Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Romans 1:16
- The message first to the Jew
- Prophecies are being fulfilled - Isaiah, Psalm 72:11
- Thinking of the wise men
- Not an easy thing
- It would have taken a long time to get there - consider the age of Jesus (an infant)
- Questions:
Who were the wise men?
- Maybe philosophers - thinking about the meaning of life?
- Maybe astronomers, astrologers, kings?
- The word magi - they can probably be traced back to ancient Babylon
- They can interpret dreams to a point
- Probably from Persia, Arabia or Babylon - we cannot be dogmatic
- They had means
- They were gentiles (not Jews)
- This reminds us that Jesus came to save both Jew and Gentile
- The Shepherds has good tidings of great joy to all people - including these gentile kings
- They were deeply impacted
- They fell down and worshipped the infant Jesus
- We will never full know
- But what is the impact of the birth of Jesus Christ on you?
- Do you want to share the good news?
How did they know about Jesus birth?
- They saw "His" star in the east - how did they know this was His star?
- Maybe they had interpreted the writings of Daniel by Divine revelation
- Maybe they had copies of the Torah (the Prophecy in Numbers 24:17)
- Perhaps God revealed it directly to them
- There are many details we do not know in Scripture - but this does not matter if we trust God
- We see prophecy revealed
- We see that what it says is true
- We believe that God is God
- God may use natural and divine revelation
- Has the word of God touched your life?
- Example of the Bereans - will you search the Bible?
What is this star?
- A supernova, a planetary conjunction, etc
- We do not need to get caught up in details
- How many wise men were there?
- We do not prove God
- Example of modern technology
- If man can do these things - what is God able to do?
- Did the star move?
- It appeared in the East and then it reappeared in Bethlehem
Why did the wise men go to Herod?
- They are dignitaries so they go to a royal palace
- They expect Herod to know the birth place of a king
- They go to Jerusalem - the central city
- They discover that Jesus was not born in Jerusalem and Herod did not know His location
- People often search in the wrong places
- It is not about looking for holy places
- God does dwell in places made by human hands
- God is not far from any one of us
- If you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him
- What is your desire?
- Do you desire to find God in your life?
How did they find Jesus?
- The Pharisees and the Scribes understood the Scriptures
- Even though they were unholy - they knew these things
- Micah 5:2
- The Jews understood Jesus would come from the line of David in Bethlehem
- The wise men are lead to the Saviour
- God can use all means to bring people to Himself
What did they do when they go there?
- They bowed down and worshipped Jesus (v11)
- What is our worship like?
- You only bow down to someone who is worthy of worship
- They bring gifts:
- Gold - Deity/Kingship
- Myrrh - for the embalming of bodies
- Frankincense
- The gifts are prophetic
- Showing who Jesus Christ is
Closing Remarks
- The conclusion of the Christmas story
- Found in two gospels (Matthew and Luke)
- More is made about His death and resurrection
- Less about His birth
- We can give thanks this morning for His birth
- Have you believed in Him?