Truly Wise Men 12/25/22

Series: God Among Us

Truly Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-2

Christians celebrate Christmas because at Jesus’ birth heaven intersects with earth and God inhabits human form.     

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 

We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son

 from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Matthew 2:1-12

“Wise Men” is from the Greek word, “magoi,” which is derived from a Persian word for priests.

This group is probably those King Darius placed under Daniel’s authority.                                                   Daniel 2:48

What was “his star in the East?”

1.  Halley’s comet

2.  a supernova

3.  a conjunction of planets

4.  a supernatural light

It is probable Daniel and other faithful exiles had shared the Jewish expectation of the Messiah while in Persia. 

Gifts for a King

·      Gold acknowledges His rule.

·      Frankincense represents His deity.

·      Myrrh pictures His suffering and death.

We Three Kings

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh.

Prayer & praising, all men raising. Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom,

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice,

Alleluia, Alleluia Sound thru the earth and skies.

Today’s Takeaways

God is always at work around us; and like the people of Jesus’ day, we often fail to notice.

If the wise men can find Jesus, then so can you.

If God can reach pagan astrologers through a star, He can reach people through our telling the story.

If the wise men offered Jesus gifts fit for a king, then so should we.