Mystery in a Manger
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The Wise Men
The Wise Men
Matthew 2:1–2 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.””
1. The Wise Men are traveling from the East
Because The Wise Men are from the East, we can infer that they were Gentiles.
2. They are looking for a newborn King
Worship = Proskuneō
Proskuneō
1. To pay homage to authority
2. To worship a deity
Matthew 2:3 (NIV)
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 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.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
They worship Jesus by presenting him with their best.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Wisdom of the Wise Men
Wisdom of the Wise Men
1. They were able to recognize the signs and see God in it
2. They were able to recognize both what was from God... and what was not.
3. They were observant enough to see the King and worship Him.
Jesus was a King who came for all people.
Are we observant enough to see the King and worship Him?