Don’t Give Up on Worship
Christmas Series 2025 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Introduction
Introduction
In our passage this morning, we see the Birth of Jesus from the perspective of those who are coming specifically to worship Him. The word “worship” means different things to different people but we see this morning that it required great effort for these men. We want to be sure that we have this desire to worship this Christmas.
There are some reoccurring tasks that require great attention in our lives:
Each year we spend time preparing our taxes. Hopefully, we get this task accomplished before mid-April.
Each year we spend time cutting our lawns and working in our yards. One week without effort is quickly apparent to the entire neighborhood.
Each year we spend time getting oil changes and tire replacements on our vehicles. The only way that we can continue get to work is by constant maintenance of the our cars.
Worship is another of these that we need to give great attention to.
The Magi were observant people. They saw a sign that the Saviour of the world was soon to come. Whatever it took, they were going to get to Him and bring Him worship.
What is worship? The Greek word in this passage is referring to the act of bowing before someone to show them the honour that they deserve. Those who worship are characterized by humbleness, love, and knowledge of the one that they worship. What is worship? Worship is our conscious, habitual choice to bring God our humble honour and praise that He deserves. The world have a call to worship God which these Magi answered in our passage.
All the earth shall worship thee, And shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
Declaration
Declaration
The Magi traveled far to worship God because of His sign in the heavens. They are looking for something that is true and brings joy. Today, we must also stay faithful to follow the sign to the One we should worship.
1. Worship Involves Effort
1. Worship Involves Effort
Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of Augustus Caesar as emperor. The book of Luke gives us the specifics of that story as we will see next week. However, in chapter 2 of Matthew we find the story of those who have traveled far to worship Jesus who has been born.
Worship involves effort. Wise men traveled from somewhere to the east of Palestine to the city of Jerusalem to worship the king. This journey would have taken several weeks at least. Some commentators indicate that there must have been other servants and retainers with these men as there was a great stir in the city of Jerusalem. All of this was to worship the King of the Jews.
Verse 1 tells us that these men were “wise men”. The word translated “wise men” gives us a class of men in the East known as the Magi. They were those who knew the stars and would be able to follow the paths of the constellations throughout the year. These men were likely advisers to the rulers in Mesopotamia. This is the same role that Daniel played several centuries before. They would have likely used astrology and magic in some cases to give better advice. Much speculation surrounds these men and their number and identity. It is a common belief of the Eastern churches that there may have been 12 Magi that came. In the Western churches, there is a tradition based on the listed gifts that there were only 3. What is not in dispute is their purpose to seek a King to worship Him.
During their studies of the skies, they saw this strange star. This word for “star” could also be a constellation. However, we do not know exactly what this light was. These men who saw it connected it with a commonly interpreted Messianic prophecy of the time. Balaam, who had been hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel, instead blessed them three times. During one of these blessings, Balaam foretold,
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.
We see in verse 2 that these Magi have arrived in the city of Jerusalem where the king would be expected to be. The Magi have but one question when they arrive in the Royal City, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”. They have made the effort to worship the King and now they are searching diligently for Him.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, And kings to the brightness of thy rising.
There are three times in this passage that the word “worship” is found. We see the first of these in verse 2. The Magi came for the single reason of giving praise and honor to the Coming King. They desired to bow and pay their respects to the prophesied Messiah.
Worship involves effort. We too must make a daily and weekly effort to worship God. This is one of the functions of the services of our church. We are seeking to Love God. Part of loving God is spending time in bringing Him the sacrifices of praise, possessions, and personal obedience that we do each week. Each day we need to take time to be in His presence and thank Him for all that He has done. Habits require effort. Worship is a habit that each believer must develop in obedience to Scripture.
Worship involves effort. How is your effort today? Where can you improve?
2. Worship Requires Knowledge
2. Worship Requires Knowledge
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
After the men arrive in Jerusalem, they make their way to the palace. Herod is the current ruler of the land of Palestine. He is known throughout the ancient world as a ingenious soldier, proficient builder and ruthless tyrant. Many of the people in the inner circle of Herod would die at his hand because they were perceived as threats to his power.
Instead of the “King of the Jews” that they expect, they encounter Herod, a tyrant. Herod has no knowledge of this rumour or this star. Herod is “troubled” by this news. Herod felt that there was some plot afoot to overthrow him. He saw this arrival and rumour as another opportunity to remove him and replace him on his throne. This is the situation that the wise men arrive in at the palace.
Worship requires knowledge. Because he does not know the truth of the prophecies, Herod had to call the religious people for information. In a clever way, Herod chose to ask two competing groups to see if there was any agreement on this question. Throughout the coming chapters of the book of Matthew, these two groups will be more clearly seen and contrasted.
The priests were, at this point in the Second Temple period, predominantly Sadduccies. They did not believe in the resurrection or any afterlife. They were rich and secular in most of their actions. There was a clear connection between their authority and that of Herod and the Romans.
The scribes were made up, in many cases, of Pharisees. These were the strict adherents of the law and traditions added to ensure legality. They did believe in the coming resurrection. Very few questions put to these groups would have the same answer, except for the coming Messiah.
Herod asks these two groups where this King was to be born. They answer in unison that he would be born just outside the city in the small town of Bethlehem. These men connected the "King of the Jews" with coming Messiah or Christ in verse 4.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
You cannot worship God in a vacuum. You cannot worship God apart from his revelation.
John F. MacArthur
Worship requires knowledge. These wise men are now able to go to where the King of the Jews might be. This title for Jesus is not going to be used again until on a hill outside of this city, it will be placed as the accusation of the crucifixion of the Son of God.
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Why would they crucify the King of the Jews? What had he done to warrant this punishment? We see throughout the life of Jesus that it was not anything that Jesus had done to warrant this. Instead, the King of the Jews died for the sins of the world. Micah 5:2 tells us that one would come that would be a “ruler in Israel”. He would be a shepherd for those who are lost on the mountains of sin without a Saviour.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jesus died because of the sins of all the world. This is the prophecy that Jesus would fulfill as the King of the Jews. He gave His life for you and for me for our sin to be taken away.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Worship requires knowledge. The Magi now are instructed by Herod to go find the child and report back to him. The second time that this word “worship” is foun in this passage is in verse 8. Herod plans the death of Jesus based on the expected intelligence of the Magi. The religious leaders are indifferent to the prophecy.
How sad that these travelers from a far country are more interested in worshipping the coming King than those for whom the prophecy was given. How much do you know about this King? Have you personally met Him and asked Him to take away your sin? Worship requires knowledge. You have that knowledge today, what will you do with it? As one writer points out,
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Matthew 2:1–12
In the OT, faithful Israelites prove superior to foreign magicians (
3. Worship Takes Priority
3. Worship Takes Priority
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
In verse 9, the Magi travel out of the city and again see the star that they had been traveling. For some reason, they could not see the star in the city of Jerusalem it seems. The star continued to move even then until it reached its final destination. This was the house where Jesus was living with Mary and Joseph.
Worship takes priority. The men did not give up when they were unable to see the path ahead. They did not fear the unknown or the anger of the current ruler. There was a desire to do what was most important, worship the king. We need to make giving God the glory and honour due His name the priority in our lives. John is clear about the coming worship that every person will give to God.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Worship takes priority. Today many would say that coming to church or spending time with God each day is boring. They have better things to do than waste time on that. Whether shopping or watching football, their Sundays are too busy to spend time worshipping God. They might have been faithful at some point but now the alarm is set for later in the day because sleep has the priority. That is not descriptive of the Magi. In verse 10, the star caused joy because they were going to worship the One who alone deserves our worship.
True worship seeks union with its beloved, and an active effort to close the gap between the heart and the God it adores is worship at its best!
A. W. Tozer; Gerald B. Smith
The Magi continue on till they find the child. They have brought gifts according to the prophecy of Isaiah. There was a desire to exchange what they had for something that the King of the Jews could bestow. Though they might not have brought something back with them from the house of Mary and Joseph, the salvation that Jesus would give to the world would be the greatest Christmas gift of all time.
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All they from Sheba shall come: They shall bring gold and incense; And they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
The men bring gold. This was the rarest metal at the time. Its value held it up as the most important form of wealth for someone.
The men bring myrrh. This was a product of crushing and preparing a fluid that would give a good smell. Myrrh was used again in Jesus’ burial.
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
The men bring frankincense. This was also used to cure diseases and for a sweet smell in temples. There is a correlation to the worship that they were giving to the King of the Jews.
The Magi brought and gave what they had to the King. We can only give what we have. But the truth is that even all that we have is from Him.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
The Magi travel back to their own land in obedience to the vision of God. They carry with them the knowledge that the Saviour has now come into the world. Jesus has been born.
Worship takes priority. Will we heed their example? We look to God with all that we have this Christmas season to worship Him? As we near the end of the year, perhaps we need to list the things, not that we have accomplished, but what God has. Worship should take priority in our lives as it did for the Magi. They gave what they had to the King!
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Magi traveled far to worship God because of His sign in the heavens. They are looking for something that is true and brings joy. Today, we must also stay faithful to follow the sign to the One we should worship.
The Bible points us to how God has dealt with our sin. He could have left us in our sin but He chose to send His Son to die for us. The Arrival of Jesus is the reason that we celebrate Christmas. The Magi are a part of that story as they traveled so many miles to come to worship the King who was born. The Psalmist tells us,
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: All nations shall serve him.
What an example we have to follow. Will we take time to worship God today? Are we faithful to be in our place in church on Sunday and Wednesday? What is our prayer life like? What do we do when we face trials in our life? Do we praise God even when there is no path forward?
The Magi had their priorities correct as they sought to worship God. May we do the same today. Worship takes effort, requires knowledge, and must take priority. Let’s follow the Magi and worship the King this December. Wiersbe reminds us,
The Bible Exposition Commentary Matthew 2:1–12
The magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King; and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King.
