Look Up, Wisemen, God Will Lead You

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Pray

Who is the king of Israel?

Explanation

Bethlehem of Judea: small village feel

Jerusalem: Big city vibe

Wisemen (Magi): from the east likely modern day Turkey and Iraq, maybe Ethiopia, India.

Known astrologers, not magicians

Im going to wreck the nativity scene.

We don’t know how many there was,

they would have traveled in a royal entourage

and they were not there while Jesus was in the manager.

We do know they were wealthy Kings and religious leaders.

The Star of Bethlehem:

The star is what led these powerful men to Jerusalem.

there are a few places this star is mentioned in the OT.

Baalam and Balik the Moabite

Numbers 24:16–17 HCSB

the oracle of one who hears the sayings of God and has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls into a trance with his eyes uncovered: I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.

That was a prophecy of God to us that He would be sending Jesus as promised.

The wise kings knew of that and what was prophesied to Isaiah

Isaiah 60:1–6 HCSB

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance. Raise your eyes and look around: they all gather and come to you; your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried on the hip. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and rejoice, because the riches of the sea will become yours and the wealth of the nations will come to you. Caravans of camels will cover your land — young camels of Midian and Ephah— all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the Lord.

Argumentation

stars that move, disappear and reappear?

2 views portrayed here

1. Skepticism of God’s Word

2. belief in His Word.

Some people who believe all that is is random and meaningless fixed laws of nature will be skeptics.

Those who believe God’s word see prophecies thousands of years before Jesus’ birth and realize that God created the world, the solar system-the entire universe in order to points us to Himself, even the stars will lead you to Him if you’re seeking.

Psalm 19:1–2 HCSB

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.

The Wisemen, recognized these events as divine guidance, they acted in faith following the star which resulted in

Matthew 2:10 HCSB

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.

Contrast that to King Herod and those in Jerusalem when asked about Jesus.

Political and social turmoil

“disturbed”

Herod was appointed to Jerusalem. He was paranoid of loosing his thrown (Matt 2)

Cesar Augustin

“I’d rather be Herod’s pig that his son.”

The Jews in Jerusalem knew He was reckless and they feared push back.

When God came to His people they rejected Him for fear of world leader’s power of that day.

While the wisemen are overjoyed and declaring to the world “the King of the Jews is here!

those more concerned with the day to day life reject Jesus

Luke 9:25 HCSB

What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?

The wisemen were willing to leave their place of royalty to tell others of the Messiah and then lay their wealth and lives at his feet in worship.

Argumentation

The people there knew the word but did not welcome it in their hearts.

However, the wisemen lead their lives based on the Word of God.

God’s sovereignty is again on display.

The book of Matthew

1. Highlights God’s power over heaven and earth.

2. Contrasts how skeptics reject Jesus and believers rejoice over Him.

3. It begins with the nations from all over the known world coming to Jesus and ends with Jesus commissioning the church to take the message to the nations.

Application

God is in control over all things. He is able to move nature itself in order to lead those seeking to Him to Jesus.

Is God drawing you to Himself?

What brought you here today?

2. Like the wisemen, Our lives should be characterized by devotion, worship and being a witness to God

We settle for so much less than we should. You are wonderfully made and your devotion, and worship should not be wasted on the things of this world, be devoted to God and to worshiping Him, in doing so you will experience exceeding joy.

3. It doesn't matter if you're a king in a castle or a pregnant teenager in the slums, God can lead those who are seeking to Christ.

Are you searching for God?

Is God leading you?

The series is called the one size-fits all gift that never gets returned for this reason.

Those who encounter Jesus realize He is perfect, right, good, and priceless. They never look back, never seek to exchange Him with something else.

WTU closing

Illustration

I read a bumper sticker for an animal shelter

“I rescued a dog because he needed my help, only to find he rescued me because I needed his help”

These men are giving gifts to God but God has given the greater gift to mankind.

to those who believe he has given:

Love, Joy peace...

assurance of eternal life

and an inheritance in heaven worth more than anything in this world.

But its a gift exchange. You must be willing to do what Herod would not.

1. You must believe Jesus is King of your life.

2. Believe He came to free you from the penalty of your sins

3. you must choose to seek Him in devotion and worship.

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