Sermon Central
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Wise Men: Portrait Of A Heart Seeking God Series
Contributed by John Raulerson on Dec 13, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: The Wise Men went through great lengths in their search for the newborn King.
Series: Characters at the Cradle
THE WISE MEN: Portrait of a Heart Seeking God
Who were these wise men. The actual word translated is the word, "magi". The Magi were a special cast of priests in Persia and in Babylon. These were men of high stature and respect.
I. THEY WERE PREPARED IN THEIR SEARCH
II. THEY WERE DILIGENT IN THEIR SEARCH (2:1b)
...there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
I hate to ride 500 miles in a car. Can you imagine riding 500-1000 miles on the back of a camel?
Willing to do whatever it took
Willing to take however long
III. THEY WERE SPECIFIC IN THEIR SEARCH (2:2)
..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..
IV. THEY WERE SINCERE IN THEIR SEARCH (2:3-8)
Many seek Jesus for all the wrong reasons
Some seek him as a ...
-good luck charm
-financial investment
-safety blanket (help protect them from danger)
-fire insurance
-status symbol
Herod sought Jesus to destroy due to jealousy
V. THEY WERE DIRECTED IN THEIR SEARCH (2:9)
Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
VI. THEY WERE HUMBLE IN THEIR SEARCH (2:11)
These men held high positions in their society. They were considered the authorities in philosophy and religion. They obviously were quite wealthy. But this did not keep them from bowing down and worshiping the Christ-child.
VII. THEY WERE BLESSED IN THEIR SEARCH
His star. All attempts to explain the star as a natural phenomenon are inadequate to account for its leading the Magi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then standing over the house. Rather, it was a special manifestation used of God both when it first appeared to indicate the fact of Christ’s birth, and when it reappeared over Jerusalem to guide the Magi to the place. Since a direct revelation to the Magi is recorded (v. 12), there is nothing improbable in assuming a direct revelation at the beginning to impart the significance of the star
(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press)
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were thought by ancient commentators to show recognition of Jesus as King, Son of God, and one destined to die, respectively
(from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press)
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, was a small town about six miles south of Jerusalem.
(from Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Num 24:17
17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
KJV
[Frankincense] Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark, and suffering the gum to flow out. It is highly odoriferous or fragrant when burned, and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God.
(from Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
[Myrrh] This was also a production of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. The name denotes bitterness, and was given to it on account of its great bitterness. It was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it had the property of preserving dead bodies from putrefaction.
(from Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
