Matthew 2:1-12 In Search of a King

Intro:

This last week I posted on social media the central coast ranked 9th on the list of post Christian areas in the country

Post Christian is where Christianity is no longer the dominant religion of society and has assumed the values and worldview that are non-Christian

The Central Coast is 54% post-Christian

That means more than half of the people we live around are unsaved

We were the only area in California to make the list and were right above Seattle

We live in an area that is becoming less Christian the fastest in the state

People are no longer seeking Jesus when they are in need

They were like much of Israel when Jesus was born

While it appeared religious, they were not seeking God

When some wise men showed up from out of town in search of the king it stirred up a scene

Read Matthew 2:1-5

Transition

Jesus was born in Bethlehem

Bethlehem was then a small town five or six miles south of Jerusalem, in the fertile hill country of Judea

It was at Bethlehem that Jacob buried Rachel (Gen. 35:19)

It was also here that Ruth met and married Boaz (Ruth 1:22; 2:4) and that their illustrious grandson, David, grew up and tended sheep (1 Sam. 17:12, 15).

By the time of Jesus’ birth, it had long been called “the city of David” (Luke 2:4, 11).

The prophet Micah specifically promised that the Messiah would come from this small village

I know Xmas cards show three wise men at the stable but that’s not the way it happened

Jesus is probably several months old at this point when the wise men show up

Searching Men Seek Him Vs. 1-2

While many are abandoning their faith, there are still people who seek Him

God uses Gentile astrologers to make his point

It doesn’t matter your background, when God moves on your heart you start searching

These men saw a sign

Vs. 1 Wise Men Came from the East

Few biblical stories are as well known, yet so clouded by myth and tradition, as that of the magi, or wise men, mentioned by Matthew

We are not told their number, their names, their means of transportation to Palestine, or the specific country or countries from which they came

They were involved in various occult practices, including sorcery, and were especially noted for their ability to interpret dreams.

It is from their name that our words magic and magician are derived.

We learn from the book of Daniel that the magi were among the highest-ranking officials in Babylon

There is speculation that these wise men were descendants from those of Daniel’s time and were aware of the prophecies about Jesus

When it says they are from the east, it means the Orient

They traveled a long way to get to Jerusalem

Well educated men with incredible wealth were seeking the king

The Children of God weren’t

There are people in our own backyard that are seeking the king and they are meeting a church that is indifferent and full of fear

Vs. 2a Search for the King

They went around the city asking everyone they met

They assumed everyone in Jerusalem would know of the special baby’s whereabouts

They must’ve been shocked when no one knew what they were talking about

During that time there was widespread expectation of the coming of a great king, a great deliverer

Roman historian Suetonius: “There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judea to rule the world.

Vs. 2b Saw the Star

The Wise men we astrologers

They watched the stars and saw what we know as the Star of Bethlehem

During this Christmas season, we will be able to enjoy an astronomical event that has not happened in 800 years: the alignment of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, better known as the Star of Bethlehem, which according to Christian tradition was followed to reach the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

This is a rare phenomenon, with a special meaning in this Christmas season, and that according to astronomical studies has not occurred since March 4, 1226, that is, since the Middle Ages.

The symbolic Christmas Star will be visible from December 16 to 21, and can be observed anywhere in the world

The phenomenon can be seen one hour after sunset.

Is this the true Star of Bethlehem?

We don’t know

We are not told how the God of revelation caused the magi to know that the King of the Jews had been born, only that He gave them the sign of His [the One called King] star in the east.

Since the Bible does not identify or explain the star, we cannot be dogmatic, but it may have been the glory of the Lord—the same glory that shone around the shepherds when Jesus’ birth was announced to them by the angel

These travelers from the east had come to Palestine with but one purpose: to find the One born King of the Jews and worship Him.

Are you seeking the king like these wise men did?

Are you willing to step outside of your comfort zone and go where you need to go to get close to him?

Foolish Men Fear Him Vs. 3-8

In searching for a king foolish men fear him

What’s interesting is that while they were looking for a king to deliver them they missed all of the signs

They were going about their daily lives

Two groups stick out: Herod and the Priests

In these we see fear and indifference

AS we saw by the statistics that just came out there is of fear and indifference in the church

Sadly, instead of seeking the King of Kings they are buying into narrative of the day

Herod the Great

This Herod, known as “the Great,” is the first of several Herods mentioned in the New Testament

He was a clever and capable warrior, orator, and diplomat

He built theaters, race tracks, and other structures to provide entertainment for the people, and in 19 b.c. he began the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

But Herod was also cruel and merciless. He was incredibly jealous, suspicious, and afraid for his position and power

Vs. 3 Everyone Troubled

First, Herod freaks out

He is so insecure over his power that any threat throws him into a mess

It also troubled the people in Jerusalem

Who are these gentile strangers that are seeking a king, not Herod, to worship?

Wanna invoke fear? Make people fear they are missing out on something

vs. 4-6 Born in Bethlehem

The only ones not freaking out are the Priests

They had to assemble them to figure out where the Messiah was going to be born

This shows us two things

First, they were teaching the people what Scripture says about the Messiah coming

Everyone should’ve known Jesus was going to be born in Bethlehem

Second, they weren’t looking for Him even though word had to reach Jerusalem about what the shepherds saw

If the Priests hearts were knit together with the Lord they would’ve rushed to Bethlehem as soon as they heard

Their whole life was about worship

Foolish men fear someone who might usurp their power

vs. 7-8 Secret Plot

Herod summons the men in secret

He asks about the star

He sends them to Bethlehem on a fact finding mission

“Come back and tell me so that I can go and worship”

Fearful men always look to eliminate the competition

Both Herod and the Priests weren’t too interested in a new king

Are you indifferent or in fear about how following Jesus might change your life?

Wise Men Worship Him Vs. 9-12

Wise men still worship Him

These wise men were about their business

This wasn’t a spiritual vacation

They had come to worship

As soon as they are directed to Bethlehem the star reappears

This tells us that God used their respite in Jerusalem to stirs things up

Sometimes God will use you to agitate something He is doing in another person’s heart

Vs 9 Following the Star

They follow the star to Bethlehem

It came to rest over the place where the child was

This shows us that the Star of Bethlehem was more than a constellation

It was probably something more like what the Shepherds experienced in the fields

It’s what the Bible calls the Shekinah glory

The word star here can also represent any great brilliance or radiance.

Though having had limited spiritual light, they immediately recognized God’s light when it shone on them

vs. 10-11a Rejoiced & Worshipped

When they see the star they rejoiced exceedingly

There is great expectation in their hearts

They full of joy and they haven’t even seen the baby

This is what a heart of worship does

It fills your heart with a constant state of joy and expectation

They go in an fall down and worship

The word worship is full of meaning, expressing the idea of falling down, prostrating oneself, and kissing the feet or the hem of the garment of the one honored.

We were created to worship

You have to make an effort to do it

Study just came out that correlates the likelihood your children will follow Jesus

76% If both parents attend church regularly

65% if the dad attends regularly

44% if the mom attends regularly

6% if the parents attend occasionally

Parents are wondering why their child has no spiritual desire when they only go to church every once in a while

vs. 11b-12 Offered treasures

They came bearing gifts

They presented their gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Their giving was not so much an addition to their worship as an element of it.

The gifts were an expression of worship, given out of the overflow of adoring and grateful hearts.

Throughout history gold has been considered the most precious of metals and the universal symbol of material value and wealth.

It was also a symbol of nobility and royalty

Frankincense was a costly, beautiful-smelling incense that was used only for the most special of occasions.

Myrrh was also a perfume, not quite so expensive as frankincense but nevertheless valuable

Closing

We see in this account the three typical responses to Jesus Christ that men have made throughout history.

Some, like Herod, are immediately hateful, wanting to know nothing of God’s way except how to attack and, if possible, destroy it.

Others, like the chief priests and scribes, pay little if any attention to God and His way.

What they know of God they do not accept or obey. At most, He is given lip service.

Others, however, like the magi from the east, accept the Lord when He comes to them. They may have little of His light initially, but because they know it is His light, they believe, obey, and worship—and live.