Sermon Notes
Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi
Six Movements/Scenes
1. Pilgrimage
2. Prophecy
3. Paranoia
4. Praise
5. Presents
6. Protection
Pilgrimage
Matthew 2:1-2-- Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Numbers 24:17-- I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
"There had spread over all the Orient an old and established belief, that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judea to rule the world." -Suetonius
“There was a firm persuasion that at this very time the east was to grow powerful and rulers coming from Judea were to acquire a universal empire.” -Tacitus
“There was a general expectation in the world at that time of an imminent messianic announcement. This is found in the writings of Josephus, the writings of wise men in the Middle East and in Greece and in the writings of Roman historians. It is reflected in the writings of Virgil, the Roman poet, in what is known as the Messianic Eclogue, where he even hailed Augustus the Roman Emperor as the savior of the world. At the time Jesus Christ was born there was a general expectation that an act of God to bring a person into the world who would deliver man from his bondage and limitations.” -Myron Augsburger
Prophecy
Matthew 2:3-6-- 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Micah 5:2-- But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
2 Samuel 5:2-- “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’”
Matthew has added ‘by no means’ which formally contradicts Mic. 5:2, actually it highlights the greatness that is the true meaning of the passage. Matthew is interpreting the text to emphasize that the insignificant village of Bethlehem has become truly great because the Messiah was born there. -Grant Osborne
Paranoia
Matthew 2:7-8-- 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
Praise
Matthew 2:9-11a-- 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him…
Presents
Matthew 2:11b--Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 12:42b--“…behold something greater than Solomon is here.”
Psalm 72:8-11-- 8:May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! 9 May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume, breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. (We Three Kings)
Protection
Matthew 2:12-- 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Three Lessons:
1. God uses all kinds of things, to draw all kinds of people to himself.
Matthew 8:11-- I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)
2. There has always been a conflict between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth, but in the end God’s kingdom always wins.
Psalm 2:1-2,4-- Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one…4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. (NLT)
3. There is only one proper response to King Jesus and that is, submissive, joyful worship.
"
There are two ways to deal with Jesus: the way of Herod, and the way of the wise men. The way of Herod is to get rid of Jesus…But the Herod way of dealing with Jesus has never worked and will never work. You cannot get rid of Jesus…Instead, deal with Jesus the way the wise men did. “Going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). Falling down signifies submission, and worship signifies treasuring. Submit to Jesus as your supreme King. Worship Jesus as your supreme Treasure." -John Piper
