This year for Advent and Christmas, I am looking at the people around the birth of Jesus and examining their faith. Last week it was Joseph; today, The Wise Men. This is all from Matthew 2.
1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.When Jesus was born in Bethlehem - I believe most people say this event was approximately two years after his birth.
there came wise men from the east - funny how we want to automatically add "three". There could have been three, but to be honest, Matthew doesn’t say how many wise men came.
Who were these ‘wise men’? The word is μαγοι which we transliterate magi. This was the name given by the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, soothsayers, sorcerers.
"The Jews believed that there were prophets in the kingdoms of Saba and Arabia who were of the posterity of Abraham by Keturah; and that they taught in the name of God, what they had received in tradition from the mouth of Abraham. These, knowing the promise of the Messiah, were now, probably, like other believing Jews, waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Adam Clarke)
This helps! They were waiting for and anticipating the coming of Christ. How did the wise men or magi know to expect Christ? I’m persuaded they knew the ancient prophecy in Numbers 24:17 (LXX)
I will point to him, but not now; I bless him, but he draws not near: a star shall rise out of Jacob, a man shall spring out of Israel; and shall crush the princes of Moab, and shall spoil all the sons of Seth.
But to be honest, Scripture is silent on this – it doesn’t explain how they knew to expect Christ. I conclude it doesn’t matter how they knew Christ was coming and would be announced by a star, the facts are: they did know and when they saw the star they immediately set off to find and worship him. They believed he was coming, they believed the star announced he had just been born, and as a direct result of this belief they came to Jerusalem. They had faith to seek Christ.
Herod called the chief priests and scribes and asked where Christ should be born. They had a ready answer, Bethlehem of Judea. Actually their answer was a quote of Micah 5:2. It is interesting that their quote left out the last line of Micah 5:2, and his goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity. This says quite a lot about just who Messiah is.
Who were these ‘wise men’? The word is μαγοι which we transliterate magi. This was the name given by the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, soothsayers, sorcerers.
"The Jews believed that there were prophets in the kingdoms of Saba and Arabia who were of the posterity of Abraham by Keturah; and that they taught in the name of God, what they had received in tradition from the mouth of Abraham. These, knowing the promise of the Messiah, were now, probably, like other believing Jews, waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Adam Clarke)
This helps! They were waiting for and anticipating the coming of Christ. How did the wise men or magi know to expect Christ? I’m persuaded they knew the ancient prophecy in Numbers 24:17 (LXX)
I will point to him, but not now; I bless him, but he draws not near: a star shall rise out of Jacob, a man shall spring out of Israel; and shall crush the princes of Moab, and shall spoil all the sons of Seth.
But to be honest, Scripture is silent on this – it doesn’t explain how they knew to expect Christ. I conclude it doesn’t matter how they knew Christ was coming and would be announced by a star, the facts are: they did know and when they saw the star they immediately set off to find and worship him. They believed he was coming, they believed the star announced he had just been born, and as a direct result of this belief they came to Jerusalem. They had faith to seek Christ.
3 When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the
chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where
Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the
land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee
shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
When Herod heard of the arrival and question of the wise men he was troubled: disturbed, distressed, and probably afraid. I mean, if the King of the Jews has been born he is on his way out. Isn’t it interesting how people react to Jesus? Salvation has come and all he can think about is how he will lose his position and power.
I get why Herod is troubled, but why all Jerusalem with him? It is the same result but for different reasons. Herod was disturbed, disquieted, filled with dread, but I believe all Jerusalem was full of inward commotion so that they lost all calmness of mind – “What is this? Messiah has been born? Has this really happened? What will this mean? What’s going to happen?” It is one thing to say you want the Messiah to come, it is another thing to be ready for him. This explains why John’s message was Repent.
7-8 Then Herod, when
he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the
star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring
me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
Herod told them where the Messiah was to be born, so they pressed on.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
Herod told them where the Messiah was to be born, so they pressed on.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy – “Moreover, the star, when it stood over the
young Child, stayed its course again: which thing itself also was of a greater
power than belongs to a star, now to hide itself, now to appear, and having
appeared to stand still. Hence they too received an increase of faith. For this
cause they rejoiced also, that they had found what they were seeking; so great
a longing had they for Christ. For first it came and stood over His very head,
showing that what is born is Divine; next standing there, it leads them to worship
Him; being not simply barbarians, but the wiser sort among them.” (Chrysostom)
I love this! They were being divinely guided in their journey, they knew it, and rejoiced with exceeding great joy! They had the joy of the Lord before they had even met him!
We have found the Christ who’s all in all;
He is everything to us;
O how blest upon His name to call,
How divine, how glorious!
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
And the half has never yet been told!
(Barney Elliott Warren, 1900; you can hear it here being sung in a Baptist church)
And when they were come into the house, they fell down, and worshipped him – this was no intellectual or academic journey, they were seeking the King with the full intention of worshipping him. Hallelujah! They had faith to worship.
What is the significance of their gifts
of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Adrian Rogers, in his sermon, The Gifts Of The Wise Men, said:
Gold -- His Sovereign
Dominion
Frankincense -- His
Sinless Deity
Myrrh -- His Sacrificial
Death
Sounds good to me!
They also had faith to obey. The wise men had a vibrant faith!
What does this mean for me? Faith in Christ is not merely knowing the right things about Christ, it is a spirited and vigorous conviction and trust that moves me to seek Him, to worship Him, and to obey Him.
The wise men teach us that Jesus is Christ. As Christ he is King. And as King he should be worshipped!
This also shows us a little about worship. Worship means to do obeisance to, that is to bend the knee, bow the head, fall down before. In so doing you acknowledge Him to be worthy, glorious, powerful. This is the goal of every worship service: to come to the place where we bow before Him.
At one point in a liturgical service you come to the Sursum Corda (below in bold), which dates back at least to the third century:
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
This is where we want to be, “Lord, I lift up my heart to You.” Worship can be expressed in music, prayer, lifting our hands, bending the knee, but it all begins in the heart. I want to join the wise men and worship Christ the King!
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
(Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade, 1751; translated into English as O Come, All Ye Faithful by Frederick Oakeley, 1841)
What does this mean for me? Faith in Christ is not merely knowing the right things about Christ, it is a spirited and vigorous conviction and trust that moves me to seek Him, to worship Him, and to obey Him.
The wise men teach us that Jesus is Christ. As Christ he is King. And as King he should be worshipped!
This also shows us a little about worship. Worship means to do obeisance to, that is to bend the knee, bow the head, fall down before. In so doing you acknowledge Him to be worthy, glorious, powerful. This is the goal of every worship service: to come to the place where we bow before Him.
At one point in a liturgical service you come to the Sursum Corda (below in bold), which dates back at least to the third century:
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
This is where we want to be, “Lord, I lift up my heart to You.” Worship can be expressed in music, prayer, lifting our hands, bending the knee, but it all begins in the heart. I want to join the wise men and worship Christ the King!
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ the Lord
(Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade, 1751; translated into English as O Come, All Ye Faithful by Frederick Oakeley, 1841)
NEXT: The Holy Innocents
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