The hope of the Magi
Notes
Transcript
This summer my brother, brother-in-law, and my nephew were returning home from St.Louis after a Cardinals game. As we got on I-70 we started heading right towards a storm system which actually produced a Tornado warning in Calloway county. We would hit this storm system head on just east of Warrenton. The rain was heavy, the wind blew, the lightning was so constant you could see the shapes of the clouds were visible upon the horizon. All of a sudden we would see something so incredible that I still can’t believe I witnessed it. A series of lighting strikes seemed to hit simultaneously on either side of the Interstate, and the last bolt of lightning was a flash of green. We had just witnessed a phenomena known as green lightning. It’s so rare the only time it’s been captured on camera was during a volcanic eruption. As we drove on, all of us just marveled at what we’d seen, and we were thankful we’d seen it. I thought to myself “how many people have seen something amazing like this, but they didn’t realize how amazing it was? How many folks have witnessed something amazing, but they didn’t know it was amazing?
Today we start a new series where we study the visit of the Magi. Specifically we are going to look at how the visit of the Magi fulfills all the themes of Advent (Hope,Joy, Love, and Peace) Today we are going to look at the hope of the Magi.
READ Matthew 2:1-10
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, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
We have a lot to unpack here, specifically regarding who these Magi were. They were Persian scholars and astronomers who served the Royalty of Persia. We believe they were Persian because there were 2 well known Magi institutions at the time. One was based in Alexandria Egypt, which is south of Jerusalem. The other was in Babylon, which is east of Jerusalem. Since the text says the Magi came from the east, we believe they were Persian.
The Magi see a phenomena in the stars that would be one of the most rare things they’d ever seem. This phenomena was so monumental the Magi believed it to only mean one thing. A king and a promised one had been born.
This Star was an embodiment of hope for the Magi. This star represented an opportunity they may never have again. This star was so fascinating, and the opportunity so amazing the Magi left their homes and began the several month journey to Jerusalem to see this Child who was born king of the Jews.
But how did they know? How did the Magi know the Jewish people awaited a messiah?
In past sermons we mentioned Daniel's connection to the Magi, and how he basically saved them from Nebuchadnezzar. Also the Jewish people were once held captive by Babylon, during that time the Babylonians would have kept examples of Jewish literature. Literature which would have mentioned Isaiah 9 and similar promises. Literature the Magi are likely familiar with.
When the Magi arrive in Jerusalem, they ask Herod and his court where the one who’d been born king of the Jews was located. The Magi then explained how they had been following his star.
You might expect Herod and his officials to say “Yes, we’ve also seen this messianic star and have been tracking it.
We know they noticed the Star, they wouldn’t have completely missed it. During that time people would sleep on their roof to keep cool. Meaning they would have seen and noticed this star. However it seems like Herod and his court saw this star, but they didn’t recognize it was. Herod and his court saw something amazing, but they didn’t realize it was amazing. When the Magi mentioned the star Herod and his court seemed confused. It wasn’t until the Magi connected this star with the birth of the messiah that Herod and his court became concerned.
If you're not yet sold that Herod and his court were oblivious to how amazing this star really was, consider this. Herod had to ask when the star appeared! In verse 7 Herod asks the Magi when the star had appeared. If Herod and his court recognized the importance of this star, SOMEBODY would have taken record of when it appeared, but apparently no such record existed.
The importance of the star was the embodiment of hope for the Magi, but for Herod and his court it’s importance was unrealized.
This is a cautionary tale. It teaches us that signs of the hope of Jesus can be all around us. However if we don’t understand why they are important we will miss them. So how do we avoid the signs of hope?
Search the scriptures We believe the messiah was able to connect the Star of Bethlehem to the advent of the messiah because they knew the scriptures. The Old Testament is full of prophecies concerning the birth of the messiah
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Lean on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be a gift we don’t utilize often enough. Romans 8 reminds us that when our pain is bad, and hope seems distant the Holy spirit groans on our behalf. The holy spirit has your back. Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Be vulnerable enough to NEED hope Why did Herod and his court miss the hope of the messiah's birth? Because they weren’t searching for hope. When the Magi connected the star to the messiah they were threatened because they didn’t want the hope of the messiah. Herod and his court missed hope, because they didn’t believe they needed hope.
Conclusion: Don’t be afraid to need hope. For years our culture has taught us to appear as if we have it all together. However if we want to make sure we don’t miss hope we must not be afraid to be vulnerable enough to need hope. Lots of people in this room need hope. Those who don’t believe they need hope need to reevaluate some things in life. We all need hope because we don’t always have it together. We aren’t immune to struggles and hardship, we aren’t immune from enduring pain. Don’t miss the hope in Jesus Christ that is meant to heal. Don’t be afraid to hope.