Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Jesus's birth into the world was into very difficult circumstances
- A jealous King Herod
- A low point in religion
- Radicalism and zealots
- Formulistic religion
- Let us consider the story of the wise men
- They came to worship the infant child (not a baby)
- The star of the Messiah
- They came to Herod and sought the location of the Christ
- They saw the start again that brought them to Jesus
- They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh
- They bowed down and worshiped Jesus
- What do you make of this?
- Do you think it fanciful?
- The scenes are magical - but we need to ask what it is all about
- We need to ask the question - who is Jesus Christ?
The Wise Men
- Maybe kings but described as wise men
- They came from the East - likely the Babylonian area
- They are thought to be astrologers
- In Old Testament times there were wise men and advisors
- How did they know the King of the Jews had been born?
- Were they studying ancient texts - e.g. the book of Daniel?
- Did they know the prediction in Numbers 21?
- We are told that they saw the star in the East and know this somehow pointed to the Messiah
- Dreams, a constellation of planets or stars - it doesn't matter
- It was a sign that a King had been born
- It must have been a difficult journey
- The Scriptures tell how God facilitated their journey
- God uses even Herod and the Chief Priests
- God's ways are not our ways
Herod's Response
- The wise men assume that Herod is sincere but he was not
- He desired not to worship but get rid of this rival king
- He (and all Jerusalem) was troubled
- Pretense and lying is a strong part of human makeup - example
- Jesus has come to rescue men and women from their selves - to rescue them from their sin
The Gifts:
- Gold - fit for a King
- Frankincense - used in worship
- Myrrh - used to embalm bodies
- Symbolic gifts
- Gold: they bowed down and worshiped / God alone is to be worshiped - they worship the infact Christ
- Myrrh: to speak of Jesus death, burial and triumphant rising from the dead
What does this all mean?
- Will you not give yourself to worship Him?
- Will you not consider and study the Bible?
- Will you not think about the love of God in heaven?
- Is not the life of Jesus good news to all people?
- What will be your response?