Christmas at Matthew's House

Scripture: Daniel 2:27-28

C.I.: The Journey of the Wise

Last week… Today we will continue to see what Matthew tells us about the coming of our Lord.
Today's lesson is predominantly about the Magi. - So we will be asking, “What do they have to do with Jesus birth?”

•  The Journey of the Wise, (Matthew 2:1-12)

A. Introduction: Who were the “Magi” ( wise men )?
1. These men were astronomers (not astrologers ) from the east, probably Persia (modern-day Iran).
a. Thus, these men were Gentiles.
1) Yet why would God use Gentiles in a message about a Jewish Messiah?!
2) Jesus was not just the Jewish Messiah – He is also the Savior of all sinners, ( Matt. 1:21 ).
b. So God will reach out to all people, ( quote Jn. 3:16; II Pt. 3:9; Matt. 28:19 ).

•  Is a Journey of Faith , (vs. 1-6)

1. ( vs. 1-2 ), “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east
arrived in Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is He who is born King of the Jews? – For we saw His star in the east, and have come
to worship Him.'”
a. This was a journey of faith – as these men had no idea of their final destination!
1) “Where you headed?” Don't know? “How far you going?” Don't know? “How long are you
going to be gone?” Don't know that either. “Well, for a wise man, you don't know much!”
2) But their actions define faith, ( Heb. 11:8 ), “By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by
going out to a place he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out not knowing where he ….”
3) They were willing to leave the safety & security of the familiar – to go seek after the King!

b. “Faith” is a journey - where God determines the destination!!
1) Test: Do we make our decisions on the basis of “the comfort of the familiar,” – or on the basis
of faith (i.e., what does God want)?
2) Jesus has made a promise, ( Matt. 7:7 ), “…seek & you shall find.” – But for what do we seek?
3) Just 8 verses earlier Jesus said, ( Matt. 6:33 ), “Seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness….”
4) “Seeking God's kingdom” = Seeking His will in my life, ( Matt. 6:10 ), “Thy kingdom come…!”
5) These men left all their comfort & familiarity - to find the King – can we do any less???!

2. So while faith is our journey – God's word is our guide, ( vs. 3-6 ), “And when Herod the king heard it, he was
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. – And gathering together all the chief priests & scribes of the people, he began to
inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. – And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by
the prophet, ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall
come forth a Ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel.”
a. Note two contrasts between the wise who are searching – an everyone else…
1) Non-rel. are troubled by how His presence will affect them – seekers desire His presence!
2) “Rel.” know God's word & do nothing – seekers act upon the word to draw near to Him.
3) This is how Jesus describes a “wise man,” ( quote Matt. 7:24 ), “Everyone who hears….”


C. Is a Journey of Worship , (vs. 7-11)

1. ( vs. 7-8 ), “Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. – And he sent them
to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him report to me, - that I too
may come and worship Him.'”
a. Herod called the Magi secretly because he had a plan he didn't want the religious to know about…
1) The chief priests and scribes and given him the King's location – “Bethlehem.”
2) But if he was going to triangulate upon his prey – he also needed a “time element.” - The
Magi gave him that information.
3) Next Sunday we will watch as Herod's plot unfolds.

b. “False worship” is always characterized by people doing what they (but not God) desires!
1) ( Matt. 15:7-9 ), “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy … In vain [futile/worthless] do they worship Me….”
2) What God desires, ( Jn. 4:23 ), “An hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers shall….” 3) Although Herod claims his desires is to “worship the Child” – he has another agenda!!!

2. ( vs. 9-11 ) , “A fter hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them
until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. - When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great
joy. -  After coming into the house they saw the Child with ??Mary His mother; and they ??fell to the ground and ??worshiped Him.
Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
a. The Wise men had entered into the king's palace in Jerusalem and found a child. – But when they enter
a humble house in Bethlehem – they discover The King!!!
1) This passage ruins every “Nativity scene” ever created.
2) A “house” not a stable – a “Child” not a baby – three gifts not three wise men!
3) Yet the point is not about nativity – it is about how Gentile royalty – worships the King!!!

b. Why these gifts? – Does Matthew name these gifts because of some significance?
1) All three gifts are valuable. – Yet each was used for a specific reason…
2) Gold = Currency. The family probably was sustained by this gift while down in Egypt.
3) Frankincense = a perfume used in temple worship (incense), i.e., a King to be worshipped!
4) Myrrh = an analgesic (refused on the cross, ( Mk. 15:23 ), “They tried to give Him wine mixed with
myrrh, but He would not take it.” – This King would know suffering!

c. What gifts do we bring to the King?!
1) Gold? = The currency our King desires = Faith!, ( Heb. 11:6 ), “Without faith it is impossible to
please God, for those who come to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
SEEK Him!”
2) Frankincense = Worship = ( Rom. 12:1 ), “I urge you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God…”
3) Myrrh = Are we willing to Follow Jesus example – even if it causes suffering? ( I Pt. 2:21 ),
“You have been called for this purpose, since Christ Jesus suffered for you, leaving you an example to
follow in His steps.”

D. Is a Journey of Change , (v. 12)

1. ( v. 20 ), “Having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another….”
a. You cannot come into the presence of the King and not be changed!
1) This change will not allow us to return the same way we came to Him. – We go a new way!
2) Jesus said, ( Lk. 9:62 ), “Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
3) Change begins with a new way of thinking, ( Rom. 12:2 ), “Do not be conformed to this world….” REVIEW:
FAMILY = Continue our Journey - but now in a newer and more faithful way.
GUESTS = Take the first steps; put your trust/faith in Jesus – ( John 3:16; II Peter 3:9; Matthew 28:19 )!!!