The mission of the magi

I. Introduction v 1-2

Born in Bethlehem

5-6 miles from Jerusalem

Hometown of David (700 yrs)

v 6 - Micah 5:2

Herod “the great”

tyrant

appointed “King of the Jews” by the Romans (39 BC)

Rome conquered Judea (present day Israel) in 63 BC

ruled 37 years

Hated

ruthless reign

Idumean - descendant of Esau who practiced Judaism therefore claimed to be Jewish.

Magi

Magicians, sorcerers, astrologers

Men of some respect (time with the King)

From Babylon (east of Jerusalem

Daniel 2:48 NASB95

48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 9

“King of the Jews”

against Herod

Star

Shekinah Glory (dwelling of God) or Angel

v 2

v 9

v 10

II. The worry of a king v 3-8

v 3 - Troubled

v 4 - Gathered the priest and scribes

v 5-6 - prophesy of Messiah being born in Bethlehem

v 7 - secretly called

v 8 - I too may come and worship

III. The wonder of the wisemen v 9-11a

v 9 - star (reappeared)

v 10 - rejoiced with joy

v 11 - fell to the ground and worshiped

IV. The worship of The King v 11b-12

Gifts

Gold - Eternal king

Frankincense - High priest

Myrrh - Sacrificial lamb

V. Conclusion

Herod vs Magi

Herod

practiced Judaism

rejected the king

Magi

Gentiles

Searched for Jesus...

Worshiped Jesus...

Sacrificed to Jesus...

Followed the instruction of God...

Deut 30:14-20

Romans 10:8–10 NASB95

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.