Wisemen Seeking
Searching for Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Talk about losing a set of keys
Talk about losing a set of keys
Talk about searching for the lost
Talk about searching for the lost
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 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.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “ ‘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.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 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.”
9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Who are the Magi (Wiseman)
Who are the Magi (Wiseman)
Matthew (The Magi Seek a New King 2:1–2)
priestly caste among the Medes and Persians
Matthew depicts the magi as Gentiles: They come seeking a king of the Jews, which is the way non-Jews would speak of a Jewish ruler
Against the backdrop of Balaam’s prophecies, as understood by Matthew, the star signifies the appearing of the messianic king who will rule many nations (cf. Num. 24:7 LXX; 24:17). When the magi come looking for this king, they embody the promise of Isaiah 60:3: “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
We must search for Jesus at all cost
We must search for Jesus at all cost
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
The writer of Proverbs urges us to search diligently for something far more precious, wisdom. This strenuous search for wisdom is a search for God Himself (vs. 3-5)
The writer of Proverbs urges us to search diligently for something far more precious, wisdom. This strenuous search for wisdom is a search for God Himself (vs. 3-5)
When Betty Goldstein of Staten Island, New York, entered the hospital, her husband Ron wrapped her 3.5-carat diamond ring in a napkin for safekeeping. But in a forgetful moment, the 63-year-old Goldstein threw the napkin in the trash. When he realized his mistake, he dashed outside, only to see the garbage truck rumbling down the street. So he called the local sanitation department and got permission to follow the truck to a transfer station. Workers began sorting through hundreds of garbage bags and recovered the ring an hour later
We must look for signs that God is giving.
We must look for signs that God is giving.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
The wisemen in this case were given a star to follow
The wisemen in this case were given a star to follow
Follow the directions that God gives us.
Follow the directions that God gives us.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
They did not listen to the king but instead were given a vision and they followed the directions. Luke 2:12 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.””
They did not listen to the king but instead were given a vision and they followed the directions. Luke 2:12 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.””
We must learn to worship the Lord and understand who He is.
We must learn to worship the Lord and understand who He is.
He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The Magi understood he was king (royalty) from the throne of King David and also the Messiah
The Magi understood he was king (royalty) from the throne of King David and also the Messiah
We must give him the best that we have.
We must give him the best that we have.
What did the wisemen give?
What did the wisemen give?
Its told throughout scripture that when a new king was anointed the surrounding kingdoms would present them gifts.
Its told throughout scripture that when a new king was anointed the surrounding kingdoms would present them gifts.
Matthew (The Magi Find a New King 2:9–12)
In any case, the homage or worship which the magi offer to Jesus leaves no doubt about his regal status. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh which the magi take from their treasure coffers and give to Jesus were in fact gifts “fit for a king!” (cf. 1 Kings 10:1–2, 10; Ps. 72:8–11, 15; Isa. 60:6; Song of Sol. 3:6–7).
Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Frankincense (Symbolized his Priest hood) – Was made from a tree sap. Was used in sacrifices in the temple and often associated with the Grain offering, it signified Aaron as the priest of the temple, but was also done in a sign of dedication and worship to God
Frankincense (Symbolized his Priest hood) – Was made from a tree sap. Was used in sacrifices in the temple and often associated with the Grain offering, it signified Aaron as the priest of the temple, but was also done in a sign of dedication and worship to God
The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
Myrrh (Symbolized his death) – Was also made from a tree sap =. It was often used at death to embalm and prepare the body for burial.
Myrrh (Symbolized his death) – Was also made from a tree sap =. It was often used at death to embalm and prepare the body for burial.
Often given to those about to be crucified. Often they would mix myrrh wine to ease the pain
Often given to those about to be crucified. Often they would mix myrrh wine to ease the pain
Mark 15:23 MSG They offered him a mild painkiller (wine mixed with myrrh), but he wouldn't take it.
Gold (Symbolized his kingship) Show that he King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Gold (Symbolized his kingship) Show that he King of Kings and Lord of Lords
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
What does your best look like?
What does your best look like?
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR TOTAL BEING.
Jesus quoted the greatest commandment as loving the Lord “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). To give God only a part of ourselves falls short of loving Him with “all” of who we are. To present ourselves to “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” as commanded in Romans 12:1, is only reasonable in light of what God has done for us
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR TOTAL BEING.
Jesus quoted the greatest commandment as loving the Lord “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). To give God only a part of ourselves falls short of loving Him with “all” of who we are. To present ourselves to “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” as commanded in Romans 12:1, is only reasonable in light of what God has done for us
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR FIRST OF EVERYTHING
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR FIRST OF EVERYTHING
Throughout the Old Testament we read of the Israelites giving God the first fruits and the best of the flock. We serve the same God, still worthy of the first and best of our time, efforts, and resources. To give Him leftover or misdirected time and energy isn’t giving Him the best He deserves.
Throughout the Old Testament we read of the Israelites giving God the first fruits and the best of the flock. We serve the same God, still worthy of the first and best of our time, efforts, and resources. To give Him leftover or misdirected time and energy isn’t giving Him the best He deserves.
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR MOST SUPERIOR WORK.
YOUR BEST INVOLVES GIVING GOD YOUR MOST SUPERIOR WORK.
To give God a half-hearted or sloppy effort falls short of doing whatever we do “for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). How can we be “a workman who does not need to be ashamed” if we inaccurately represent Him (2 Tim. 2:15) because we didn’t take the time required to get it right?
To give God a half-hearted or sloppy effort falls short of doing whatever we do “for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). How can we be “a workman who does not need to be ashamed” if we inaccurately represent Him (2 Tim. 2:15) because we didn’t take the time required to get it right?
You will always find what you are looking for. Think about the difference between two birds: a vulture and a hummingbird. Vultures soar high in the sky, looking and searching. What does a vulture find? Dead things. The ugly oversized bird doesn’t stop until he finds lifeless, rotting road kill. Contrast the vulture to the tiny hummingbird.
With wings flapping twenty beats a second, what does this small bird find? Not dead things and disgusting rancid meat, but instead, sweet, life-giving nectar. Daily, each bird finds what he is looking for. The same is true for you. You can be on a road-kill diet or you can find nectar in each day. It’s up to you, because you will find what you search for.
If you want to find things to be negative about or to worry about, it is not hard to do. If you plan to be critical, you don’t have to look far to find fault. If you choose to be negative, you’ll easily accomplish your goal. But if you want to see the good in life, you can find it everywhere. If you choose to watch for places God is working, you’ll see his loving presence each place you look. If you decide to look for hope, faith, and a better future, you will discover these positive things and more countless times a day
What are you seeking?
What are you seeking?
