“The Magi's Attitude!” Matthew 2:1 – 12 Luke 2:1-20

Matthew 2:1–5 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:  

Matthew 2:6–8 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.”

Matthew 2:9–12 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 challenges … God’s will conflicting their plans King Herod saw a great conflict of God’s will against his plans. Therefore out of fear, pride, and selfishness he became disturbed and had a secret plot to murder the Child-King. Magi were Nobel people, living in their comfort. but they left that comfort, defiling the odds of the unfriendly weather; they journeyed from the east to Jerusalem.

The challenges … Humility and understanding King Herod and his team lacked humility and understanding of the will of God even though they knew the scriptures and were in Jerusalem. (Hosea 4:6, Proverbs 16:18) The Magi were not Jews yet believed the leadings of God. They allowed themselves to be led by the Lord through the star to fulfill their assignment in life. (1 Chron. 12:32, 1 Peter 5:6)

The Attitudes of the Magi They “SEEK the New BORN KING”! – the verse 2 says, “Where is the One who is born the King of the Jews?” and verse 7 “Go and search carefully for the young Child,…” “Seek the Lord while He may be found…” Isaiah 55:6. They came with the spirit of injury to SEEK the Lord! Therefore, they ask, "WHERE IS HE?"

The Attitudes of the Magi 2. "The Magi Worshiped, - Let Us Also Worship" the verse 2b “…come to worship Him.” And the verse 11b, “…and fell down and worshiped Him.” – They came prepared to worship the Lord! They came prepared to WORSHIP the KING! The Bible says, the Lord is looking for people who will Worship Him in Spirit and truth, like the Magi did. John 4:23-24.

The Attitudes of the Magi 3. "The Magi Offer Gifts, Let Us Also Offer Gifts." – The verse 11c, “…they opened their treasurer and offered a gift!” Giving is an attitude of God! For God so love the world that He GAVE! John 3:16. The Magi knew this, and therefore, they were full of the attitude of God, so they gave! Their giving was not ordinary, the John 3:16, said “…God gave His ONLY Son…” not one of them but the Only Son whom He love.

Benefit of sincere Attitude to God “The Lord Directed Them The Way To Go” – in verse 12, “…being warned of God in a dream…” The Lord kept the Magi away from danger! – the Lord gave them a dream about their future that led them into the way of safety

Beloved, are we prepared? Summary Beloved, are we prepared? To SEEK the Lord regardless of the obstacles? To WORSHIP the Lord with all our lives without holding on to our status, or pride? To OFFER our GIFTS to Him – by showing love, kindness and support to the needy?

ARE we PREPARED to leave our COMFORT zone: Summary ARE we PREPARED to leave our COMFORT zone: With the heart prepared to SEEK the Lord, by reaching out to the unreached. With a prepared heart to WORSHIP the Lord – without allowing anything to hinder us. With prepared GIFTS to OFFER unto the Lord - giving our lives, giving to the needy and supporting others in prayer.

Let us come before the Lord in Prayer ABOVE ALL!!! Are we PREPARED to MEET JESUS CHRIST? This YEAR or the YEARS to COME as the JUDGE? Jesus MIGHT wants to visit our families, etc. but ARE WE PREPARED for Him? Let us come before the Lord in Prayer Seeking the Lord in the coming year…. Worship the Lord in the coming year… Offering our lives and substance in the coming year…

Matthew 2:1 – 12 Our ATTITUDE will determine our DESTINY! “The Visit of the Magi” Matthew 2:1 – 12 Our ATTITUDE will determine our DESTINY!