1. The Magi: Coming from Afar
Matthew 2:1-12
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Sunday December 14, 2014

2. Introduction Christmas – my favourite time of year
Mostly because of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christ-child
This is a controversial story
Today’s scripture: two ways to respond

3. The Magi’s Quest
Magi – wise men; studied the stars to understand what was happening on earth
Would have known about Jewish promise of an anointed saviour-king (Messiah, Christ)
Noticed a peculiar star and determined this star indicated the coming of the anointed one
God spoke to them through their skills, talents, interests
A star!

4. The Magi’s Quest
The discovery of the star set the Magi on a quest to find the newborn King of the Jews
Weeks or months of preparation for the quest
Travel plans, guards, attendants, expensive
A very intentional quest
Months later, they arrive in Jerusalem (the center of the Jewish faith)
Ask “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (2:2)
Religious leaders answered… Bethlehem (Micah 5:2,4)
They continued on their quest to Bethlehem

5. Herod’s Quest
Herod was disturbed / troubled / afraid by the Magi’s quest
His title was King of the Jews!
Was fearful that the Magi were announcing the birth of his replacement
His response was to stick to his own quest for:
Self-protection, self-preservation, power, control

6. Herod’s Quest
Herod was cunning – gives the Magi info about where to go next (Bethlehem)
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (2:7-8)
Herod faked a desire to worship the Christ-child
He was a ruthless man, killed three of his sons and one of his wives

7. Herod’s Quest “All of Jerusalem” (2:3) was troubled as well
Because their power was threatened if Herod’s power was threatened
Or because they knew that when Herod was afraid, danger follows
Herod wanted to destroy not worship the Christ-child (more on this during next week’s sermon)
Herod and “all Jerusalem” had the opportunity to join the Magi on their quest
But they did not. They stuck to their own quest for power and control.

8. Magi’s Response Worship & Offering (2:11) They had finally arrived!
“They saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures [resources] and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.“
They had finally arrived!
They worshiped, adored, offered everything
They reached the end of their quest! Or…

9. Magi’s Response … Was it the beginning of a new quest?
2:12 “they returned to their country by another route” (NIV) or “by another way” (NASB)
They took a different travel route to avoid Herod
Would have been troublesome with their large team
Long detours, danger for disobeying Herod, who had large military presence in the area
One encounter with Christ-child  big life change for Magi
They went home in a truly new way
Lives oriented towards God

10. Our Quest Last week at UC: Big flood, power outages, lots of trouble
Why do these things happen?
Why last week just before the Children’s Choir concert?
A community ministry of UC – designed to meet the needs of and bless the neighbourhood, and to build meaningful relationships

11. Our Quest We are all on a quest
Can be unintentional and not meaningful or antithetical to what we believe
Can be unhealthy and not God’s will for our lives
I’ve been asking myself these questions:
Are we on a quest which God has set out for us?
Is our goal encounter with the Christ-child and returning home ‘another way’?
Or are we on a quest of our design?

12. Our Quest
Maybe these building crises are a reminder of who is in control
Maybe they are our “star”
Maybe God is calling us to…
Give up our agendas for His
Re-prioritize our lives towards Loving Christ & Serving the World
Invest more of our selves, resources, treasures into the quest to be His radical transformative presence right here. Right now.

13. Our Quest The choice is ours…
Will we move in closer to God
Or will we remain afar?
Will we allow an encounter with the Christ-child to transform us and send us home a different way?
Or will we cling to our own agendas and ways?
Let us do as the Magi did and follow the star!
And be changed by the Christ-child today!