Advenire - Magi

Where is Bethlehem? and relative to Jerusalem?

Where was “the east”?

Why would these men care about a baby Jewish “king” anyway?

Why did they interpret a star this way?

Why was Herod afraid?

Why was the city afraid too?

The Scribes know exactly where J. would be born.

Why Magi so excited?

What did the gifts mean?

What would have been the legacy on their lives. Why did they return to their own country. Did they “get something” out of it?

Why does Matt. include this?

What would Jewish audience have thought?

What are the implications of God working his plans through pagans and stars?

Thoughts:

Interesting that Herod hears the Micah passage and isn’t comforted or encouraged, but worried.

Where would you start a campaign to change the world? WHere would the leader come from/be introduced?

Worldly wisdom brings them to seek - but actually finding Jesus comes through the word of God - “bethlehem”

Why did they go so far knowing so little - what if they were wrong. no that was just a normal star - well lets go home! :)

Analogy to Career - Threat of Change is a threat! “I heard there is gonna be a new CEO…ok well I didn’t hear that!

v. 8 - Herod is one who gives Magi the right info! God guides through an evil man

No Distance can separate from Jesus

Nothing can thwart the Purposes of Jesus

Jesus deserves all Honor

Three responses 1) Hatred and Hostility 2) Complete Indifference 3) Adoring Worship

Active Resistance - Passive Resistance

Look at “Preaching the Word” Commentary on Scribd

Summary:

Jesus is now born, and some wise men come looking for Jesus through a star. Herod gets word of this, and is disturbed and suspicious. He asks his religious experts to see if it’s real, and then asks the Magi to give him word once they find him. The magi find Jesus thanks to the star, and are very excited. They worship Jesus and give him treasures. They go home a different way so as to not lead Herod to the baby.

Point:

Unlikely people were eager to find and worship Jesus. Others were in great opposition to this goal. God accomplished his plans through the ‘outsider”.

Jesus brings responses - we can Welcome or Resist (active or passive)

Sermon approaches: Three responses, focus on Welcome/resist and ask what does it look like to pursue and welcome J. in 2018?

King vs. “King”

King vs. “King

Worship vs. “Worship”

The Magi’s arrival and questions (2:1-2)

Herod’s Response (2:3-4)

The biblical prediction (2:5-6)

Herod’s deceptive plot (2:7-8)

The magi in Bethehem (2:9-11)

Departure of the magi (2:12)