon, and they functioned as the religious, civil, and political counsel to the kings of Media and Persia. Over time, their power grew to the extent that they became the “king-makers” whose duties included the election of the king of the realm. Do you recall Daniel in the Old Testament book of Daniel? He had been promoted to the position of advisor to the king of Babylon (Daniel 2:48-49), and later continued in this role as advisor to the king of Persia after the Persians conquered Babylon. In fact, I believe personally that Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were probably called Magi. They, too, had many gifts showered on them (which would explain how the Magi in Matthew 2 had gifts to bring if this tradition continued) and were even called wise men in Daniel 2.
The group of Magi mentioned here in Matthew 2 were no doubt indirectly influenced generation after generation by Daniel and his Jewish friends. The fact that they undertook such a difficult journey in order to worship Him strongly suggests that they believed in the God of the Jews. In fact, did you know that Daniel is the only book – and only one – in the whole of the Bible that foretells the time of the Messiah’s first coming? The passage is Daniel 9:24-26.
In this prophecy, Daniel is told by the angel Gabriel (the same angel who visited Mary) that the King would come 483 years after a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem. That decree came in March of 444 B.C. through the Persian king Artaxerxes Longimanus. Since Daniel had written down the vision, I believe that many of the wise men after him were influenced by him and came into contact with the messianic hope. Consequently, you have Magi – wise men just like Daniel – studying God’s Word and realizing a King was soon to be born.
So guess what they did? They “loaded up the truck and moved to Beth-le-hem” (with apologies to the Clampetts). That’s right – based on God’s past revealed revelation, they had a future hope. And so they acted! They were certain about the future because of God’s past promises, so they acted with confidence in the present. That’s biblical hope!
I learn something from this about biblical hope: Biblical hope finds it source in God! If you’re wondering about the future, your eternal destiny, your purpose on earth, upcoming decisions – if you are needing hope for tomorrow, I strongly urge you to make the Word of God your first book of choice! It is in the Word that we find the certainty we need to act with confidence in the present.
People often wonder, “What happens when I die?” “Is hell real?” “Do miracles really happen?” “Does God really hear me when I pray?” “Can my marriage really be restored?” “Is it possible to really be happy?” “What on earth am I here for?” My friend, God’s Word holds the answers. If you’re looking for hope, turn back to the God of the Bible. He and the written revelation he left for us is the source of biblical hope. For instance,
• Someone may be here this morning who has lived their whole life thinking that being good enough is the way to heaven and God. But did you know the Bible says that “a man is justified by faith apart from the law”? (Romans 3:28) That’s right – by believing in the name of Jesus, God’s only Son, and trusting in His death on Calvary’s cross, we are freely forgiven and saved. You see, God is the solid footing for the hope of salvation than simply trying to be good enough.
• Or a man may be here who thinks that pride and ambition are the way to the top of your profession or circles of influence. But did you know God says “nothing should be done through strife or vain ambition, but in humility we should each consider others better than ourselves”? (Phil 2:3-4) The way to true success in our relationships is through humility. And that’s a secure foundation for hope in relationships. And much better than always trying to outdo one another.
Biblical hope says, “Proceed with confidence!” in a world filled with people shouting “proceed with caution.” We can do that when we have the surety of God’s Word as our foundation.
Oddly enough, while the Magi had “done the math” and were looking for the coming of the King, the Jewish religious leaders had not done so and were oblivious to the fact that the King of the Jews had been born in obscurity just a few miles away. Look at Matthew 2:3-6, would you?
“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: ’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.’”
Amazing, isn’t it? Micah’s prophecy revealed the place, and no doubt they had access to Daniel’s writings as well. Yet they didn’t act on it. Same information, different result. Why? Because of the heart! People usually see what they want to see; you typically find what you’re looking for.
I learn something else from this about biblical hope: Biblical hope finds soil in a seeking heart! This morning, some will leave here and act on what I’ve taught you from God’s Word. Others will leave and ignore it, even possibly trying to make light of it. Why? Because your heart isn’t open to believing the truth. Hope eludes those who don’t want to see the truth.
Perhaps more than anything, the Magi teach me that you find what you’re looking for. Throughout the New Testament we find this same principle fleshed out – people finding what they were looking for. These teachers of the law and religious leaders, who knew same prophecies as the Magi, would one day be the very ones to crucify him instead of worshipping him. And the commoners who saw the same miracles as the Pharisees would be the ones who would believe, while the Pharisees drowned in their denial.
This Christmas, don’t commit treason by missing the reason for the season. See what is really there – a child born to be the Savior of the world! Open your heart to God’s truth and let the hope of Christ find a fertile place to land.
Sure enough, the Magi found what they were looking for – Jesus! Look with me at the last few verses in this section.
“Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 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.’ 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. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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.”
Yes, their hope was realized the moment they saw the Christ-child. I imagine one of them may have said, “I knew it!” Or maybe another commented, “Just like God promised.” Regardless, they very person they were seeking – Jesus – and the very ruler they were hoping for was now before their eyes.
What a journey this must have been! Their journey may have covered 1,000 miles and taken four to five months. Led by a moving and reappearing star (probably prophesied in Numbers 24:17 and equally a phenomenon as the angelic singing) and “entertained” by the highest rulers of the land, the Magi were on the last leg – south to Bethlehem! Can’t you just sense the excitement and anticipation?
Here again, however, we find a bit of urban legend creeping in. The Magi didn’t go to the stable, but rather to his house. And they did not find Jesus until some months after he was born. A clue to this fact is that Herod asked the Wise Men when they had first seen the star and then sent his soldiers to kill every Jewish boy under the age of two years. This doesn’t mean that Jesus was two years old but that Herod allowed enough room for error to be certain that he killed this challenger to his throne.
Still, their moment of arrival was no doubt a celebration – they had found Jesus, King of the Jews! In spite of all the trials and difficulties, they were finally seeing the “hope” they had read about – Jesus!
I learn one final thing from this about biblical hope: Biblical hope finds its fulfillment in Jesus. I love the words, “they saw the child.” Their journey was capped as complete when they saw him. That’s when they knew it was well worth it.
And don’t you love how they showed their faith fulfilled – in giving gifts! The three gifts the Magi brought foreshadowed the person and ministry of Jesus.
• Gold for His royalty. In the Scriptures gold was a symbol for royalty and also signified the glory and deity of God. It was thus an appropriate gift to give to God the Son.
• Frankincense for His deity. This was a sweet incense that was used in connection with some of the offerings in the Temple, it’s aroma rising to God as a prayer.
• Myrrh for his humanity. Myrrh was an embalming ointment which would be wrapped in the garments of the deceased. It signified the fact that Jesus was born to die.
Furthermore, these gifts also had a practical value, for they provided for the family during the time when they had to flee to Egypt.
Furthermore, I’m sure they wouldn’t have laid down those types of gifts if they were unsure or still wondering, “Is this really the one?” No, they had found their King, and it was time to worship!
One day we will experience the same fulfillment, or realization, of our hope – when we see Christ! Titus told us that we are waiting for “that blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). And John said that “anyone who has this hope in him purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). Truly Jesus is the fulfillment of our hope, and one day God’s promise of a returning Savior will come true and we will see him face to face!
I’m reminded of the old hymn “When we See Christ.” Do you remember it?
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all troubles will erase.
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.
The footprints left for us this morning are footprints of hope. And it my desire this morning to ignite hope within each of you. How? By showing you that for biblical hope to be your foundation, it must be rooted in God, planted in a believing heart, and fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Anything short of that is simply Webster hope…a strong hunch! It may make you feel good, but it won’t carry you the distance.
[HEADS BOWED]
At First Family, we preach and teach for life change. So we call for action and response on a regular basis, both from non-Christians and Christians. This morning, if you wish to finally believe what God has said about Jesus and build your life on biblical hope, not on Webster hope or a human hunch, I invite to right now where you are pray and tell God exactly that – that you believe His Son Jesus is the only way to Heaven and you now by faith call upon his name as the only name that provides salvation. Just pray right now in your seat something like this…
[salvation prayer]
Others of you this morning who are already believers may want to evaluate your ideas of hope and align your life more with God’s definition and description. If you’ve been hesitant to act on what God has said, I urge you to believe God and obey. May we be Magi of the 21st Century and undertake whatever risks and costs for the sake of the “hope of his calling.”
[Pray]
