Good morning an d welcome to the Panhandle. My mom tells a story about me coming home from Sunbeam and excitedly telling her what I had learned that day. I guess it must have been around Christmas time, because she says that when I got home I couldn't wait to tell her about the angle visiting Mary and Joseph to tell them about having a special baby. And about the shepherds who were in the field when a bunch of angles showed up and sang to them. And then finally I told her about the three wise guys who came from a long way off looking for that special baby named Jesus.
Last week we sang the song “We Three Kings.” Then we looked at those involved in Matthew 2:1-12. We looked at the Wise Men, at Herod, and the religious leader in Jerusalem. We even looked at the gifts that the Wise Men brought. And I pray you learned how all of these elements blended together to give us a remarkable account surrounding Christ Jesus' birth.
I don't know about you, but I think this is a great narrative. And even if we get it a little wrong this is one of the most popular stories of Christmas. We love to tell the kiddos about the three wise guys, I mean men. We love to sing their song. But I told y'all last week there is more to this narrative than just a great song! When we look closely there things God wants us to learn from this passage of the Wise Men? So let's open God's Word and see what else Matthew can teach us in verse 1-12.
Matthew 2:1-11
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 in the east and have come to worship him."
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 Christ 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 be the shepherd of 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 make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh.
1. We Learn That The Scriptures Will Lead Us To Christ Jesus (vs. 6)
Like I said last week there was a general expectation at that time, in the eastern part of the world, of some great prince appearing. Roman historian Tacitus, in his history (lib. 5), takes notice of it; A persuasion existed in the minds of many that some ancient writings of the priests contained a prediction that about that time an eastern power would prevail, and that persons proceeding from Judea would obtain dominion. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
It also seems the wise men were familiar with the Scriptures at least somewhat. How they came by that knowledge is like I said last week, is just speculation. But we do know that Scriptures lead them to Christ Jesus. First it is possible and probable that some of the prophecies concerning a coming king made it into their hands. They may have even had a copy of Balaam's prophecy: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17). This got them to Jerusalem. Then the Priests and the Scribes filled in the rest of the details by reading them the Scripture (Micah 5:2) that sent them on their way to Bethlehem.
The Scriptures lead them to Christ Jesus. The Scriptures can still lead you to Christ Jesus. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37).
The Bible is the witness of God. It is God sharing His story with you. And His story points you to the way to come back to Him.
The Bible points you to Christ Jesus in whom you find your way to God.
The Bible points you to the One who will never turn you away.
The Bible points you to the only One who can save you, Christ Jesus.
Like the Wise Men, the Scriptures will lead you to Christ Jesus if you will let it. Oh let it lead you to Him.
Rejoice in the Lord always and
Again
I say Rejoice
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say
Again
I say Rejoice
Rejoice, Rejoice,
Again I say, rejoice
Rejoice, rejoice
Again I say, rejoice
2. We Learn That The Birth Of Christ Jesus Is A Reason For Rejoicing (vs. 10)
The star led the Wise Men to the baby, now infant King they had come hundreds and hundreds of miles to see. When they got close, they were overcome with "exceedingly great joy." They were overjoyed at the prospect of seeing the baby. Christ Jesus coming into the world set them to rejoicing.
The Birth of Christ Jesus is still a reason for rejoicing. As you all know by now I am just a big kid at heart, and I enjoy the Christmas season. I get excited about Christmas specials on T.V., about the music and the presents. I enjoy the time I get to spend with my family and friends. But I never forget that Christ Jesus is the "reason for the season," and neither should you. It should be a time of rejoicing over Him. Christ Jesus came into the world to live a sinless life. He came into the world to die on the cross for your sins. He came to show you the way to forgiveness and eternal life. He did it all for you. If there wasn't anybody else but you, He would have done it all. That should give you a reason for rejoicing.
The birth of Christ Jesus means you have a way out from under your sins and into the arms of God. The birth of Christ Jesus should always be a cause for rejoicing: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).
On cloudy days the sun still shines as brightly as ever in the center of the solar system; and when you rejoice in your hope that is Christ Jesus , you’re saying, “Despite current conditions, the Son is shining for me as brightly as ever with healing in His rays.” Let Christ Jesus' healing rays shine into your heart and rejoice today.
3. We Learn That Christ Jesus Is To Be Worshiped (vs. 11)
The wise men finally saw Christ Jesus with their own eyes. They walked into the room and there was the infant king they'd traveled so far to see. There was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So what did they do? What was their first reaction? They fell down and worshiped Him. They fell to the ground, either bowing or prostrating themselves as subjects of their King. They lifted Him up over themselves.
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:9-11). Christ Jesus is still to be worshiped. He is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is worthy of your worship. You should be willing to fall down at His feet. You should be willing to assume a posture of worship before your King.
He is the Great Lord God Almighty who came to die for you so that you may live with Him. You should lift Him up, worship and praise Him. Christ Jesus is and will always be worthy of worshiped.
4. We Learn that Christ Jesus Is Worthy Of Our Treasures (vs. 11).
The wise men brought their treasures to Christ Jesus. This infant King, Christ Jesus, deserved all that the wise men had. They brought their treasures, their possessions of great worth, and laid them at His feet. Nothing was too much for the King. They gave Him their best.
Christ Jesus is still worthy of your treasures and no I am not just talking about financial treasures. He's still worthy to receive all that you have. All that you have is His blessing to you. Nothing should be so valuable in your life that you won't lay it down for Christ Jesus. Nothing should be so treasured that you let its value outshine the Lord Christ Jesus. Nothing should stand between you and your Lord.
Christ Jesus is worthy of your greatest treasure, yourself. That's right, won't you give yourself freely to the One who gave His all for you? Wont you call on His name?
5. We Learn That It's Still Wise To Seek Christ Jesus.
It was the Wise Men that sought Christ Jesus. Herod was the king but he didn't go with the Wise Men to find Christ Jesus. The priests and scribes were smart, they knew the Scriptures, but they didn't bother looking for Christ Jesus. It was these outsiders who were truly wise because they sought the One True King – Christ Jesus.
It's still wise to seek Christ Jesus. Wisdom is the ability to discern, to understand what you've learned. Christ Jesus is not only looking for the powerful. He is not only looking for the smart, rich, or scholarly. Christ Jesus is looking for the lost and dying. They could be powerful, they could be rich or they could just be getting by or they could be dirt poor. They could be smart or the could lack an education. They could be religious or they may not want anything to do with religion. Christ Jesus isn't looking at your station in life, He is looking at your heart. Wise men and women still seek Him. Won't you come to Him today?
Thanks for dropping by, and may the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Bible Surfer
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