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The Gifts of the Magi Scripture Introduction: What kind of giving pleases God? – 1782 Famine – Marquis de Lafayette – “No, this is the time to give!” Marquis de Lafayette was a young
French general who joined the American Revolution and became a friend of
George Washington. An influential man in the The Marquis knew that real love is often measured by our willingness to let go of what we possess. He knew that the thing we grip most tightly in our hands is the very thing God sometimes asks us to hand over to Him. Few biblical stories are as well known, yet so clouded by myth and tradition, as that of the magi, or wise men, mentioned by Matthew. During the Middle Ages legend developed that they were
kings, that they were three in number, and that their names were The only legitimate facts we know about these particular magi are the few given by Matthew in the first twelve verses of chapter 2. We are not told their number, their names, their means of
transportation to A.
The
Magi – v. 1 1. Magi = Latin for the Greek “magoi” 2. Matthew says, Behold! = astonishment, strong attention getting word! 3. The
magi first appear in history in the seventh century b.c. as a tribe within the Median nation in eastern a) Many historians consider them to have been Semites, which if so, made them—with the Jews and Arabs—descendants of Noah’s son Shem. b) It
may also be that, like Abraham, the magi came from ancient c) The name magi soon came to be associated solely with the hereditary priesthood within that tribe. d) The
magi became skilled in astronomy and astrology (which, in that day, were
closely associated) and had a sacrificial system that somewhat resembled the
one God gave to e) They were involved in various occult practices, including sorcery, and were especially noted for their ability to interpret dreams. f) It is from their name that our words magic and magician are derived. 4. Because of their combined knowledge of science, agriculture, mathematics, history, and the occult, their religious and political influence continued to grow until they became the most prominent and powerful group of advisors in the Medo–Persian and subsequently the Babylonian empire. a) It is not strange, therefore, that they often were referred to as “wise men.” b) It
may be that “the law of the Medes and Persians” (see Dan. 6:8, 12, 15; c) Historians
tell us that no Persian was ever able to become king without mastering the
scientific and religious disciplines of the magi and then being approved and
crowned by them, and that this group also largely controlled judicial
appointments (cf. d) Nergal–sar–ezer the Rab–mag, chief of the Babylonian magi, was with Nebuchadnezzar when he attacked and conquered Judah (Jer. 39:3). 5. We
learn from the book of a) Because
the Lord gave b) Because
of his great wisdom and because he had successfully pleaded for the lives of
the wise men who had failed to interpret the king’s dream (Dan. The
plot against c) Because
of d) The
magi from the east (the word
literally means “from the rising” of the sun, and refers to the orient) who
came to see Jesus were true magi, and they surely had been strongly influenced
by Judaism, quite possibly even by some of the prophetic writings, especially
that of B. A Great Question 1. “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews?” – v. 2 a) I believe the Magi were sincere seekers of God - Why? because of the way God led them and responded to their needs. 2. This is the Search we are all on. a) They saw His Star in the East. (1) Why a star? (2) God appeared to the shepherds in their fields, and to the Magi as a sign in heaven. (3) This is God’s method. (4) He reveals Himself to us and gives us guidance in a way we can understand. b) They have come to worship Him. (1) Our heart’s desire/need is to worship the Creator! (2) From the Magi’s experience we can learn that following the light God gives will always lead us to Christ. I.
The
Quest of the Magi (vv. 1-10) A.
The
Star of 1. We are not told how the God of revelation caused the magi to know that the King of the Jews had been born, only that He gave them the sign of His [the One called King] star in the east. a) Almost as much speculation has been made about the identity of that star as about the identity of the men who saw it. b) Some suggest that it was Jupiter, the “king of the planets.” c) Others claim that it was the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, forming the sign of the fish—which was used as a symbol for Christianity in the early church during the Roman persecutions. d) Still others claim that it was a low–hanging meteor, an erratic comet, or simply an inner vision of the star of destiny in the hearts of mankind. 2. Since the Bible does not identify or explain the star, we cannot be dogmatic, but it may have been the glory of the Lord—the same glory that shone around the shepherds when Jesus’ birth was announced to them by the angel (Luke 2:9). 3. Throughout the Old Testament we are told of God’s glory being manifested as light, God radiating His presence (Shekinah) in the form of ineffable light. a) The
Lord guided the children of b) When
Moses went up on Mount Sinai, “to the eyes of the sons of c) On a later occasion, after Moses had inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, His face still glowed with the light of God’s glory when he returned to the people (Ex. 34:30). 4. That the magi were not following the star is clear from the fact that they had to inquire about where Jesus was born. a) They
saw His star in the east, but there is no evidence that it continued to shine
or that it led them to b) It
was not until they were told of the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah
(2:5–6) that the star reappeared and then guided them not only to c) These
travelers from the east had come to 5. The word worship is full of meaning, expressing the idea of falling down, prostrating oneself, and kissing the feet or the hem of the garment of the one honored. a) That truth in itself shows that they were true seekers after God, because when He spoke to them, in whatever way it was, they heard and responded. b) Despite their paganism, quasi–science, and superstition they recognized God’s voice when He spoke. c) Though having had limited spiritual light, they immediately recognized God’s light when it shone on them. d) They had genuinely seeking hearts, hearts that the Lord promises will never fail to find Him (Jer. 29:13). B. The Purpose of the Magi 1. We are not told what, if anything, the magi told Herod. a) They had no way of knowing his wicked intent. b) They
proceeded to 2. They lost sight of the star, but continued looking anyway! a) The Lord gave them even more specific help, leading them directly to Jesus. b) The star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. c) That the star was not a physical heavenly body is again evident from the fact that it was able to stand directly over the house where Jesus and His family now lived—which for obvious reasons could not be possible for an actual star. 3. God called them again a) It
was a sign that led them to b) God will use extrodinary and even miraculous when that is what is necessary, but withdraws it when the Scriptures and sanctified judgment will suffice. c) When we follow the light of Scripture, we will not walk in darkness! C. When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 1. The sight of the star which came to rest over the place where the Christ child lay caused them to rejoice with exceeding joy (v. 10) 2. These Gentile philosphers, eventhough they may have been ignorant of the scriptures, believed and acted on them as soon as they heard them and were led to the child. 3. The Jewish religious leaders, eventhough they studied the letter of the scriptures, but not the spirit of them, failed to find the Messiah - and He was only 5 miles away from them! 4. There is a good lesson here in finding the will of God. a) They followed the light God gave them. b) They confirmed their steps with the Word of God. c) They obeyed God without question and He led them each step of the way. II.
The
Worship of the Magi (v. 11) A.
They
came into the house 1. The events described in this passage probably occurred several days or weeks after Jesus was born. a) We
see from b) Jesus,
therefore, would already have been circumcised (8 days), and Mary would have
completed her period of purification (40 days) (Luke c) The
fact that she offered “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke d) Had
this offering been made after the magi with their expensive gifts (Matt. 2. You must come into His Household if you are to worship Him. B. They saw the child with Mary, His mother. 1. Your must see Him as He is: a) a child who came to die for your sins because God the Father loved you so! C. They fell down and worshiped Him. 1. NOT HIS MOTHER! 2. You must fall down and worship Him, just like the Magi, when you see Him as He is 3. And He is the Messiah, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world! 4. Matthew is careful to say that the magi worshiped Him, that is, the Child, not His mother. a) No doubt the magi were delighted to meet both Mary and Joseph, who had been so specially favored by God to be entrusted with caring for His own Son while He grew to manhood. b) But they worshiped only Jesus! c) Only He was God, and only He was worthy of adoration. D. They opened their treasures. 1. You must give as a response to Him in your worship a) Not only did they give, but they came prepared to give! b) They had committed a great portion of their lives in pursuit of Him! c) It was also to Him that they presented their gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 2. Their giving was not so much an addition to their worship as an element of it. a) The gifts were an expression of worship, given out of the overflow of adoring and grateful hearts. b) Right worship is always, and must be, the only basis for right giving and right learning and right service. E.
They
presented Him gifts. 1. For Christ to receive a) gold (1) Throughout history gold has been considered the most precious of metals and the universal symbol of material value and wealth. (2) It was
used extensively in the construction of the (3) It was also a symbol of nobility and royalty. (4) Matthew continually presents Christ as the King, and here we see the King of the Jews, the King of kings, appropriately being presented with royal gifts of gold. b) frankincense (1) Frankincense was a costly, beautiful–smelling incense that was used only for the most special of occasions. (2) It was used (a) in the
grain offerings at the Tabernacle and (b) in certain royal processions (Song of Sol. 3:6–7), and (c) sometimes at weddings if it could be afforded. (3) Origen, the great church Father, suggested that frankincense was the incense of deity. (a) In the
Old Testament it was stored in a special chamber in front of the (b) It is the sweet smell of sacrifice and speaks of Christ’s priestly role of offering the sacrifice for our sins. c) myrrh (1) Myrrh was also a perfume, not quite so expensive as frankincense but nevertheless valuable. (a) Some interpreters suggest that myrrh represents the gift for a mortal, emphasizing Jesus’ humanity. (b) This perfume is mentioned often in Scripture, beginning in Genesis (37:25; 43:11). (c) Mixed
with wine it was also used as an anesthetic (Mark (2) Those were the magi’s gifts to Jesus. (a) Gold for His royalty, (b) frankincense for His deity, and (c) myrrh for His humanity. (i) We
do not know what was done with the gifts, but it seems reasonable that they
were used to finance the trip to 2. For us to give – Picture of all of our giving, but especially Christmas giving! a) gold (1) first and foremost - our giving is for the glory of God (2) Giving that is generous but done apart from a loving relationship with God and for the glory of God is empty giving. (3) Learning that is orthodox and biblical but is learned apart from knowing and depending on the glory of God is empty knowledge, like that of the chief priests and scribes. (4) Service that is demanding and sacrificial but done in the power of the flesh or for the praise of men and not for the glory of God is empty service. b) frankincense (1) our giving is to have the sweet smell of sacrifice! (2) Our giving is to be like God’s giving - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .” (3) God’s giving is so different from men’s giving! (a) Too many times we give for our own self-advantage - it is a very subtle form of getting! (i) God gives purely because He loves us! (b) Our giving is only to a certain extent, rarely to the point of sacrifice. (i) God gives without limit! (c) We usually give when some one cries out for help! (i) God gives to those who neither realise their need nor appreciate His gift. (d) Our giving is usually done to friends. (i) God gives His gifts to those who are alienated and rebellious. (ii) God gave His own Son who died for the ungodly! c) myrrh (1) Our giving must come out of the death of self to be pleasing to God. (2) You must live in total obedience to Him and think of Jesus first, then others, and lastly, yourself. (3) This is the only way you can give! (4) This is God’s way of giving. III.
The
Return of the Magi (v. 12) A.
Warned
by God 1. They were warned by God not to return to Herod. 2. God will keep you from the evil one if you walks in obedience to Him! B. Departed by another way 1. They departed for their own country by another way. 2. Anyone who comes to Christ will go home another way and be a new creature! 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. IV. Application A. God calls each of us to come and worship the King. B. God expects our worship to be giving of self to Him for His glory! C. God expects us to leave by “another way” after we worship the King! 1. Give first your life! 2. Accept His gift before you give to Him |
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