The Visit of the Magi

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employees home telephone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered, "Hello?" Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes," whispered the small voice. "May I talk with him?" the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, "No." Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes," came the answer. "May I talk with her?" Again, the small voice whispered, "No." Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. "Is there any one there besides you?" the boss asked the child. "Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman." Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he is busy," whispered the child. "Busy doing what?" asked the boss. "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer. Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?" "A hello-copper," answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?" asked the boss, now alarmed. In an awed whispering voice, the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper!" Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated, the boss asked, "Why are they there?" Still whispering, the young voice replied (along with a muffled giggle), "They are looking for me!"

Long ago a group of guys went searching – not for a lost boy but for a new born King…and their search took them to Jerusalem, the Holy City of the Jewish people. Turn with me to Matthew 2:1-11 as look at the visit of the Magi…read…

Matthew 2:1–11 NASB95

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This morning let’s explore 4 things about this group. 1st consider…

1. Their Identity (2:1)

- We’re told that a group of Magi from East arrived in Jerusalem. We don’t know how many Magi arrived because the Bible doesn’t say. Tradition says they were Kings and also says there were 3 because of the 3 gifts that they presented once they found the New Born King.

- Their exact identity is impossible to determine – from the best evidence we can gather, it is likely they were Gentiles of high position from a country, perhaps Parthia, northeast of Babylon.

- The word magi is translated wise men and probably refers to them being a group of scholars who studied the stars…more like astrologers…and no doubt they were wealthy to be able to travel so far and bring such expensive gifts.

TS – 2nd consider…

2. Their Mission (2:1-2)

- They were searching for this new born King who, through some divine revelation the Bible doesn’t explain, understood that a very special King had been born or was about to be born!

- They clearly stated that they saw His star in the east and that there mission was 1) To find Him 2) To worship Him, pay homage to Him! (vs. 2)

- Much conjecture has occurred over the Star – we don’t know exactly its identity - but it’s clear from the Magi’s study of the stars and their scholarly enterprise that the Star had a heavenly appearance and probably started them on their journey to find this New Born King!

- Apparently through their science and scholarly studies, this particular Star pointed them to city of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. They understood this Star to reveal that a New Born King – King of the Jews had been born!

- TS – 3rd consider…

3. Their Stir (Excitement) (2:2-8)

- Upon arriving in Jerusalem they certainly drew quite a bit of attention! The caravan would’ve been large.

- And at once they began to immediately inquire (ask): Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

- And they shared how they had seen His Star in the east that had revealed to them His glorious birth…and how they had come to worship Him!

- They fully expected the city to have been a buzz over this Newly Born King! But they had to be shocked that no one knew about this!

- And Word quickly reached King Herod’s ear and he became greatly troubledabout this earth shattering news! Why? Because he was the King of the Jews– he was the appointed King and ruler over this region and country! And this news meant there was a now a rival to his throne! By this time in Herod’s life he had become filled with paranoia over losing his throne – so much so they had murdered several in his own family for fear they would overthrow him. Thus, he was known as a very cruel and merciless ruler – one who would stop at nothing to snuff out any threat to his throne and power!

- And interestingly Herod took this news and the uniqueness of these Gentile visitors to indicate that this Promised Messiah King foretold in Hebrew Scripture must now be on the scene!

- So he gathered the Jewish religious leaders together and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born! And they told him it had been written by the prophet (the prophet Micah) “In Bethlehem of Judea…(read verse 6)…”

- Then Herod secretly called the Magi and found out from them the time when the Star appeared to them…then he sent them to Bethlehem…and bid them to go make search for the Child…and upon finding Him to return to him letting him know so he too could then go and worship Him too!

TS – Next consider…

4. Their Success (2:9-12)

- Upon receiving this news from Herod, they left and headed to Bethlehem.

- And upon leaving, the Star once again gloriously appeared to them and led them to where the Child was!

- We learn here that some time has passed since Jesus had been born on that glorious night and laid in a manger because there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn.

- By this time, they had moved from that temporary lodging and were living in a house – and Jesus was evidently about 2 years old - since once Herod learned he’d been tricked by the Magi, he killed all the male children 2 years old or younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.

- And one thing is certain about the Star – it was no normal star in the heavens because stars do not move North to South and once they left Jerusalem heading to Bethlehem, which is about 6 miles south of Jerusalem, the Star reappeared to them and led them to the very place where the Child was and stood over the house! This clearly was no normal star!

- And what a glorious site that must have been with the star standing over the house where Jesus, Joseph and Mary were! And this large caravan arriving…in the little town of Bethlehem

- And arriving there they began to rejoice exceedingly with great joy!

- And they came in and fell down before Him and worshiped and presented to Him the precious gifts they had traveled so far to present – gold, frankincense and myrrh!

- THERE SEARCH HAD FINALLY ENDED! THEY FOUND THIS CHILD WHO WAS THE KING OF THE JEWS!

Conclusion

He Came

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u65m__-LLfs

HE CAME! And that’s what we celebrate today!