Christmas Story #5 – The Wise Men
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?
Example
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
John 3:16
Have you believed in Him?