THE WISE MEN Matthew 2: th December 2013

Three responses to Jesus: a) Those who searched for the King b) Those who opposed the King c) Those who ignored the King

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: 1. Who are the Wise Men and where did they come from? 2. How many were there? 3. What is the star they saw and how did it lead them to Bethlehem? 4. How long after the birth of Jesus did they arrive in Jerusalem? 5. How did they know that the baby was going to be the king of the Jews?

Who were the Magi? They were the professors and philosophers of their day. They were brilliant and highly educated Iranian scholars who were trained in medicine, history, religion, prophecy and astronomy. They were also trained in what we would call astrology.

Star of Wonder: What was “his star in the east?” The particular Greek word (aster) is a very general one. It referred to any bright object in the sky. It could refer to: a star, a planet, a meteor, or even to a comet! I believe it was a Supernatural Light

Facts we do know: We know that the Jews were looking for a Messiah We know that the Magi looked to the stars for guidance We know that the Jews and the Magi had intermingled for at least 500 years We know that the Magi would notice any new sign in the sky, therefore, it should not surprise us that the Magi would travel to Jerusalem to greet this new Jewish king. The story in Matthew 2 perfectly fits with everything we know.

The last gasp of a dying man: V3 “When Herod heard the news, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” The word “disturbed” really means to “shake violently.”

The King! He did not look like a king. His home did not look like a castle. He had no scepter in his hand, commanded no armies, gave no speeches, passed no laws. There was nothing to make you think he was a king. To the outward eye, he was nothing but a peasant child born in dire poverty. But to the Magi, he was a king. He possessed more royalty in a cradle than Herod possessed in his fine palace.

Gifts fit for a King: The early church fathers said; Gold represented the wealth and power of a king. Gold pointing to His majesty.....for He is King Frankincense was used in the temple worship of the Lord. It represents his deity–He is truly God born in human flesh. Frankincense pointing to His deity...for He is God Myrrh–a kind of perfume made from the leaves of the cistus rose. It was used in beauty treatments, but when mixed with vinegar it became an anesthetic. Myrrh pointing to his humanity...for He is destined to suffer and to die

The Hymn writer: Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown him again King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a deity nigh. Prayer and praising, all men raising Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom, Sorrowing, sighing, Bleeding dying sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice, Alleluia, Alleluia sounds thru the earth and skies.

Application: 1.If the Wise Men can find Jesus, then so can you. 2. If God can use a star to reach these pagan astrologers, then he can use anything to reach anybody. 3. If the Wise Men offered Jesus gifts fit for a king, then so should we.

Our Response: The Magi were seeking the King Herod was opposing the King The Jewish priests were ignoring the king