Seeking the King

Matthew 2:1–12 NKJV

1 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, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Jesus is the Messiah!

The Point of the Passage is that Jesus is the messiah.

the Magi where people astrologers who through Old Testament prophecies noticed the star in the sky and fallowed it to worship Jesus. these men were likely part of some royal court.

in my study I did not find that the magi where the fulfillment of any prophecy. so, why is it in the Gospel of Matthew? it is here as conformation.

Harod was troubled… because he was worried about political power. Jesus did not come for mere earthly power. he came to save the world from their sin.

this gathering of the “scribes” and “Priest” is called the Sanhedrin. they wanted to Kill Jesus because they where afraid that he was going to upset the status quo.

He was going to set up the status quo, but not through man made power.

after the gathering of the sanhedrin they went out to Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 NKJV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

After Harod sends them the star picks them up and takes them to Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:9 NKJV

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

Having found the child they fell down and worshiped Him.

then they opened their treasures to Him.

then they obeyed the voice of the Lord sent to them in the dream.

The three qualities of the wise men.

1) They where Seeking God.

Matthew 2:1–2 NKJV

1 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, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

they where studying the sky and the scripture.

How often do read the bible?

Proverbs 8:17 NKJV

17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

2) When they found Him they worshiped.

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

3) they opened their treasures to Him.