‘Christmas Stories – Part 4’ – 12.22.24

December 22, 2024
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“THE WISEMEN” 

THEY WERE SEEKING. 

Visitors from the East 

1Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.  About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem,  asking, 2“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose,  and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when  he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the  leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the  Messiah supposed to be born?” 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this  is what the prophet wrote: 6‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are  not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who  will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called for a private  meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star  first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully  for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go  and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And  the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead  of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw  the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child  with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they  opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and  myrrh. 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by  another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:1-12 NLT 

  • In Matthew Chapter 2, the primary message is that Jesus is the  “King of the Jews”, and his birth is significant for all people. • The wisemen were most likely not kings but wealthy or well to  do astrologers. 
  • They were from Persia and were most likely taught and  influenced by the Old Testament teachings since Daniel and  many others were taken to Babylon as captives. 

17aI see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant  future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel… Numbers 24:17a NLT 

THEY WORSHIPPED HIM. 

10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house  and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and  worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of  gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 NLT 

  • These gifts were gifts of faith, because the gold previewed him  as the King of kings, the frankincense previewed Him as our  great high priest, and myrrh previewed Him as the One born to  die – the suffering Savior. 
  • Isaiah 53 
  • They also gave honor and reverence as they bowed down in  worship of Jesus. 
  • Giving is part of our worship. 
  • They traveled great distances to be able to see Him and give. 

13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13 NLT • Many of the priests and teachers of religious law didn’t care to  seek out the true king, they knew the Scriptures, they just did  not believe them. 

  • An irreverent person is a person who has lost sight of the  holiness and the majesty of almighty God. 

ARE YOU SEEKING THE SAVIOR? 

  • The good news is Jesus left heaven to seek you, to reach you.  • We can follow the example of the wisemen by bowing down in  worship to the King of kings.
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