KCCBR Combined Worship

12-31-2023

Matthew 2:1-12

Wise Men and Fools

 

Introduction: “Make Disciples of all Nations” (Matthew 28:19-20)

As we close out another year and look ahead to a new year, it is a good time for all of us to examine our walk with God. We can do this by asking ourselves some questions. Questions like, Was 2023 a year I can say that I saw growth in my spiritual life? Was it a year that I can say my spiritual growth impacted my brothers and sisters in Christ? Was 2023 a year that I spent time daily in God’s Word and in prayer? How was my gratitude expressed in my service to God and my neighbor?

 

As a reminder, our theme for 2023 was from 1 John 4:7 which says: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” How has love for our church family been manifested in each one of us? Before we knew God, we were far from Him. Our sin kept us at a great distance from Him. But Jesus changed that. Ephesians 2:13 says: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” The Gentiles, who were often referred to as being far away from God were brought near. Their sin is what distanced them from God. Only grace could bring them near to Him. No matter who we are, whether Jew or Gentile, what distances us from God is our sin.

 

Jesus was a Jew. He was born in Bethlehem. He was a descendant of King David. Matthew purposes to present Jesus as a king. Jesus was not only King of the Jews but He is the King of Kings. When this King brought us into his kingdom, He gave us a mandate to bring to the world. Matthew 28:19-20 says: “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This was at the end of Matthew’s gospel, but right from the beginning, we can see that Jesus did not just come for the Jews, but for all nations. He accomplishes this as His children are faithful to His mandate. Beginning with each one of us, from one faithful heart to another, His mandate is being fulfilled.

 

1. “Where is the One?” (vs. 1-2) “1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Now, we are looking at a time after the birth of Jesus. Questions that come from this text are: Who were the Magi? When did they arrive? How many were there? What was this star? We all have heard stories about these wise men or magi. Let’s do our best to answer these questions.

 

First, who were the magi and how many were there? Now, some have said there were three of them and even given them names, but the Bible doesn’t say how many there were. It only speaks of three gifts given to Jesus but the Bible doesn’t say how many magi.

 

But who were they? They first seem to appear in history in the 7th century B.C. within the Median nation in eastern Mesopotamia. So, this would make them ancient Iranian people. Historians consider them to be Semites, which would make them descendants of Noah’s son Shem. The name magi came to be solely associated with a priesthood in the pagan tribe. They were skilled in astronomy and astrology. It is said that they also only believed in one god, but not the God of Israel.

 

But Daniel had an influence on some of them. He was appointed as chief of the magi in Daniel 2:48. 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon, and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. It is very possible that Daniel had such influence on some of the wise men that centuries later, they were still anticipating the coming of this King of the Jews. I wish I had time to say more but let’s move on.

 

Second, when was this? If you look at most nativity scenes on cards and in front yards, you will see three magi included. But, they actually arrived much later than the time of his birth. Verse 11 tells us that Mary was in a house, There is no mention of Joseph. It is likely he was working by this time. Look at Matthew 2:16: “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”

 

We can’t be absolutely sure, but it could be anywhere from 1-2 years from the time of Christ’s birth that these Magi arrived. Verse 16 tells us that Herod’s decision to kill all boys in the vicinity that were 2 years and under was based on the time he learned from the Magi (v.7) They had told Herod how long they had been following the star. So, Jesus could very well have been 2 years old by this time. This is a good reason not to develop our theology based on modern nativity scenes and Christmas cards.

 

Third, how many were there? We don’t know but historians tell us that these men were counselors to kings. They were known as Kingmakers. When they traveled, they brought many others with them. There could have been 12 of them with many others who joined them on their journey. When they arrived in Jerusalem, it wasn’t something small. It was a big event and it disturbed Herod.

 

Fourth question is what was the star? Many people over the years have tried to explain what this star was. Some just said it was just another star. Others have called it a comet. Some have explained it to be Jupiter. I believe this star was supernatural. When the angels appeared to the shepherds in Luke 2: it says: 9 “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” Throughout the Bible, God manifested Himself in light. The star these wise men saw was so significant that they would journey close to 1,000 miles to worship Him. It wasn’t just another star in the sky or a comet.

 

Numbers 24:17 says: “I see him, but not now; I look at him, but not near; A star shall appear from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall smash the forehead of Moab, And overcome all the sons of Sheth.” This was God’s star that rose in the sky. In verse 2. the wisemen asked: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

 

2. Herod’s Response (vs. 3-8). “3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:6 “‘But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” Verse 2 ended with the magi telling us they were looking for the King of the Jews so they could come worship Him.

 

In verse 3, Herod has a much different response. First it tells us that Herod was disturbed. This Herod was disturbed because first of all, he thought of himself as their king. He was unexpectedly appointed King of the Jews by the Roman Senate long before these magi came. That appointment was around about 37 B.C. They gave him an army to fight off a Parthian invasion. The magi were an instant threat because they were a council of Parthian king makers and they were looking for the newborn king of the Jews.

 

So, Herod calls all of the priests and teachers of the law to ask them where the Messiah was to be born. They spoke from Micah 5:2 to say He would be born in Bethlehem. It’s important to note the religious leader's response here. They weren’t excited at that moment. They seem to be indifferent to the fact that their Messiah could very well be in Bethlehem 6 miles to their south. You think they would want to go worship him, too.

 

Herod then called for the magi and inquired of them the exact time the star had appeared. The time they gave him was likely what determined him later to kill all the boys under 2 years of age. That’s why we know when told them to search carefully for him that he may worship Him, also, that he was lying. So up until now, we see the magi who came to worship the King. We saw the religious folks who were indifferent to Him and King Herod, who hated Jesus so much that he wished to kill Him.

 

These three responses are still common today. There are people who hate Jesus so much today that they kill His followers. There are folks who know about Jesus, but it has no effect on their lives. Then, there are those who come to Him to authentically worship Him. I guess for us the question is, who is Jesus to us?

 

3. True Worshipers (9-11) “9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” The magi followed that supernatural star until it brought them to the Light of the World. They were so overcome by this encounter that it says they were overjoyed. Wow! Think about this moment. You have the religious leaders who thought nothing to even come to see Jesus since His birth. You have Herod, who hated Jesus so much that he would kill every boy 2 years and under.

 

John reminds us in John 1:11-13 “11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.” His own people rejected Him even crucifying Him. Herod hated Him so much He wanted to kill Him. But the magi received Him and He gave them the right to be children of God. They were not born of the blood or will of the flesh, nor of man, but of the will of God. God is looking for true worshipers. Those who worship like these magi.

 

Conclusion: “Throw Off What Hinders Us” (Hebrews 12:1) Read verse 12: “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” God knew Herod well. Herod intended to kill the magi. So, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Joseph also would be warned in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. God’s plan would not be thwarted. His plan is still being fulfilled as we live faithfully to His mandate. God wants us to be true in our faith, in our worship and in our loving service to each other and His kingdom.

 

As we go into a new year, let us all examine ourselves and ask ourselves who Jesus is to us. Today, we saw wise men and fools. To Herod, Jesus was a threat. He hated Jesus. To the religious leaders, Jesus really meant nothing to them. But, to the magi from far away which signifies all sinners, Jesus was their Savior and Lord.

 

Hebrews 12:1 is a good verse to ponder as we face a new year. But God doesn't just want us to ponder over His Word. He wants it to produce true worshipers in His church. So, let's not just ponder at Hebrews 12:1, but let’s read it and pray that we all worship Jesus like these magi. They gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. Let us give our lives to Him. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Father, let these words produce true worshipers in your church in the coming new year.