Walk Towards the Light

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Introduction: Quote from Friend. A lot of people are telling me different paths to God, how do I know that Jesus is the true path to God. You are just one among many people telling me different ways.

My question is have you done a search?

Seeking the True King

Seeking the True King

Matthew is establishing that Jesus is fulfilling the O.T. prophecy of the Messiah.

- Matthew Sees these Magi as fulfilling a foretaste of this longing.

It is reminiscent of the queen of sheba visiting Solomon. - One greater than Solomon has arrived - Matt. 12:42

- Born in Bethlehem

For some today seeking Jesus - there are some problems.

No outside sources for this event.

No certain scientific evidence for the star and its miraculous directing.

Two Characters seeking Jesus.

Herod - The king who received the kingdom through political power, but not the rightful King - Herod wants to suppress the truth

Julius Africanus reported that Herod had destroyed Jewish family archives (including those of the [Davidic] family of Ruth) to prevent challenges to his own mixed pedigree (Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 1.7.13).

France, R. T.. The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 39). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.

France, R. T.. The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 39). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.

The Magi - Seeking the King of the Jews.

From Babylon - Jewish Community There

Strange “Magicians” - not accepted in Jewish or Christian circles.

Lends itself to the truthfulness of the story.

Well known in Ancient World -

A parallel is sometimes found in the famous visit by eastern magi to Rome to pay homage to Nero in A.D. 66,21

France, R. T.. The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 64). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.

France, R. T.. The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 64). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.

God uses their false religion of magic to draw them to the True King. Because they were willing to seek the True King.

What is the difference between the Magi and Herod?

If You Seek to Honor Him, You Will Find Him.

Magi were truly seeking the truth and to honor the truth wherever it led them, Herod wanted to suppress the truth for His own glory.

For the Magi, they clearly were looking for a King - Went to Herod because he was the King, but he had no child successor being born at the time. This peaked Herod’s

Hugh Ross’ Story

Josh McDowell’s & His Son’s Story

All I want you to do is follow the truth wherever it may lead you.

Lee Strobel

Well that is great if you have time to search...

Where are You on Your Search?

There are many stars in the sky. How did the Magi recognize that one star and it was for the true King?

Read and watch -

Do not believe everything you read - take stalk in the sources. Fake News.

Ask God to show himself - Even if you do not believe, Ask the Lord if he exists to show himself.

Listen to God and to Others - Journey with others - Multiple Magi.

We learn, and we sharpen each other - Also be discerning.

Let doubt not stop you, but spur you to further searching.

Conclusion: This week, I am going to ask you to do at least one thing to search for the True King. Read a book that examines the evidence for Jesus, Ask a friend what they believe about God, Ask someone you trust a difficult questions that you struggle with about faith. I believe if you do this honestly, and without trying to suppress the truth like Herod, God will honor your search, like he did for the Magi 2,000 years ago.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 15-18, 29-31, 34 Belgic Confession: Articles 19