Matt 2 _ Magi_ sermon notes

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Title:

Intro: Each Gospel has it’s record of the birth (incarnation) of Jesus. Some are more detailed than others.

Mark – Action Packed – quick to get to the facts – (Dragnet Sgt Joe Friday “all we want are the facts ma’am”)

Opening verse - Jesus Christ the Son of God.

No Genealogy (other than Son of God) – in Roman culture the birth of servants were not important (suffering servant)

John – vs 1:14 The word became flesh and dwelt among us

Luke - gives us the most detailed account (possibly told from the testimony of Mary – Genealogy through Mary)

Matthew – (traces through Joseph) The story of the Magi is (popular)

Christmas cards – Christmas Carols – Christmas plays – Nativity scene will have 3 wise men or Kings –

Many misconceptions – The Bible never provides a number of the Magi

Never identifies them as kings

Never States they come from the orient

Never states they visit Jesus while He was a baby laying in the manger in a stable surrounded by shepherds, sheep, and camels.

What does the Bible tell us about the Magi and their journey to see the Christ Child?

Who were the Magi Vs. 1-2

Matthew is the only Gospel writer that mentions the Magi – makes sense “where is He who has been born King of the Jews.”

Wise men (Greek Magos “Ma – gos”)

Magi – much misinformation of their identity

Magi (1st) 7th BC Median Empire (Northern Iran )

Became part of Persian Empire

Spread to Babylon, Arabia, and other countries

Priest (dressed in all white) – offered sacrifices (pagen)

practiced magic – In Acts 8:9 the related verb describes Simon as practicing sorcery, with a bad connotation. Acts 13:6-8 Magician (Magos)

Interpreted Dreams – Daniel 1:20, 2:2, 4:7, 5:7 (Babylon Exile)

studied and practiced Astronomy (Stars and planets influenced human life)

3 kings – Tertullian called them kings in the late 2nd century -early 3rd

Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Ps 72:10.

Number is not recorded (3) number of gifts given

Application: Pagan Priest who God stirred the heart of, for them to seek and find the King of the Jews.

God Promises that anyone who earnestly seeks Him will find Him (Matt. 7:7, Jer. 29:13)

This story of the most holy of occasions, the birth of Jesus reveals how God worked to announce the Messiah’s birth to the Gentile world.

Presents a great illustration of men from ungodly cultures desiring to know and worship the True God.

The Magi’s Journey and Arrival

Came from the East

Median (Persia) (Iran) 1,000 miles

Babylon 880 miles

Long way! Take many weeks to make the voyage!

They may have a rode a camel for some of the way -

A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD. Is 60:6.

Camels were often used to bear burdens – carried heavy loads like supplies

A young Camel can travel 100 miles per day – but with men walking a 1,000 miles would take longer (flat ground, good shoes, at a brisk pace….. 3 miles per hour. 10 hours nonstop – 30 miles a day (33 days)

In Judea you could walk around 20 miles a day

Believe there were more than 3 – journey from Persia to Jerusalem would have been dangerous (traveled in greater numbers)

Wild Animals

Lions

(Worse than Lions) Syrian Bears (Brown bear – 550lbs aggressive very unpredictable)

Bandits (rob you kill you) would have to move cautiously sometimes very slowly

Sand, pebbles, rocks, mountains, desert!

Lodging – there wasn’t a Holiday Inn express

Find a good place to set camp

Camels carried tents – rations – water – etc etc

Slow moving!

We don’t know how long it was after they saw the star that they left. I doubt it was immediately. There was probably some time for research.

Journey raises more questions

How did the men know to ask “Where is He born King of the Jews?”

Why would they make this long hazardous trip to worship a baby?

Why did they think Jesus was in Jerusalem?

What about the star from the East?

Not everyone returned to Judea from the exile.

( Zerubbabel (538) returned with about 50,000, Ezra returned (458) with 1,758. )Nehemiah unknown

Some of the people found great prosperity and stayed

The Magi may have heard from the Jewish people who stayed.

Apparently religious leaders like Ezekiel were able to lead religious meetings during the time of exile.

It came about in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, as I was sitting in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell on me there. Eze 8:1.

While in Captivity it is said of Ezra

This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. Ezr 7:6.

It is possible that the Magi had read of the coming of the King in the Law

“A star shall come out Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17

Scepter – speaks of kingship.

The Magi believed an extremely bright star indicated the birth of a king

the star they saw in the east probably alerted them to the prophecy.

They had other prophetic Scripture (Daniel),

Micah 5:1-2 (place of Birth)

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Mic 5:2.

Isaiah – telling of His kingly rule

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God ,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Is 9:6.-7

Why did they go to Jerusalem – Capital – it made since that a king would be found there. ( and the stars leading)

The prompting of the Holy Spirit and the realization of the birth of a king of this magnitude being born motivated the Magi to make that long trip

“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God ,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this”

Application: Traveled 1,000 miles to see a baby …. We can’t travel 10 minutes to join in corporate worship of the One who sacrificed Himself to save us

NB) God bypassed proud Jerusalem and chose humble Bethlehem.

But isn’t God grand – He announces Himself to the World (Jew and Gentile) through His word and a miraculous signs in the heavens.

The star

What we know about the star

It appeared and disappeared. “For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Vs. 2 when they left Herod “the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was” Mt 2:9. Came – come or arrived. Gives the idea that star reappeared, perhaps they had not seen it the entire trip, because VS. 10 says “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”.

The Magi called it “His Star” vs. 2 This star was assigned to Him

It appeared in the East (East of Jerusalem) then moved West towards Israel

It led the Wise Men to a specific house in Bethlehem Vs. 9

It most likely appeared to them the night Jesus was born.

Lot of Speculation over the star

Nova

Supernova

Comet

Alignment of planets

1603, astronomer Johannes Kepler reported seeing an unusual aligning of Jupiter and Saturn and through extensive studies he found that the same alignment of planets was seen in 6 BC

But if you believe the Bible you see that this couldn’t be Natural but is supernatural

A special star created by God for the unique purpose of guiding the wise men to Jesus.

SOME SCHOLARS SAY “if this star was natural, because of it’s magnitude life on Earth would be destroyed because of it’s intense brightness.

Some believe that the star radiated the brilliance of Gods Glory – Shekinah Glory -Shinning Majesty that accompanies God’s presence

Like the angel who announces Jesus to the shepherds in Luke’s gospel.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. Lk 2:9.

Stars naturally move east to west due to the rotation of the earth.

Scripture says the star moved from Jerusalem (North) to Bethlehem (South)

More so – it went before them until it came and stood over where Jesus was. VS 9

Natural stars don’t stop moving and they don’t lead people to a particular location.

Some believe the star was an angel - In the Scriptures, as well as in other ancient Jewish texts, stars and angels were often closely identified with each other

1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.2 Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts. 3 Praise Him, sun and moon;praise Him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Psalm 148:1-4

It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down. Da 8:10.

As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Rev 1:20.

If the star that guided the Magi was an angel, then there is a beautiful connection between an angel declaring the birth of Christ and an angel (bright like lightning) later bearing witness to the women at the tomb that Jesus is alive (Matt 28:2–6).

Some compare the star of Bethlehem to the pillar of fire that guided Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

Application: Angel – Pillar of fire – It was God’s doings. He displays His sovereign control over all things.

We can take delight in understanding that God enjoys revealing Himself.

How has God revealed Himself to you – (His word)

Herod’s wicked Plot

We see in vs. 3 – when the Magi arrived there was a great commotion. When Herod heard he was troubled along with all of Jerusalem.

Troubled – Stirred up – shaken to the core

Why would Jerusalem be shaken because of this? You would think they would be joyous.

Could it be they were disturbed by anything that might mess up the status qou – anything that could upset Rome or Herod.

Rome was known to squash rebellion – Herod was known for slaughtering anyone who threatened his thrown.

Citizens of Jerusalem feared the brutality of Herod

We see Spiritual blindness and insincere worship of the people God chose to make His name great among.

As for Herod he was wicked, paranoid and suspicious. He mistrusted everyone around him, especially when it came to his position as King.

Herod was not Jewish by ethnicity –

Decedent of Esau (edomite)

From Idumea – region due south of Judea

Appointed governor by Roman General Mark Antony in 37 BC

Later the Roman Empire appointed him king over Judea

Herod feared losing his crown since he was not born Jewish nor was he a descendent of King David

He was a convert to Judaism, but his conversion was perhaps politically motivated

We can see examples of his “conversion” by his construction of the Temple “Herod’s Temple”

Called Herod the Great because of his magnificent building programs – He was a genius architect and builder.

But his wickedness is seen in his plot Vs. 16-23

But it was said _ “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son.

Herod murdered 3 of his own sons – due to fear of losing his throne

He had one of his nine wives murdered also

Killed 300 of his officers –

As a convert to Judaism – swine was unclean there wasn’t much of a chance Herod would have a pig butchered or ate. But as his son you were in danger of losing your life if he felt threatened.

If you were close to him you were in danger of losing your life.

The Magi inquiry fed Herod’s paranoia and he took immediate action.

Vs. 4 He gathered the chief priest and scribes and asked them “Where will the Messiah be born.”

The Jewish leaders knew the prophecy of Micah (5:2) told Herod Bethlehem.

Nb) The spiritual leaders of Israel knew the prophecy about the Messiah’s birth but made no attempt to travel 5 miles to see if the KING of the Jews had been born.

Herod wasted no time- he called the Magi in asked when did the star appear Vs. 7

Then set in place a deceptive and diabolical plan – go find the baby and come back and tell me so I may worship Him too.

Herod had no intention to worship Jesus – He every intention of murdering Him and probably His family too.

The immediately left Vs. 9 (Hearing the king – they went their way) they saw the star and rejoiced.

It guided them all the way to Bethlehem – not only to Bethlehem but to the exact house where Jesus lived.

They had arrived – a long hard trip but don’t you think their trip was worth it?

The Magi’s adoration

After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Mt 2:11

House - It is clear that such time had passed - Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were no longer in a stable or a cave but a house.

The entire trip possibly took several months (Herod ordered every male child 2 years and under)

NB) but the final destination was worth it.

They found Jesus! They fell at His feet and worshiped Him.

Nb) THEY GAVE THESELVES TO HIM BEFORE PRESENTING HIM WITH PRESENTS.

Then they opened their treasures and gave Jesus gifts fit fir a king.

Gold – rare and valuable metal – A gif fit for a king. (gold coins often were cast bearing an image of the king) symbolizes God deity, His majesty, and His glory. it speaks of the shining perfection of His divine Person. (We know that *fuller revelation of NT* Jesus is all these things)

Frankincense – In the Old Testament, frankincense was used primarily for worship. It was one of the ingredients for the incense in the tent of meeting (Exod 30:34) How fitting a gift for the object of our worship, fragrance of the life of sinless perfection (the only life that perfectly please God!!!!!)

Myrrh – ingredient used to make perfumes – it was also used to embalm bodies ( Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. Jn 19:39.) Symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice, death, and burial. Speaks of the sufferings He would endure in bearing the sins of the world

A long journey that ended in worship!

A long journey well worth it. Met the Savior.

Think about what they saw – imagine the Lord baby – remember when you looked at your baby for the 1st time. Your heart was captured, for a moment nothing else mattered. Their hearts were captured by Jesus. Is your heart captured by Jesus?

Is it interesting that the first people made aware of the Messiah the first who came and worshiped Him included out cast?

Shepherd’s – unclean because of their duty, not fit to practice religion in the temple. Looked down upon and demeaned. Yet Jesus made them clean and they worshipped the object of true religion.

The Magi – Pagan priest, unclean because of their ethnicity, unclean because of their forms of religion yet made clean by their worship of Jesus.

The Gentile traveled 1,000 miles to worship Jesus yet the religious of that day would travel 5.

Application: We learn some interesting lesson from this account.

God is no respecter of persons. God is impartial and He desires for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Jews and Gentiles, lowly shepherdes and the well to do.

We see God’s power and drawing. He Guided the wise men to find Jesus in a miraculous way. (John 6:44) We cant force people to believe but we can inform them. The Magi were drawn and traveled 1,000 miles while the Jewish Religious leaders stayed in Bethlehem

Finding God’s will for our lives.

Their experience is a good lesson in finding the will of God: (1) they followed the light God gave them; (2) they confirmed their steps by the Word of God; and (3) they obeyed God without question and He led them each step of the way. Note that they went home by “another way

The wise men sought Jesus …… WISE MEN STILL SEEK JESUS.

What are you seeking this Christmas? A gift, time off of work, or our seeking to walk closely – hand in hand with Jesus? Worshiping Jesus.

MAGI (Măʹ ġī) Eastern wise men, priests, and astrologers expert in interpreting dreams and other “magic arts.” 1. Men whose interpretation of the stars led them to Palestine to find and honor Jesus, the newborn King (Matt. 2). The term has a Persian background. The earliest Greek translation of Dan. 2:2, 10 uses “magi” to translate the Hebrew term for astrologer (cp. 4:7; 5:7). The magi who greeted Jesus’ birth may have been from Babylon, Persia, or the Arabian Desert. Matthew gives no number, names, or royal positions to the magi. Before a.d. 225 Tertullian called them kings. From the three gifts the deduction was made that they were three in number. Shortly before a.d. 600 the Armenian Infancy Gospel named them: Melkon (later Melchior), Balthasar, and Gaspar. The visit of the magi affirms international recognition by leaders of other religions of Jesus’ place as the expected King. 2. In Acts 8:9 the related verb describes Simon as practicing sorcery, with a bad connotation. Such negative feelings had long been associated with some uses of the term. 3. In Acts 13:6, 8 Bar-Jesus or Elymas is designated a sorcerer or one of the magi as well as a false prophet. At Paul’s word the Lord blinded Simon, showing God’s power over the magic arts.

Gifts

gold, appropriate for a king; incense, in worship myrrh, hinting of Jesus’ death

The symbolism of the gifts goes back to Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 3.9.2 (Brown, Birth, 199).

Star:

Alternatively, the term “star” could be another way of saying an angel guided the Magi (Allison, “Magi’s Angel,” 17–41). In the Scriptures, as well as in other ancient Jewish texts, stars and angels were often closely identified with each other (Psa 148:1–4; Isa 24:21–23; Dan 8:10; Rev 1:20; 9:1–2; 12:3–4;

The phrase “heavenly hosts” was used somewhat interchangeably for both. This also comports with the role of angels as messengers of Jesus’ birth and young life in Matthew (Matt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19). If the star that guided the Magi was an angel, then there is a beautiful symmetry between an angel declaring the birth of Christ and an angel (bright like lightning) later bearing witness to the women at the tomb that Jesus is alive (Matt 28:2–6).

Another option is that it was some other supernatural event that the Magi (and Matthew) call a “star” because of its brightness (Osborne, Matthew, 87). This phenomenon would bear a striking similarity with the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites in the wilderness (Exod 13:21–22). The event, then, would fit with Matthew’s presentation of Jesus’ life as a recapitulation of the history of Israel (Matt 1:17; 2:15; 4:1). This option and the above suggestion that it was an angel are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Exodus 14:19 reads, “Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them” (ESV). Here, the moving supernatural phenomenon is also an angel sent from God.

Mark A. Jennings, “Star in the East,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).