The Magi: We Have Come To Worship Him (Matthew 2:1-12)

Where: College Baptist Church

When: December 23, 2001

Why: To show that joyful and humble worship is the appropriate response to the birth of Christ.

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Scripture reading

Matthew 2:1-12. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Introduction

The pilgrimage of the Magi to the Christ child. Such a stir they must have caused in Jerusalem. Everyone seemed to be talking. People may have been asking "Where were they from? Why did they come?"

They came to worship. They did so in joyful obedience, honoring a child's authority as King, demonstrating their worship through humility and sacrificial gift-giving.

For the Christian, the advent of Jesus Christ invokes worship which ascribes to Him His rightful place of authority in our lives, demonstrated by joyful obedience, humble adoration, and sacrificial giving.

Matthew reveals five insightful truths regarding worshipping the Christ-child which draw us into God-glorifying worship this fourth Sunday of Advent.

Jesus is the Messiah and should be worshipped as King

The first insightful truth that Matthew reveals is that Jesus is the Messiah and should be worshipped as King.

Matthew writes his gospel with the Jews in mind, to show them that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the long awaited King of the Jews who would reign on David's throne forever. Over and over he uses the word "fulfilled" to show that the Old Testament prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus is frequently referred to as "King" in Matthew's gospel and the word "kingdom" is used fifty times. The phrase "kingdom of God" is used thirty times.

In the first chapter of the gospel, Matthew goes to great lengths to show that Jesus is a direct descendent of Abraham and David to Joseph. In 1:17 he writes, Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. In so doing, he shows that Jesus was a shoot from the root of Jesse, in the house of David, fullfilling the Messianic prophesy of Isaiah 11:1-A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. ² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord-³ and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

Matthew goes on to relate how Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream, explaining to him that his "Son," to be named Jesus (Jehovah is salvation), would save His people from their sins. He also showed that Jesus would have virgin birth by Mary-a direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophesy of Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you  a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew then gives the fascinating account of the visit of the Magi, travelers from a distant land in the East, whom we often call the "wise men." The Magi were probably astronomers and astrologers from Persia and Babylon region. They were the "wise men" of Daniel's time whom Nebuchadnezzar had called on for the interpretation of his dreams. They were very influential in philosophy, in education, and in civil law. Some speculate that they had an understanding of Jewish law and prophesies through their relationship with Daniel and through Esther's reign.

The Magi arrive in Jerusalem revealing the first insightful truth we want to consider today. 2:1, 2 reads, After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

They were looking for the king of the Jews and they wanted to worship Him. In this unit of Scripture, we see the desire and action of the Magi toward the advent of Jesus. They initially declare their intentions to worship Him in verse 2. In verse 11 having finally arrived at Joseph and Mary's home, they humbly bow down and worship, presenting Him with treasures fit for a king.

It is more than finding a newborn king than was at stake here. It was understood, even by King Herod, that the One for whom they were looking was the long-awaited, much anticipated Messiah. Herod had been appointed king of Jews by the Roman Senate. (He wasn't even a Jew; he was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau.) But this was One with the highest authority-the fulfillment of the prophesies of the Most High God, Jehovah Himself.

Herod calls the people who would know about these things, the ones whom we would expect to have the highest degree of insight and anticipation of the coming of the Messiah-the chief priests and the scribes. He asks them where the Messiah will be born.

They know. They know the Bible. "Why that Micah 5:2!" they respond. ⁵ "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: ⁶ "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" They answered the where. But the who? That's there too religious leaders. Micah also said in 5:2 that this was the One whose origins are from of old, from the days of eternity. In 5:4 Micah continues to prophesy, ⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

This is the reason why they worship. Jesus is the Messiah, the Eternal One, the very Son of God, One with the Father. John put it this way in his gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the King. He is the eternal One. He is the Son of God. The Magi came to worship Him.

God the Father's purpose is for Jesus to be worshipped by all nations, not just the Jews.

The second truth that Matthew reveals is that Jesus is to be worshipped by all nations, not just the Jews.

Isn't it interesting that after Matthew offers a lengthy genealogy of the Davidic royal bloodline leading to Jesus, and a short account of the birth of Jesus, he moves into a more lengthy description of foreign astronomers coming to worship the Christ? It is particularly interesting in the light of the fact that Matthew's gospel seems to be written primarily for Jews-in contrast to Luke's gospel addressed to a gentile Roman official. Whereas Luke shares with us how the angels came to the shepherds-a heavenly host of them no less-and the shepherds hurry to worship the revealed Messiah, Matthew goes directly to the Magi-representatives of a foreign nation. Probably from Babylon. Unclean. Pagan. With a yet incomplete understanding of the truth. Yet with more insight than those to whom the Messiah was promised.

Isn't it interesting that Matthew ends his gospel with the same emphasis: ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in ^a the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).

Christ is for the nations. God the Father's purpose is for Jesus to be worshipped by all the nations, not just the Jews. Matthew adds yet another evidence of the Messianic Kingship of Jesus Christ for Isaiah the prophet also declared nearly 700 years earlier, ³ Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:3).

The Messiah, the Promise-Fulfiller, the Eternal One, the Child, the King is for all the nations, not just Israel. For us too, not just the Jews.

God the Father exerts omnipotent and universal influence to promote the worship of His Son, Jesus

A third insightful truth that Matthew reveals is that God the Father exerts omnipotent and universal influence to promote the worship of His Son, Jesus.

We are told that the Magi saw a star in the East. The star revealed the King had been born. So they came to Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people. They came to worship Him.

We are curious about this phenomenon, aren't we? What was the star? What did it look like? Is it some natural occurrence with some scientific way to explain it? Many have tried. An alignment of the planets, perhaps. A comet maybe.

We do not know how. We do know what. God exerted His omnipotent influence and universal power to bring people to worship His Son. We don't need to get distracted with how He did it. He has done these kinds of things before displaying His glorious power. The Red Sea splits. Manna falls from heaven. The Jordan river stops flowing. A man lives in the belly of a great fish for three days. The Bible is full of demonstrations of God's glorious, omnipotent power and universal influence on the behalf of His people to fulfill His purposes.

And yet again, He orders His creation, He places a sign in the heavenlies, He exerts indefinable great power and influence-why? To bring people to worship a His Son. How did the star move before them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem? How did it move and stop over the house where Joseph and Mary and Jesus were now lived? Was it the Shekinah glory of God of old leading them as He had led the children of Israel in the desert? We cannot be certain. But we do know the God the Father wanted to bring them to Jesus to worship Him.

Jesus' birth evokes different responses from different people

Matthew's account also reveals to us that Jesus' evokes different responses from different people.

The first response Matthew reveals is that of the priests and the Scribes. Surprisingly, they are indifferent about Jesus. We aren't sure why, but even though they had knowledge of where Jesus was and who He was, they did not seek Him out to worship Him. Was if fear of Herod? Was it their preconceptions about how a king would be born? Was it their prejudice against these foreigners who are seeking Him? Was it their desire to preserve the status quo?

We do not know. But we see their indifference. They do not seek to worship Him.

It is tragic that though Jesus is the Messiah, the King, the Eternal One, though God the Father exerts indefinable power to bring us to Him, still many are indifferent to Him. And often it is those with the most knowledge of Him. By God's grace, we will not be this kind of people.

Matthew reveals a second response to Jesus through Herod. Herod is antagonistic toward Jesus.

Jesus is a threat to Herod. Jesus is an obstacle to get out of the way. Jesus threatens Herod's selfish agenda.

Herod feigns devotion to Jesus. "Please. Go find Him. Then come back and tell me where He is so I can worship Him too." But murder is in his heart. And when the Magi do not come back, Herod's purpose is revealed. He savagely murders all the boy children two years old and younger in Bethlehem.

We sorrow for those who are threatened by Christ. We grieve for those who are antagonistic toward Christ. We pray for those who forcefully reject Him to pursue their own agenda. We long for the Father to change their hearts that they may worship Him too.

Thank God for the Magi. They are neither indifferent or hostile. They joyfully and reverently worship Christ.

With the Magi, may joyful, wholehearted, humble, reverent worship be our vision, our purpose, our plan, and our priority. "We have come to worship Him."

Jesus receives worship which joyfully ascribes to Him honor and authority through humble obedience and sacrificial giving.

Jesus receives worship which joyfully ascribes to Him honor and authority through humble obedience and sacrificial giving.

When the Magi asked "Where is the King of the Jews?" they ascribed honor and authority to Him.

When the Magi saw the star and heard God's call to come and worship, they obeyed.

When the star pointed the way to Jesus, they were filled with great joy. Worship is a joyful thing.

When the Magi arrived at the place where Jesus was staying, they bowed to the Child Messiah, the King of Kings. They bowed low and worshipped. You are high; I am low. Their humility exalts His royalty. Worship is done in humility.

When the Magi worshipped, they sacrificially gave treasures dear to them. Worshipful, sacrificial giving ascribes worth to the One worshipped.

Did the Lord of the universe need the gifts brought to Him? No, He needs nothing. Sacrificial giving is the giving of treasure dear to our hearts. It is the demonstration of the worth we ascribe to the One we worship.

The Magi brought treasures fit for a king, treasures they counted dear. In so doing they ascribed to the One they worshipped the high value represented in their treasures. They joyfully declared the worthiness of the One to whom they bowed and to whom they gave gifts.

We can speculate about the symbolism in the gifts-and find inspiration in its meaning. And we can contemplate the practicality of the gifts, especially considering this poor, young family's financial needs as they immediately have to flee to Egypt. But this morning, we simply want to worship. We want to join the Magi in treasuring the One to whom we bow.

Conclusion

For the Christian, the advent of Jesus Christ invokes worship which ascribes to Him His rightful place of authority in our lives, demonstrated by joyful obedience, humble adoration, and sacrificial giving.

What is the greatest treasure we can give as we join the Magi in worship? It is not gold, nor incense, nor frankincense, though these certainly ascribe great worth to our King. The greatest treasure we can give is ourselves, for as humans we treasures ourselves, our lives above all else.

Perhaps the spirit of Christian Christmas worship is clearly captured by Paul in Romans 12:1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

Our spiritual act of worship. Giving ourselves. Our bodies. Our resources. Our lives to the Lord.

We join the Magi this morning. The nations of the earth coming to worship the King. Come and worship. We worship Him as we sing. We bow in humble, joyful surrender. We will worship Him as we joyfully gather for the Christmas Eve service. We will celebrate Him as we generously give gifts in our circle of family and friends. We reject indifference and antagonism toward Him. With humble joy we ascribe honor and authority to Him.

We have come to worship Him.

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