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Matthew 2: Visit of the Magi

Matthew 2: 1-12

Pastor James Harleman 57mn:34sec Viewed 1,898 times in over 2 years

Jesus in born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem, but except for a couple local shepherds none of God’s people are even aware that God is right in their midst. It’s extraordinary and peculiar from our perspective that some of the first people God draws to worship Him are pagan mystics who no one would recognize as “God’s people”. In fact, God’s people seem irritated that these heathen magi recognized the Messiah’s coming while they apparently missed it. One of them is so comfortable with the status quo that he doesn’t even WANT the promised Savior to come; he doesn’t want God to mess up his comfortable little niche, “his” kingdom. In this narrative we see that people who profess Christ are often ignorant of God’s presence, or don’t want his imminence in their life, and God calls the least likely people to come and offer their time and treasures.

Matthew 2:1-12

2:1 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.” 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.’”

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.” 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. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotation information.

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