The Wise Men Series

Introduction: The outline for this sermon was obtained from “The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible,” Leadership Ministries World Wide.

Anxious to include as many minorities, religions and disabilities as possible, the human resources department of the University of Alberta has put up a Braille poster outside its main office. The poster has been placed inside a display case with a glass front. This is brought to you by the same geniuses who put Braille instructions on the drive up window at the bank.

Lets start off by reading Matthew 2:1-12.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)

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." {3} When Herod the king heard this, 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 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.'" {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." {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.

The Wise Men. Tradition says there were three Wise Men. But there is nothing to substantiate this idea. There may have been more or even less. The idea of three comes from verse 11, in the three gifts, Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The real question is, “How did these Wise Men know about the star, the Messiah, and His kingship?”

We have read these 12 verses and we know that this is the only place where the Wise Men are mentioned. How did these Wise Men know? Lets turn to Daniel 2:48-49.

After Daniel had told Nebuchadnezzar his dream and interpreted the dream Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel.

Daniel 2:48-49 (NKJV)

Then the king 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. {49} Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Four men, Jewish men were put into very high positions. Notice in verse 48, Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel chief of all the wise men in Babylon. Since Daniel was chief of the wise men, and we know that Daniel was a righteous prophet of God. It is very likely that Daniel taught the Babylonian wise men to look for the Messiah’s star and to go and worship Christ.

That God revealed the birth of Christ to these Wise Men is beyond question. And that Daniel is the most likely individual to have taught these eastern Wise Men concerning the coming Messiah.

Now I do not want to be dogmatic about this, it is only a suggestion. Based upon Daniel’s character. And the fact that some one had to teach them to look for the Messiah’s star. There was nothing usual or common about the birth and early childhood of Jesus Christ.

Practically every event was unusual or uncommon, totally unexpected. There was the fact of His being God's very own Son, of the virgin birth, of the announcement by angels, of being born in a stable, and on and on.

The unexpected continues right on through the experience of the wise men. The wise men are a picture of those who seek Jesus. As they sought Him, events totally unexpected happened time and again. This is usually the case with those who seek Jesus. But God is faithful. If a person is truly seeking Jesus, God takes the unexpected events and works them out for good. God leads the person to Jesus regardless of circumstances and events, expected or unexpected.