The love of the Magi

Matthew 2:1–12 ESV

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. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

During this Christmas season we’ve been studying the visit of the Magi. The Magi are one of these aspects of the Christmas story which have rightly been the subject of many observations and discussions over the years. This morning we are going to examine some of the common discussions and debates that surround this mysterious yet vitally important aspect of the Christmas story. So here are some common, and perhaps not so common observations regarding the Magi.

The Magi were not kings. I love the song “We three kings” as much as anyone. However, to refer to these guys as “Kings” is simply incorrect. While they would have been men of status, they would not have been royalty. However it’s likely they served as advisors to the Kings of Persia. They would have sought to understand the world through study, literature, astrology, and interpretations of dreams.

There were probably more than Three Magi The scripture never comes out and says there were only three Magi. Over the years we’ve assumed there were only three because they present three gifts. However when you look at the context provided, it seems likely the Magi traveled in a large party. So why do we think this to be the case?

Let’s suppose hypothetically speaking you are put in change of moving 350 Billion dollars from the Federal Reserves bank in Washington D.C and move it to San Francisco. If you were given this job, I assume you would have a crew larger than three people right? You’d probably have quite a large security detail to ensure you aren’t robbed.

The Magi would have been transporting very expensive gifts. It seems unlikely they would have transported these expensive items without a substantial amount of armed security.

Also notice that when the Magi entered Jerusalem and speak with Herod, the text says he was troubled when the Magi asked where the one who’d been born king of the Jews was born. Not just Herod, but all of Jerusalem with them. The city was in a stir, would three people cause such a stir? Unlikely. A hoard of foreigners? Yes, much more likely. Also it should be noted that Herod was insane and paranoid. Anyone who even hinted at challenging his power was executed. He would have his own wife and sons executed because he believed them to threaten his throne. The Magi challenge Herods right to rule, and listen to how they framed the question. “Where is the one who was born King of the Jews”? Born, not appointed by an occupying Government. In other words the Magi as Herod, rather brazenly and bluntly, “Where is the rightful king who’s supposed to sit in the throne you believe to be yours? This question would have warranted immediate execution in the eyes of Herod the Great. So why didn’t he execute them? If there were simply three Magi present, they likely would have been executed. However if a caravan of Magi showed up with an armed escort, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Herod to have them executed.

However don’t freak out and start adding a bunch of wisemen to your Magi set. Instead you should remove any Magi you have in your nativity

The Magi were not present at the Nativity. The text more less says this outright. When the Magi saw the star come to rest over the place where the Child was, it wasn’t a stable, it was a house. When the Magi entered the house, Mary was there with Jesus.

The presence of the Magi is a complete surprise. The bible loves to have surprising people do surprising things. When Jesus is risen from the grave, it’s not his disciples that run around telling everyone, it’s the women. This is a surprise because the culture would not readily accept the testimony of women. When Jesus is born it’s surprising to see the promised Messiah born in such humble conditions. When Jesus chooses his disciples, it’s surprising he doesn’t choose the most well known Jewish students, but rather humble fisherman. It’s surprising to see a group of foreign Magi worship Jesus in such a humble way.

The Magi are Gentiles, a people typically considered to be unclean by Old Testament standards. Yet we have these Gentiles readily accepting prophecy that Jesus is the Messiah, while many Jews would reject it. What prophecy specifically?

Notice what the Magi said to Herod. They saw “His” star rise in the east? They are referring to an Old Testament prophecy which indicates a star will announce the savior's arrival. This prophecy is found in Numbers 24:17

Numbers 24:17 ESV

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

The Magi see this to mean the one promised to be King of the Jews to be born, because the prophecy was fulfilled, they saw his star. It’s yet again surprising these Gentiles are able to recognize fulfilled prophecy, while many Jews are not.

The Magi use Astrology, which the bible cautions against. This is what it says in Deuteronomy 18:10

Deuteronomy 18:10 ESV

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer

The Magi wouldn’t really practice divination, that’s a practice that suggests the stars control your life. The Magi simply believe the stars can be an indication of important events.

However for many, what the Magi do would be considered too close to the act of divination for comfort.

The purpose of this study has been to show how the Magi display all the themes of advent. We’ve seen them display hope, we’ve seen them display joy, now we see them display love. I realize the scripture doesn’t say the Magi “Love Jesus” but when you consider what Robert Morris says about love, you’ll realize they love Jesus. Robert Morris says Worship can best be described as love expressed. The Magi are expressing love through worship.

The Magi are people the Old Testament suggests they avoid. Yet here they are, worshiping Jesus. Yet here they are, showing the king of kings an act of love. These men of wealth, power and status worship the Christ Child. This is an announcement. God is saying “I am making all things new, and that under the covenant of Jesus there will be no slave, free, male, or female, but only those who are either are or are not redeemed by the blood of Jesus. These astronomer gentiles worshiping Jesus is a reinforcement of a teaching from the Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 1:27-31

1 Corinthians 1:27–31 ESV

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Let us be thankful for all that God does to use the foolish things to shame the wise. Let us act according as the Magi did, by expressing our love though worship.