The Magi

The Magi,

Matthew 2:1-2   

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."

Who are these wise men?  From the East (probably Persia) this would help to explain why they were interested in a Jewish Messiah. These men probably learned about the Jewish Scriptures from Israelites who had been deported to Babylon and Medo-Persia. In particular, it is feasible that the writings of Daniel, a wise man in the Babylonian kingdom, would have been of special interest to these magi. Daniel has much to say about the coming of Israel’s king, especially the time of his arrival

 The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as Israel's Messiah. But It is interesting to note that Matthew uses dignitaries from Persia to illustrate the since of expectation the world had at that time that not only was something great expected to happen, a King was expected.

Daniel 9:24-26  "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.  Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.  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.

  These wise men had read Daniel and all the other biblical writers. The entire Hebrew Bible was reproduced during the Babylonian Captivity, Much of the ancient Hebrew scholarship and commentary on the Bible was written at this time. All of the scripture foreseeing the birth of Jesus would have been read in Persia by their leading scholars. These men did not wake up one night and see a star and follow it. They knew the words of the ancient prophets and had come to see their King.

 Matthew 2:4-5 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 prophets:

  The Jewish council—all the chief priests and scribes of the people—this reveals that the Jewish leaders were alerted early to the coming of the Messiah.

   So these men, foreign dignitaries were not in Judea by chance. The were responding to the prophecy from ancient times of a coming Messiah.

   Now what was there purpose?

   To give use a beautiful image for our manger scenes. Or were they sent to give the little drummer boy a ride to Bethlehem? Did they serve the purpose to remind us that Christmas is about Gift giving? Were they the first fine jelery and perfume peddlers?

   No they werent. They were sent to serve Gods purpose. They and their gifts had a place in Gods perfect eternal plan.

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)  

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. 

  Some would have us believe that these gift were simply symbolic, Gold symbolized royalty; frankincense was a fragrance; myrrh was the ointment of death, could be, but what is for certain, Joseph was told by and Angel upon their departure, Matthew 2:13-15 said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

    What exactly happened to the gifts presented to Jesus by the wise men? Scripture doesn’t say. Clearly they reflected the magi’s worship of Christ at His birth. Yet we can speculate that they may have provided the means for His family’s flight to Egypt. Mary and Joseph were poor peasants. They had chosen the most inexpensive Item to sacrifice for ceremonial cleansing after Jesus’ birth, the two doves. God used these foreigners to illustrate how Jesus would be worshiped by all in this world and they provide the needed funds for the family to escape.

 Now my message is two fold tonight. I wanted to share with you the Magi story and illustrate Gods sovergny and how His unique plan has unfolded and continues to today.

  I also want to illustrate how our gifts, though we may have no Idea how, often save the lives of others. At Christmas time for whatever reason there are a lot of hurting people. People who have no family or have lost family or want nothing to do with family.

  People running from addictions, people running to addictions. People running from God, people just running from and for their lives and Christmas seems to make it all so real. And maybe it should. Because its at Christmas time that we find ourselves a little more giving, a little more caring, a little more appreciative of our fellow man.

   It’s a common conclusion by many at the Holiday period to decide to slow down that they do need friends that they do need family, but what can really change their lives is if they figure out that they really do need God.

   So, here is where we as Christian come in. What do we give to those who need us, who like Jesus might be running for their lives. Most of us have little Gold, and people have little need for frankincense, and myrrh. So what do we give, I suggest we do just what Jesus did, whatever the amount of Gold he was given He more than paid it back by giving His life for all who come to Him as those Magi and bow before Him and proclaim Him King in their lives. Share with others what Jesus gave, His life, because unlike so many claims of earthly treasures and goodies, Jesus is truly the Gift that keeps on Giving.