The Wise Men

The Wise Men (Or Magi)

Matthew 2:1-12KJV

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Can you imagine the surprise they must have felt? They were Magi, astrologers, those who looked for signs and symbols in the heavens. They were from Persia or Mesopotamia, or some land in the east. When they came to Jerusalem they probably expected the whole city to be filled with excitement at the coming of the King! But what did they find? A power hungry leader scared there was someone out there going to take his throne!

Why weren’t the Jews prepared for the Messiah? Why weren’t they looking, expecting, watching for His coming? Are we watching for His return? Has it been prophesied?

1. Verse 1-3 Jesus was born! Who was caring enough to be at his birth? Who should have been? Why weren’t they?
1. Why wasn’t Jerusalem full of excitement before the Magi arrived?

If you go to a nation looking for a King that was born where would you go? The biggest city the capital of that nation! The three wise men were gentiles and they expected that Jerusalem the capital city was the best place to look for a King when they came to Herod

1. Who ought to have been there when He was born?

He was and is the King of all Kings so the national leader should have been there at his birth, He was and is the Messiah the one all Israel had hoped for so the chief priests should have been there.

1. What was Herod’s reaction when asked? Verse 3 He was troubled! He then asked the Chief Priests was this really the time! #. Did the priests and scribes and Pharisees know? How?
2. Yes!!!!! They knew this was the time! Matthew 2:5-6KJV

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

1. Then Herod told the wise men to “search Him out” that he may go and do homage to the child but is that what he was planning, no he wanted to slit the child’s’ throat and remain king! Israel or Judea wasn’t watching at all!
2. Where there prophecies? Did they know where and when Jesus would be born? Did they have even a guess, yes!

Micah 5:2KJV

2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

They even had a time frame!

Daniel 9:24KJV

24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Read what is in Daniel yourself but here is a quick explanation of the “weeks” a week is a week of years 7 years Artaxerxes in 445 b.c. to restore Jerusalem. Chronologically, they are divided as:

Seven sevens 49 years—445 to 396 b.c

Sixty-two sevens 434 years—396 b.c. to a.d. 32 (From the dedication of the second temple to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ)[1]

1. Why weren’t the Jews watching? Why aren’t we now? Matthew 13:15KJV

15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Simeon and Anna were there in the Temple seeking Him expecting Him and they saw him!

Luke 2:25KJV

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 

1. Do we know He is coming back? Has it been prophesied? Are you watching?
1. Last Chapter in Revelation you can hear it from the Lord “Lo I come quickly”  

Revelation 22:12-13KJV

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

1. It is prophesied and we have heard sermons on the end times many times but do we watch?

Luke 21:20-21KJV

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

2 Timothy 3:1KJV

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

1 Thessalonians 4:16KJV

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1. Why aren’t we watching for His return? Are You?

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[1]Spirit filled life study Bible. 1997, c1991 (electronic ed.) (Da 9:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.