Sermon Info
Summary
The Magi traveled over 1,600 miles to be with Jesus. Their joy, generosity, and sacrifice still inspire us today. The Magi realized that even though they were wealthy in a worldly sense, they knew there was still more to life. They longed to experience what God was doing in the world. In the process of meeting Jesus, they worshiped Him. We are the supporting cast today. Will we meet and worship Jesus this Christmas? Will we bring Him our best? O, come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
Content
When you think about the Wise Men (also known as the Magi) in the story of Jesus’ birth, what comes to mind first? For many, especially this time of year as we’re bombarded with reminders to finish our Christmas shopping, the word is probably presents! And it’s true, the Wise Men brought the Holy Family gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not only were these gifts lavish and expensive, but they were also deeply symbolic and meaningful!
Gold was traditionally given to kings. The Magi were recognizing baby Jesus as King!
Frankincense was used in temple worship practices. The Magi were acknowledging Jesus’ status as our High Priest!
Lastly, myrrh would have seemed like a strange gift for a newborn baby and his family, because it is an embalming oil, which symbolizes the fact Jesus had come to die for us.
There’s much to remark about the significance of these gifts, and they play an important role in the story of Jesus’ birth. But even more important than the Magi’s presents were the Magi’s presence to begin with.
To understand why it was such a big deal these men came to visit Jesus, you should consider who was not at Jesus’ birth. The chief priests and teachers of the law were nowhere to be found, and later they would be the ones who conflicted with and opposed Jesus and His teachings. These were the Pharisees and Sadducees.
According to a commentary by Tony Evans, “the Pharisees were ritualistic and legalistic, and Sadducees were compromisers and political opportunists.” The only thing they had in common was their opposition of Jesus. Since they knew the scriptures, the Pharisees and Sadducees alike knew where and when to look for their Messiah, but when it came to Jesus, they didn’t look at all!
Biblical commentator Tony Evans added, “they didn’t act on what they studied.” But what about us? Does what we say and read actually play out in our life? This is one question to ask ourselves when we come across the story of Jesus’ birth.
What about the Wise Men, then? Magi were Zoroastrian worshippers, magicians, astrologers – people that looked at the stars to figure out what’s now and what’s in the future. They came from Persia or beyond—the distance from Nashville to Phoenix, 1600 miles! Remember, there were no cars back then! These men likely rode on camel back. This was no simple, comfortable endeavor! It was a real sacrifice for these foreign Pagans.
Matthew 2:1 reads, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem and Judea, during the time of King Herod Magi from the East came to Jerusalem.” Jesus’ birth posed a real threat to King Herod’s power, and he took threats to his power very seriously to say the least. Herod was a paranoid man, and he killed his own family members over the throne! He called together the chief priests and teachers of the law and asked where Jesus would be born. He chose to send the Magi to find Jesus and report back to him.
But Herod couldn’t have expected this: when the Magi saw the star, they were overjoyed. And when they arrived where the star led them, they saw a child and His mother and bowed down to worship. They were warned in a dream by an angel not to return to Herod and returned on a different route than they came.
So, what can we take from the fact the Wise Men journeyed so far to worship Jesus? God is for all people. Even the Wise Men from afar. There are no Jews nor gentiles in Jesus. He’s for both the poor shepherds and rich wise men from afar. He’s for men and women. He’s for anyone willing to come to Him!
When this season is over will you be closer to Jesus than when you started? What direction are you headed?
Friend and mentor of Nic, Susan Foster, said, “you start out as you intend to go.” Are the ways you are spending your time, resources, and energy taking you into the direction of Jesus? And what do you long for the most? What is the subject of your focus and your attention?
Let’s try to be like the Wise Men, who said, “We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). The song goes “Oh come let us adore Him,” not “Let’s take care of all these other things first and then we’ll pay Jesus some attention!” The story of the Wise Men shows us the adoration and focus we should have on Jesus – they came quickly, to see Jesus at the very beginning of His time on Earth.
Notice the parallels in these verses:
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him.” Matthew 2:11
“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Philippians 2:10
The first to do what everyone will do, were the Magi. Who could have predicted that?
