We have a tendency to romanticize Bible stories. As each unfolds in our mind, they do so on a big screen with an epic soundtrack and dynamic visual effects. We often miss that each one took place on an average day, in a regular neighborhood, and in the lives of common people, just like you and me.
But they were common people with remarkable qualities. And it was those remarkable qualities that positioned those common people to experience God giving birth to the miraculous in their lives! This series is to draw your attention to those common people, to see the us in them, and do lean into their remarkable qualities so that His eternal purposes can come to life in our lives.
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 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, 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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘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.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
A Few “Myths” In Our Manger Scenes:
The word for wise men is MAGI. The word describes people with an unusual capacity of understanding based on astronomy, science, alchemy and spirituality functioning in the service of the King. These men were from the region of Babylon, part of ancient Mesopotamia, modern-day city of Baghdad in Iraq. This was historically a breeding ground for such individuals as seen in the Biblical narratives of individuals including the prophet Balaam and the likes of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were in service to the king and served as liaisons to the surrounding nations.
There were likely not three men. There were at least two because “MAGI” is plural. The idea of three MAGI is likely based on the three gifts given, but there was most likely a small caravan of MAGI and their team.
The wise men did not arrive at the stable. They did not greet Jesus while He was lying in the manger. Realistically, Jesus was two years old and was visited by the MAGI while living in a house (Matthew 2:11). That means that the depiction of MAGI standing in the stable, with angels, with shepherds or with barn animals is inaccurate.
The depiction of their journey being across grassy hills and sloping meadows under a bright star is incorrect. The MAGI crossed some of the most extreme desert areas and conditions on the planet, mountains, cliffs and extreme freezing temperatures.
While they saw the star initially, it disappeared. As a result, they headed to Jerusalem where Herod, the current king resided. While they knew what the star represented, they did not know the prophecies stating that the Messiahs’ birthplace would be in Bethlehem. After dialoguing with Herod in Jerusalem, the made their way toward Bethlehem, and in the process, the star reappeared
Matthew 2:9 (ESV) 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.
The star that appeared in Matthew 2:9 was clearly not an astronomical star. Stars don’t rise in the west, nor do they hover in the earth’s atmosphere and come to rest over residences. It was likely a supernatural sign they experienced, much like the Israelites experienced with the pillar and cloud while travelling through the wilderness.
Common People With Remarkable Qualities:
The Wise Men Continually Positioned Themselves To Hear From Heaven.
They were not necessarily godly men, but they WERE listening to Heaven.
They knew about a significant star that was to appear when the Messiah was born.
They were knew scripture because they knew the significance of the star: Matthew 2:2 (ESV) 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.”
How did they know about the star?
Balaam contracted by Balak, king of Moab from the region of Babylon to curse the Israelites as they travelled through to the Promised Land.
Balaam was a wise man based in Pethor near the Euphrates and close to Babylon.
Balaam was warned by God not to curse Israel, and instead blessed them three times: Numbers 24:17 (ESV) 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.
Balaam was likely of the ranks of wise men from that region.
Their understanding of the coming Messiah would have been further informed by Daniel’s oversight and teaching. Daniel, after being deported to the same region, and after being thrown into the lions den, rose to become chief of the wise men, shaping their teaching and instruction.
Daniel 9:25–26 (ESV) Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem TO THE COMING OF AN ANOINTED ONE, A PRINCE, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
The star stirred something, but they leaned in further, and further, and further. They researched, the gathered a team, they journeyed to Jerusalem. They talked to Herod. One step led to the next and the next.
Hearing God’s voice becomes easier and easier as you intentionally lean in to Him.
Matthew 2:10 (ESV) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) … and that he rewards those who seek him.
2020 will be a year of pressing in, and finding the better than you can imagine, the unexpected, the miraculous!
The Wise Men Were Guided By Strong Conviction, The Result Of A God-Breathed Vision.
The Wise Men heard something from heaven and believed it.
They were not satisfied to have the head knowledge, they wanted to experience it first-hand.
There were committed to experiencing it, regardless of cost.
it cost considerable energy: approximately 732 miles; 239 walking hours; 30 travel days of 8 hours a day.
it cost considerable time: preparations beforehand, the time gone.
it cost considerable resources: the cost of a caravan over that period
too often we believe things about God that don’t actually affect how we act.
KNOWLEDGE only needs information but VISION is impartation! Impartation happens as you get close enough for something to become a part of who you are.
The Wise Men didn’t just hear about heaven, they leaned in far enough that heaven began to rub off on them
The wise men got a dose of VISION.
VISION develops conviction that cannot be deterred by things like distraction, cost or even opposition!
The Wise Men Were “Worshippers”
worship is so much more than what we during the music on a Sunday, but it is a part of it. Are you guilty of being a worshipper???
Matthew 2:11 (ESV) And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
fall down – prostrate
worshipped – to express by attitude and action ones allegiance to and regard for deity.
gave fits of gold, frankincense and myrrh – great expense!
In their case, Jesus did them no miracle, had answered no prayer, had healed no disease, had saved them from no dire situation, had not forgiven a single sin.
In their case there was no Holy Spirit for them to have a sense of His presence like we do
And yet, they worshipped Him for who he was ALONE! and it was extravagant!
Unlike them, we not only know who He is, but we’ve experienced what He’s done!
“RESERVED” worship runs the risk of INNOCULATION instead of the INFECTION of heaven.
Passive worship goes just far enough to satisfy the internal itch and external expectations. It never goes far enough to be the appropriate response that unlocks all that heaven has!
I want to worship in a way that is an appropriate response: physical, audible, visible, emotional, energetic, faith filled, cost me something, expenseive
they gave gold, frankincense, myrrh.
gold: customary for royal visits.
Sheba visited king Solomon = 120 talents, 7936 lbs or $186,273,792
How much gold would the wise men have brought Jesus?
Jeremiah 33:2–3 (The Message) “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’