Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION:

Did somebody say that Christianity was just for the ignorant circle of people?

Both church and secular history testify that men of great learning in every age of the world have been devotees of God.

Men who are distinguished for their scientific knowledge are believers in God.

And perhaps, today, there are more so than at any other time.

If the Bible had not said so, we would still have recognised that these great men of learning from the East were wise, because they came seeking Christ!

I mentioned this, of sorts, in the Wednesday meeting for our Nativity’s, carols and Christmas Cards are not always Scriptural!

They often show three kings; the Bible tells us they were Wise Men.

They depict three kings; but we are only told they presented three kinds of gifts.

How many were there?

We simply are not told but the entourage was huge and made Jerusalem very nervous - there could have been 300 wise men; then that surely would cause Herod to be concerned.

Usually the setting for their visitation is the manger, whereas Scripture tells us that the end of their search was the “house” where “the young child was.”

Their guiding sign is usually truthfully portrayed: they followed a star.

In those days men had no compasses or radar.

They did not follow the Pole Star or Southern Cross like sailors; they had God’s special star to guide them, a new star that heralded the birth of an important person.

Twentieth-century scientists now believe that such a star appeared in the heavens at the very time indicated by Scripture but even if they couldn’t find the star, one appeared.

The goal of their search is also indicated on our cards and other Christmas decorations—the Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.

They did not come to worship Mary.

But the One who had been born by virgin birth.

Their real goal was Jesus Himself.

Caesar “came, saw and conquered.”

These wise men came, saw, and worshipped.

They gave their gifts and then returned to their homeland with the good news.

There are two important sets of questions to ask ourselves regarding the story of the Wise Men.

One set has to do with the Wise Men themselves; the other is concerned with the Saviour whom they sought.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WISE MEN

Who Were They?

They are called in Greek “Magoi.”

The term Magi is misleading in that it makes us think of magicians!

However, we know now that

they were members of the Persian priestly caste; they had to be present to speak the sacred words at sacrifices; they were the interpreters of special signs.

Heraclitus says that they were the rulers of a distinctive religion.

Their religious ideas are thought to be strongly influenced by philosophy; There was a close, ...connection between philosophy and religion.

(TDNT)

They were astrologers.

In the modern sense they were astronomers—students of the heavenly bodies, rather than sooth-sayers, fortune-tellers, and writers of horoscopes.

Where Did They Come From?

The Bible tells us that they came from the “East.”

And this, as I have just mentioned means they were from Persia which is present-day Iran.

The Book of Daniel speaks of “wise men of Babylon” so may be they were from there as the Persian Empire stretched West at the time.

When Did They Come?

They arrived when Jesus was in a “house” and up to two years old (the age at which Herod decreed infant males should be slaughtered).

That is why the Wise Men asked, “Where is he that was born” …, that is, “has been born some time ago,” not “born this very day,” as the shepherds acknowledged.

It could have been as soon as six weeks after, though highly unlikely seeing what Herod did, all the way up to 2 years.

Mary and Joseph plainly stayed in Bethlehem after His birth for a journey with such a young child after His birth would have been dangerous and then settled there with Joseph using his skills as a carpenter.

And then the star reappeared to help the Wise Men find the house they were in.

What Presents Did They Bring?

They brought:

gold to acknowledge that He was king;

frankincense to acknowledge His priesthood (used in the tabernacle and temple as incense); it is the fragrance of His life; and

myrrh, which was used in embalming bodies, to acknowledge His humanity—a prophet, a preacher and teacher; it is the fragrance of His death.

They brought three gifts to emphasise that he had a three-fold office: prophet, priest and king.

Why did they come?

This, perhaps is the most important question of all concerning the wise men.

The star indicated to them that a King had been born.

How could they have known?

Maybe God directly revealed it to them or maybe they got an understanding from Scripture where it says:

Of course, when they arrived in Jerusalem to talk of a King that had been born this was another reason for Herod to be agitated and jealous.

Herod was only considering his own position rather than being wise like these men from the East.

Even after being told of the prophecy that came from God that the King would be born in Bethlehem how did he think he could go up against God?

This was true throughout the life of Jesus - as a child he was sought out to be killed and then, as an adult.

They were successful, in God’s time, to kill Him but let me let you in on a secret: God always wins! Jesus escaped to Egypt as a child and then escaped death by rising from the dead.

Herod was deceitful rather than delight-full.

His heart should have turned to worship.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAVIOR

Where Can We Find Him Today?

We have no star in the heavens though Heaven declares Him, we have nothing within us other than our conscience to tell us we will be judged, we have no experience to guide us though history shows a guiding hand but what we do have are the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit who cannot but speak and glorify Jesus, and we have the preached message of salvation calling for Him to be worshipped.

How Can We Find Him Today?

We can find Him that when looking within at our own sinful hearts, realising our dire need of Him.

The Wise Men admitted their ignorance by asking along the route.

We must have the same desire as Job: “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!”

No longer do we go to a crib but to a cross.

The baby of Bethlehem grew to be the man of Calvary.

It was for this reason He was born.

When Can We Find Him Today?

The Wise Men found Him as soon as they could!

They did not linger on the way.

They did not wait until He had grown up and become a man.

The sooner the better is the correct time, for to delay may be too late.

Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.

The Holy Spirit “will not always strive with man.”

So find Him while you feel the influence of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.

One day He who came to earth the first time at Christmas is to come a second time, and then it will be too late to find Him as Saviour, for He will come as Judge.

He shall reign as King of kings.

What Do We Do When We Find Him Today?

The Wise Men fell down at the sight of Jesus and despite their own greatness they bowed down in a real sense of humility in worship.

So he also deserves our worship, having died to save us.

Friends, whilst most of us know that this is why He came sometimes the shine has gone off our faith and we are all too familiar with the story.

We mosey along comfortable with how things are.

Yet, Jesus is the King.

Yet, He humiliated Himself to a death of the most cruel nature suffering insane torture of His body and of His soul.

The question I asked: “What do we do when we find Him today?” is not quite right.

He sought and found us.

He allowed Himself to be found.

Just like the wise men were shown the way by a star, the pathway to him is clearly lit.

We are to repent, to change, to turn around to Him; what Jesus did by coming at Christmas, by living His life, by dying on the cross, and by rising again and by ascending back to His Father, we are to believe that He came for us, for you and I individually; and we are to accept Him into our lives so that He truly becomes our King.

Then we present our lives to Him.

He has given us the gift of Himself.

Our response should be like the Wise Men who presented their gifts.

We, too, must give Him a gift: ourselves; all that we are and have.