Why Were The Wise Men Wise?

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr.

Fort Stewart, Georgia

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Matthew 2:1-12

II. THE LARGER CONTEXT:

Now, before we begin, allow me to share with you some HISTORICAL TRUES regarding THE BOOK OF MATTHEW. For example, in the Book of Matthew, we find A MANUAL OF CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS which describes Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s will, as was disclosed in the Old Testament.

Matthew opens with the birth of Jesus (in chapters 1-2) and concludes with THE RESURRECTION OF OUR SAVIOUR, AND THE COMMISSIONING OF HIS DISCIPLES, in Chapter 28.

III. THE SMALLER CONTEXT:

Now, in our particualar text, THIS AFTERNOON, Matthew shares with us THE STORY OF "THE WISE MEN VISIT". More specifically, Matthew shares with us, here, that apparently, some time ... after the birth of our Saviour. After Jesus ... had been placed in a MANGER (STALL) according to Luke 2:7 ... JESUS ... MARY AND JOSEPH, THOUGH STILL IN BETHLEHEM ... had now been moved TO A HOUSE (according to Matthew 2:11) WHEN THE ... (MAG-0S) ... or the wise men from the east visited.

In fact, Jesus (HERE) IS CALLED A young child ... RATHER THAN A NEWBORN INFANT, AS HE IS CALLED IN LUKE 2:12.

IV. READ THE PERICOPE: Matthew 2:1-12

V. READ THE TEXT: Matthew 2:1b-2 (...there came wise

men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born

King of the Jews? For we have

seen his star in the east, and are

come to worship him).

VI. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to

others that men have been brought from

far (and by many ways) to WORSHIP

CHRIST.

VII. "WHY WERE THE WISE MEN WISE?"

VIII. PROPOSITION: On this Sunday, as it will be throughout this coming week ... many folk ... in churches, and chapels (alike) .... all around the world ... will enevitably mention THE WISE MEN. SCHOLARS ... HAVE CONDUCTED LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THE WISE MEN, AND MANY LENGENDS AND TRADITIONS HAVE BEEN FORMED ABOUT THEM, AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH OUR SAVIOUR.

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MOVE 1: In fact, some have said, ... the wise men were Kings ... while others have said that they were sorcerers or magicians ... still, ... there are others that maintain ... wise men were priest, scientists or astrologers.

a. My own research ... indicates that "the mag-os" is a Greek word .. that we translate as ... wise men. These wise men were really descendants of an ancient tribe of people known as ... medes ...

b. In fact, ... biblical research shows ... that the mag-os were to Persia ... what the Levites were to Israel. In other words, my brothers ... and my sisters.

c. The mag-os were ... to Babylonians and Persians ... alot like our Old Testament prophet Daniel ... and to a certain extent ... they were like ... Joseph the Dreamer.

d. The truth of the matter is ... the mag-os ... in their day in time ... were regarded as men of holiness ... and wisdom ... who ... advised ... and instructed ... kings

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MOVE 2: But,... throughout the Bible ... the scriptures speaks continously about them ... (Wise Men of Egypt and Babylon) and it portrays them as objects ... of mocking.

a. For you may recall ... that they were continually called upon by Kings and Rulers to interpret ... what the God of Is-ra-el was doing ...

b. Yet .. they always failed to do so.

c. For don’t you remember, ... the wise men failed Pharoah, ... and Nebuchanezzar (provide examples).

d. In fact, reading the scriptures ... we learn that the Bible mocks at ... the wise men ... total inability to discern the times ... and to interpret what ... God .. was saying ...

e. The Apostle Paul says .. in 1 Cor. 1:19-22 ...

f. ...For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. for the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

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MOVE 3: Therefore, the question of the day ... is ... "Why .. were ... the wise men wise?"

a. I submit to you ... that there are three reasons ... why the "Wise Men Were Wise":

b. Now, the first reason, why the "Wise Men Were Wise" was because .. they were not too preoccupied to look up ...