Matthew 2 Magi Significance

I)       Matthew 1:18-25 The Magi and Me.

A)    File:  matthew 2 magi significance.doc

B)    Audio: 

C)    Series:  Matthew

D)    Preached:  September 30, 2007

II)    Introduction:  Matthew:  (Levi) Matthew 9:9

A)    Jesus (Joshua) – Yahweh is Salvation

B)    Christ – Anointed One

C)    Son of David

D)    Son of Abraham

E)     Problem, parallels, presentation, prophecies, purpose of the virgin birth.

III) READ 2:1-12

IV) What History says about the Magi

A)    Magi: (TBD)Media or Persia – Zoroastrianism

B)    Responsible for ritual and cultic life.

C)    Belief that major historic events were displayed in the stars and the other phenomena.  Astrologers.

D)    Today, maybe called scientists.  Devoted much time and energy to study of what we now call science – the reason for their mysteriousness – their ‘magic.’

1)      Babylonian batteries and air conditioning.

E)     They indeed had much understanding, recognized by kings:  Rulers used their input to make decisions of state. Royal Advisors.

F)     All this could indicate their interest.

G)    Summary:  Important Royal advisors who explored astrology, science, and religions centered East of Israel in Babylon/Persia.

V)    What the Old Testament says about the Magi.

A)    New Testament(Greek) – Old Testament (Hebrew) – LXX (links Hebrew to Greek).

B)    Old Testament (LXX) – 10 times all in Daniel.

1)      Daniel:  1:20; 2:2 (2); 2:10 (2); 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15;

2)      Daniel the head of:  2:48, 4:9, 5:11.

(a)    His importance spanned empires

(b)   His vision of the 70 weeks told him when to expect “Messiah”

C)    What was Daniel, an Israelite, doing there?

1)      Dan. 1:3-4:  “3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.”

2)      Common practice for Nebuchadnezzar – take the best and brightest – strengthen Babylon, weaken opponents.

(a)    Collecting culture:  Would have collected and brought with them any important writings – including Old Testament writings.

(b)   Daniel has them – Dan. 9 reflecting on Jeremiah’s ’70 years’

D)    Summary:  Babylon collected the best from all nations, put them together, appointed Daniel, an Israelite, who was given special prophecies of God, as their head.

VI) What Matthew says about the Magi

A)    (1) Came from the East – fits our theory.

B)     (7) Summoned by the king – must have been important.

1)      Not three random fellows on camels.

2)      Foreign dignitaries.

C)    (3) Troubled the King. (And all Jerusalem.)

1)      Neighboring Parthian empire – from East.

2)      Diplomatic Rumors.  A serious charge.

3)      Obviously not three eccentric fellows on camels.

D)    (4) Endorsed by the priests and scribes.

1)      Saw their request as consistent with scripture. (Micah 5:2)

E)     (11) The gifts:

1)      Gold:  A gift fit for a king – the traditional homage paid.  Look how God financed the trip to Egypt!

2)      Frankincense:  Used by priests – they knew He would be our great High Priest.

3)      Myrrh:  Burial Spice.

(a)    These are further proof that these men understood who they were worshiping.

(b)   Appropriate gifts for a king, priest, and sacrifice.

F)     (12) Warned in a dream – usually only done by God to those who serve Him.  Nebuchadnezzar.

G)    Summary:  Matthew gives every indication that these fellows knew whom they were seeking and saw it important enough to travel into a neighboring empire

H)    But that’s not all Matthew says:  Matthew is presenting Jesus in several ways:

1)      Messiah – son of David.

2)      fulfillment of prophecy – son of Abraham

3)      Savior of the world – Jesus.

(a)    Emmanuel – God with us.

4)      Most important emphasis in Matthew:  King!

I)       Jesus as the coming king of Israel – and of the world.

1)      Story of Magi shows that Jesus was not just Israel’s promised king – but was sent by God to the world.

2)      Matthew presents him as such:

(a)    Honored here as king.

(b)   Kingly endorsements

(i)     John the Baptist

(ii)   A voice from heaven

(c)    Kingly power

(i)     Withstanding temptation

(ii)   Enlisting disciples

(iii) performing miracles

(d)   Kingdom teaching

(i)     Sermon on the mount – what subject of the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ are like.

(ii)   Kingdom parables – how he will reign over this coming period on the earth and how He will judge who is loyal and who is not.

(iii) End times:  How the king will return

(e)    Eternal kingship – resurrection from the dead

(i)     Appoints followers to go into the world and carry news of His Kingdom!

(ii)   And that news has come to you:

VII)          What I say about the Magi.

A)    This story presents Him as worthy of worship by all people.

B)    What say you then?  Will you worship?

VIII)       Magi in the Bible:

A)    New Testament – 6 Times

1)      Matthew 2 – 4 times

2)      Acts 13 – 2 times re: Elymas/Bar-Jesus

(a)     

IX) Reveals the true identity of Jesus as the expected Messiah. (TBD)

A)    Of general royal significance

1)      star – Num. 24:17, Is. 60:3.  Stars of significance to Magi.

B)    Of specific interest

1)      Jesus is the fulfillment of Micah 5:2

2)      Offering of gifts shows possible fulfillment of Ps 68:29 and 72:10.

II)    This incident introduces key themes in the book of Matthew. (TBD)

A)    Messiah important not only to Jews but to Gentiles.

B)    Surprising Gentile faith

1)      A contrast to Jews’ plot 2:2-3, 16.

2)      Faith of the Centurion (8:5-13)

3)      A Canaanite woman with demon-possessed child (15:21-28)

4)      Pilate’s wife (27:19)

5)      Centurion at the cross (27:54)

6)       

III)  

September 23, 2007,

“The Magi and Me”

Matthew 2:1-12:

1)      What _____________________ says about the Magi. (Astrologers, Scientists, Royal Advisors;)

2)      What _____________________ says about the Magi. | The Greek Septuagint links the New Testament to the Old Testament!  The original Old Testament was in Hebrew.  This was translated into Greek in the Septuagint (LXX) about 250 years before Christ.  After Christ, the New Testament was written in Greek. |

a)      Daniel:  1:20; 2:2 (2); 2:10 (2); 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15; Daniel was appointed head of Babylon’s Magi. (2:48, 4:9, 5:11.)

b)      Daniel was given the prophecy of 70 weeks (9:24-27) so he would know when to expect Messiah!

3)      What _____________________ says about the Magi. (Jesus was not just a king for Israel!)

4)      What _____________________ say about the Magi.[1]

September 23, 2007,

Matthew 2:1-12 Word Find

Notes:  __________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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[1] 1) History; 2) the Old Testament; 3) Matthew; 4) I;