Wise Men seek the Wise God

Introduction:

Connection:

Who do you submit to? Who do you serve? Who do you delight in? Who do you worship? Who do you bow before? Who do you seek?

These are all pressing questions. They are eternally important questions. They are spiritually revealing questions. You shall know them by their fruit. The answer to these questions, in our own personal lives, shows us whose Kingdom we belong to—and who is Lord of our hearts. Let us be diligent to ensure that we answer these questions biblically, and that we follow the lead of the wise men in the Gospel of Matthew.

Theme:

Wise Men seek the Wise God

Need:

The Scripture says this about Christ: I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence—I have counsel and sound wisdom—by me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just (Pr. 8:12; 14)—Kiss the Son—lest you perish in the way. For He must reign—until he has made all his enemies his footstool (Ps. 2; 110).

We need to seek this Wisdom, this Christ, this King, this Messiah—along with the wise men of old, to find true wisdom in the only wise God.

Purpose:

To exhort us to bow the knee in worship to Christ the Lord, to prove to us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of OT prophecy, and to comfort us with the exceedingly great joy that is found in serving our King.

Recap:

Last Sabbath we looked at the birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us—who was born to save his people from their sins, by bringing them into his redemptive kingdom of grace—we saw the faith and obedience of both Mary and Joseph, and how the Lord used them both to bring the promised Redeemer—and we saw that this child who was born was the one promised long ago, the promised Ruler, Judge, Redeemer, and King.

Matthew is continuing to unfold the story that progresses after the birth of Jesus, and how the OT is fulfilled in the Person and Work of our Messiah and his Kingdom. So with these themes in mind, let’s continue on this morning in the Gospel of Matthew:

Open your Bibles to:

Matt. 2:1-12 ESV

PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY

(1) Wise and Foolish Men Respond to the Newborn King - v. 1-6

Matthew 2:1–6 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.’ ”

(1) Wise and Foolish Men Respond to the Newborn King - v. 1-6

The birth of Christ Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophets, and was the fruition of God’s redemptive plan to bring salvation to all the peoples—and to bring judgment upon all those who refuse to bow the knee to Christ the Lord. But before we unpack these verses, we need to know something about Herod the King. One scholar summarizes the life and character of this bloody and wicked king:

Carson: Herod the Great, as he is now called, was born in 73 B.C. and was named king of Judea (King of the Jews) by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C. By 37 B.C. he had crushed, with the help of Roman forces, all opposition to his rule. Son of the Idumean Antipater, he was wealthy, politically gifted, intensely loyal, an excellent administrator, and clever enough to remain in the good graces of successive Roman emperors … But he loved power, inflicted incredibly heavy taxes on the people, and resented the fact that many Jews considered him a usurper [of the throne]. In his last years, suffering an illness that compounded his paranoia, he turned to cruelty and in fits of rage and jealousy killed close associates, [killed] his wife, and [killed] at least two of his sons.

This is no silent night. This is not your average white-Christmas-story-celebration. This is dark night. And this is a realistic story of a cruel and oppressive king who is enraged at the birth of Christ the Lord.

And so it’s in light of this context, of a false King of the Jews, that is born the true King of Jews. Because of this, we see two opposite responses from the wise men, and from King Herod. Firstly we see it in the wise men:

1 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, 2 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.”

After the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us—the promised King and Savior of God’s people—Matthew tells us that the very first people to come and worship him are not Jews, but Gentile and Pagan wise men or magi. Matthew doesn’t mention this without purpose. This King of the Jews is also King of the Gentiles—he came to rule and redeem the true Israel of God, true children of Abraham, and to bring them both into his Kingdom of grace. And so here it is! The first to come and worship King Jesus are wise men from pagan lands, who came from the land of the East all the way through a painstaking journey, in order to worship the new born King! This would have been a long, wearisome, painful, difficult, and dangerous journey through difficult terrain—and yet here they are—putting to shame those who are living within hands-reach of the Messiah. These wise men seek true wisdom, in the only wise God, who was born to bring the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Spurgeon: The world’s wise men are not often found bowing at the feet of Jesus. When wise men seek our King they are wise indeed.

And what led them to Jerusalem? Matthew says it was the star of Christ! They saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him! What was this star? Was it a miraculous light shining? Was it a regular constellation? We don’t really know. But we do know that it was prophesied that when the Messiah would come, his star would shine bright, and his scepter would be established in his Reign and Rule over all the Nations:

Genesis 49:10 ESV

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

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.

God had promised from long ago, that when Messiah was born, his scepter, his reign, his rule, his empire, his kingdom would come—and not just for Israel—but both of these prophecies tell us that his kingdom would grow and expand and include the Gentiles. He would bring the obedience of the peoples, of the nations that trust in Jesus, and he would crush the wicked Pagans who don’t submit to his Kingdom. Ever since the OT, we are told that King Jesus would come, a star would shine, and a scepter would rise, for the benefit of all the nations, tribes, and tongues!

Oh what blessed hope there is for us Gentile sinners! King Jesus, born King of the Jews, was also born to bring us distant Gentiles into his Kingdom. The wise men are a glaring picture of the international hope of grace that is found Jesus for all who believe.

John 1:11–12 ESV

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

And so it was—the first to come and worship this newborn King were not the ethnic Jews, but ethnic Gentiles who became true Israelites indeed.

The first response is of these wise men, who joyfully and diligently seek after this King—who is the desire of the Nations—and who came to bless the nations with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. However, the second response shown in this text is precisely the opposite:

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

The wise men were thrilled to come and worship the King! But Herod the King was troubled because of this child—and not only Herod—but all Jerusalem with him.

Remember, Herod was known in his day as the King of the Jews, who was a usurper of the throne! He did not have the right to sit as Ruler of the Jews—and so when he heard the news that the true King of the Jews was born, he was shaken to the core, troubled in his soul, and furious in his tyranny. Why? Because that meant a rival king had been born. Herod, not seeing the spiritual nature of the Kingdom of Christ, was concerned that this King would overthrow his political rule, and that he would lose his bloody seat of rule and oppression.

But I think there is more going on here as well. Not only was Herod afraid, but so was all Jerusalem with him—what were they afraid of? I think these people knew that when Messiah would come, then so would the abomination of desolation, a day of the Lord’s judgment on the land, and the coming of the Kingdom of Christ that would span from sea to sea, from the River, and to the ends of the earth—all men and women would have to serve this King, or else they would perish in the way—for He must rule, until he has put all his enemies under his feet (Dan. 9; Ps. 2; Ps. 110). The prophet Daniel spoke so long ago:

Daniel 9:26 ESV

And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

The Jews knew that when the Christ, the Anointed One shall come, that he would be cut off in his death for the salvation of his people, then he would send an army to destroy the city of Jerusalem and it’s temple—the end of the temple will come with wars—and it shall be left desolate. This Messiah came to bring both judgment and salvation—wrath and grace—punishment and mercy.

So yes, there was great cause to be troubled—there was great cause to be afraid! The King had come, which meant salvation for those who believe, and judgment for those who deny Him. And so, in dreadful fear, King Herod hurried together the chief priests and scribes of the people, and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born! If this newborn King was truly the Anointed one—then we are in big trouble!—for the day of his wrath is dawning on this apostate land, and I will be crushed as he destroys all opposition to his Lordship and Dominion. And so the chief priests hurry together an answer. Where would the Christ be born?

5 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.’ ”

The religious leaders of the day, knowing their Old Testament Scriptures well, didn’t even question for a moment that the promises of God would come to pass in a single individual who would be the Messiah—they were able to find prophecies about the birth of the Christ—whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days—the Ancient of Days would be born in the little town of Bethlehem.

And so everything King Herod feared might be true—this child who was born might just be the King of kings, and the Lord of lords—this child who was born might just be the true heir to the throne of David—this child who was born might just be the one who would bring judgment and salvation. And what would any right-minded person do at this point? Repent and believe! Trust and Obey! Bow the knee! But what does Herod do? We will see shortly that he puts together a wicked scheme to try and abort the Mission of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Little did he know, that no one can stay his hand.

Truly this proves the total depravity of mankind, dead in their sins—for here we have the ruler, and the religious leaders, all holding divine prophecy in their hands—and instead of following the course of the wise men, to seek and serve, to worship and adore—they plot together against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, let us burst their bonds apart, and cast away their cords from us! (Ps. 2).

God warns in Psalm 2, to the kings of the earth:“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O ruler of the earth!”. With divine warning before King Herod, and divine example of the wisdom of the Wise men—he continues his attempt to thwart the hand and redemptive plan of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

What foolishness is the sin of mankind—what stupidity is the sin of our hearts—against all right reason and proper judgment—to continue to indulge in the impossible, trying to overthrow the glory of Christ the King. This calls for some application by way of self-examination:

Ryle: These verses show us that there may be knowledge of Scripture in the head, while there is no grace in the heart. We are told that King Herod sent to inquire of the priests and elders “where the Christ was to be born” (verse 4). We are told that they gave him a quick answer, and showed an accurate acquaintance with the letter of Scripture. But they never went to Bethlehem to seek the coming Saviour. They would not believe in him when he ministered among them. Their heads were better than their hearts. Let us beware of resting satisfied with head knowledge. It is an excellent thing when rightly used. But a person may have much of it, and still perish everlastingly. What is the state of our hearts? This is the great question. A little grace is better than many gifts. Gifts alone save no one; but grace leads on to glory.

Calvary, let us be truly wise, fearing the Lord, receiving his Word, seeking King Jesus, repenting of our sins, walking by the Spirit, and living for God’s glory—let us not rest content with head knowledge—but let us strive for true heart knowledge, with true love, affection, adoration, and devotion to King Jesus! Let us not be foolish like King Herod and the Jews—but wise like the Pagan Men who left all they had, to worship Christ the Lord. Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him!

(1) Wise and Foolish Men Respond to the Newborn King - v. 1-6

And now Matthew shows us the lying tongue of the wicked plan of Herod to abort and murder the true heir to the throne:

(2) The Tyrannical King Raged and Plotted in Vain - v. 7-8

Matthew 2:7–8 ESV

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.”

(2) The Tyrannical King Raged and Plotted in Vain - v. 7-8

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise” (Ps. 2:10)—and so with a hypocritical appearance of wisdom, King Herod summons the wise men, who were wise indeed—and he interrogates them to figure out when the star appeared; in order to advance his bloody dictate to defeat the Son of God.

8 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.”

King Herod, concealing his wicked plan, outwardly appeared wise by asking the wise men to go and find this child. Outwardly he appeared godly. Outwardly he appeared holy. Outwardly he appeared sincere. But inwardly he had wicked plans to hold his unjust reign from the throne, by continuing his oppressive rule and opposition to the King of kings.

Poole: To what end he made this inquiry may be learned from ver. 16; [namely], that he might be able to govern himself in his bloody decree, that he might [destroy this Child—the King of the Jews].

Here we see that someone can profess with their lips and acknowledge the truth of the matter outwardly—but inwardly they are a ravenous wolf, whose heart is far from the Lord, whose true plan is self-exaltation, and self-acclamation. Let us be warned of having the appearance of godliness, but denying its true power in the soul:

2 Timothy 3:1–5 ESV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

As the last days were dawning in the birth of Messiah—this abusive King Herod rose up with an attempt to extinguish the fires of God’s judgment and mercy that were going to flow through Immanuel—the Saviour of the World. And so having an appearance of godliness, outwardly confessing his desire to worship this child—he revealed his true colours, as he was in bondage to the sinful desires of his own heart, as a child of wrath, a servant of Satan, and a selfish King. What a foolish thing to do. Had not King Herod learned from King Nebuchadnezzar that the Kingdom of Christ was unstoppable?

Daniel 4:34–35 ESV

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

Had King Herod not read the rest of Psalm 2 which says:

Psalm 2:4–6 ESV

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Yet his stony heart, being blinding by the god of this world, Satan, and being employed by him to attempt to kill this holy child—he advanced onward in an attempt to murder the Author of Life—by raging against the one, true and living God, the Lord of Hosts, the God of Angel Armies.

This foolishness is like ants trying to move Mount Everest—like mankind trying to stand in a coming Tsunami—it’s an impossible and sinful thing to try and stop the unstoppable power of our God.

Let us learn that our God is greater than the sin of man—that our God is in control of the sin of man—and that just when Satan thinks he has the upper hand, to the Lord belongs the victory. Take heart, dear Christian! Though this world is with devils filled, one little world shall fell him! Though we battle against powers and principalities, His Kingdom shall not fail—for our King is Immanuel, God with us.

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

No one can stop this King! Oh to be on the right side of Jesus Christ—to be built upon this chief Cornerstone—lest He become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to those who stay in their sin.

(2) The Tyrannical King Raged and Plotted in Vain - v. 7-8

And so we see the coming demise of King Herod—but Matthew finishes this passage with the spiritual joy of the Wise Men:

(3) The Humble Magi Worshipped and Served in Joy - v. 9-12

Matthew 2:9–12 ESV

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.

(3) The Humble Magi Worshipped and Served in Joy - v. 9-12

What an absolute contrast between the foolish king of the Jews, and the wise men who sought the true King of the Jews! Oh let us follow the path of these Gentiles, who had a share in the Kingdom of Messiah through faith in their King. Matthew says:

9 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.

The same star that had led them to Jerusalem—then rose agains to rest over Bethlehem. Notice that God leads his people with true perfection. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and righteousness (Ps. 25). God’s guiding hand never left nor forsook these children of God as they continued their journey to see the King in all his beauty (Isa. 25). The journey was long, and I’m sure they were exhausted, but their God lead them, and will lead us all the way to the presence of Christ our King when we shall see him face to face!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5). Let us follow the well-trodden paths of these wise men, as they trusted the prophetic Word of Scripture, as they responded in the obedience of faith, and as they longed to worship their Messiah. God is faithful—take heart dear saints!

But the wise men aren’t only led by God, but are also given the joy of God:

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

God might lead you through a long journey in life—through many hills and valleys—highs and lows—but we must never forget that joy comes in the morning! (Ps. 30). Through health challenges, to relational divides, to family divisions, to battles with sin, to civil unrest, to emotional pain, to the waiting game—as we keep our eyes on the Word of God, the Lord will fill us with the Joy of God! Joy unspeakable and full of glory! As we taste and see that God is good in Jesus Christ our Lord—as he leads us trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey! And so, entering the household of the living God, ascending into the hill of the Lord, entering the holy of holies, Matthew says:

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

Isaiah 6:3–5 ESV

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Into the house they go, and they prostrate themselves, they fall to the ground, they lay themselves bare, they bow the knee to the King, they Kiss the Son, the confess their sins, they profess their faith, for their eyes have seen the KING, the LORD OF HOSTS—IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US! They have seen the LIVING GOD with their bare eyes! What Moses could only see from behind the cleft of the Rock—these Gentile Magi, and Wise Men behold face to face! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY—is the LORD OF HOSTS! Truly they had seen his glory, glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth! Truly with their own eyes they had seen the MESSIAH, and could depart in peace! Truly they had beheld the KING in all his BEAUTY! He who is ALTOGETHER LOVELY—whose glory fills the entire cosmos! Oh what an experience these wise men had—to dwell in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.

Poole: such a King as indeed he was, the eternal Son of God clothed with human flesh; and that their falling down and worshipping him is to be understood of a Divine worship they paid to him, as the Saviour of the world: and so they were the first-fruits of the Gentiles, owning and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

True faith in the King leads to true worship in his Presence, filled with true joy and godly fear—which leads to true service, offering, and giving:

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

What treasure could they give this King? The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof? This King had filled the earth with his glory. This King had laced the earth below with gold. This King had created frankincense and myrrh—and yet, this King received these gifts, because they came in faith and love from his very own children.

We often think of this story being about the wise men standing before this child—but the reality is that they were the children standing before the Wise God.

And so they poured forth their chiefest gifts, their dearest treasures, their most precious jewels—and they gave him gold, signifying his royal kingship—they gave him frankincense, signifying his coming death—and they gave him myrrh, signifying the incense of sacrifice that would please his God and Father. This is the Christ—our Prophet, Priest, and King.

They gave him the treasures of earth—who was the King of Heaven—and He received them because they came in true faith and love—he received their worship as the little babe—because they came in godly fear and holy joy—he received these gifts because they came with pure and sincere hearts. Oh Calvary let us follow the lead of these wise men!

Malachi 3:10 ESV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

What are we bringing into the storehouse of the church? What are we bringing into the house of the living God? What are we giving unto the Lord of hosts? What are we offering to this King of kings? What are we sacrificing for His Kingdom? How are we responding to this King of glory?

Are we giving him our scraps? Are we giving him our minimum? Are we giving him our most common possessions? Or are we giving him our firstfruits? Are we giving him our maximum? Are we giving him our most precious possessions? What are we offering to this Lord of lords? How are we stewarding our time, our talents, our money, our gifts, our graces, our persons, our opportunities?

Surely he is worth it, amen?! Surely he is worth the painstaking journey—surely he is worth the long hours—surely he is worth the sacrifice!

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose! He is no fool who invests in eternity! Who stores up treasures in heaven! He is no fool who gives his best gifts in service to the Royal King. What’s holding you back?

For to such a one who is wise in Jesus—who is trusting and obeying—he will be happy, holy, fruitful, and faithful—and he shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever and ever—his work shall not be in vain; his offerings shall not go to waste—and he shall behold the beauty of the Lord in his temple, for all of his days.

Psalm 2:11 ESV

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Are you wise like the wise men today, by seeking the Christ? Are you blessed by taking refuge in King Jesus today? Are you worshipping him in humble adoration? Are you rejoicing and trembling in his presence? Are you serving Him with fear? Are you offering him your heart of hearts, to serve this King of kings?

Then take heart, beloved—for like the wise men, Christ is your Lord and Saviour—in him you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, the hope of glory, and the privilege to be used by Him to see His Kingdom come, and his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

As Christ rules from sea to sea, as his kingdom grows from the River to the Ends of the Church—let us be like the wise men who live by the Word of God, trusting the Promises of God, obeying the Commands of God, worshipping the Son of God, and serving the King, for this is true wisdom indeed.

And so Matthew finishes this passage with a verse that sets us up for next weeks sermon:

12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

This wicked scheme shall not be concealed for much longer. This evil King will show his true colours. And God, who protects his servants, warned these wise men to go home and to escape the clutch of this tyrant. God leads us, guides us, protects us, and provides for us. Blessed be his holy name.

(3) The Humble Magi Worshipped and Served in Joy - v. 9-12

Hear now our conclusion and big idea from this passage, this morning:

(C) Wise Men Worship Christ the Lord—but Foolish Men Refuse to Bow and Adore.

Come to this King—Come to this Jesus—He will Rule you in love, and Shepherd you in grace—He will Redeem you in mercy, and Reign over you with meekness.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Joshua 24:14–15 ESV

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Who will you serve? Who will you worship? Who will you adore? Who will you bow before? Let it be Christ, and Christ alone.

(C) Wise Men Worship Christ the Lord—but Foolish Men Refuse to Bow and Adore.

Amen? Let’s pray.

Discussion Questions:

(1) What difference is there between the response of the Wise Men and King Herod to the birth of Christ the Lord?

(2) Why did tyrannical King Herod go out of his way to try and find the location of this newborn King? What was his raging plot and scheme?

(3) How did the Wise Men know where King Jesus was born? And why did they rejoice exceedingly with great joy when they found him?

(4) Why did this child receive divine-worship, along with the treasure and offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh? What does this reveal about baby Jesus?

(5) What does this passage teach us about the proper response to the Gospel of the Kingdom in the birth of Christ the King?