1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “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.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And 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. 5So 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.’”
7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8And 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.” 9When 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. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And 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. —Matthew 2:1-11
Make Room For
.
Wise Men – The term means “Magi” and most likely refers to learner of the sky and astronomy. They were most likely from the Persia area.
Timing – They come about 2 years after Jesus’ birth.
Number – Nowhere in Scripture is the number of Wise Men present mentioned.
Names – Starting in the 7th century, the names Baltashar, Melchior, and Casper were attributed to the Wise Men.
Star – Planetary alignment? Supernova? Supernatural event?
We may not know everything about the situation, but we do know their intent – WORSHIP.
Worship begins with how we
Jesus.
Notice how the Wise Men approached the idea of Jesus:
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “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.” —Matthew 2:1-2
Many scholars says…
1. The Wise Men had knowledge of Daniel’s prophesies.
2. Near Eastern culture believed that astrological phenomenons accompanied the birth of savior-type figures.
Notice how Herod approached the idea of Jesus:
3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And 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. 5So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘6But 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.’” —Matthew 2:3-6
The Wise Men were seeking a KING. Herod was seeking a RIVAL.
Is Jesus your King or your rival?
Worship ends with
toward Jesus.
Herod claimed worship:
7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8And 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.” —Matthew 2:7-8
The Wise Men didn’t claim worship, they went to worship:
9When 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. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And 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. —Matthew 2:9-11
The Wise Men gave gifts that were appropriate for a king despite the
.
You will worship this week? What/who will you worship?