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Matthew 2:1-12 Key Verse: 2:2 THE MAGI WORSHIP KING JESUS “...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.’” In today's passage, some unknown noble men called Magi come to worship the baby Jesus. Among the gospel writers, only Matthew tells this story. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the King. The word 'king' is repeated many times in Matthew Gospel. Yes, Jesus is our king. He is worthy of our praise and worship. He is worthy of praise and worship by all people all around the world. Jesus is Immanuel–God with us. Our Creator God in the Most High Place came down to us in great humiliation and self-resignation to dwell among us. How glorious! How amazing! What a beautiful and romantic story! Immanuel Jesus is worthy of our joyful shouts of praise and songs of thanksgiving. Through today's passage, let's learn how the Magi worshipped baby Jesus. Let's learn about Jesus, our king and our good shepherd. Let's learn how we can live a life of super-joy and super-happiness, which no one can take away from our hearts. Look at verse 1. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem....” When Jesus was born, King Herod ruled Israel. He was a notorious tyrant like Hitler. He was so ambitious for power. For grabbing political power, he had to be cruel, mean, wily, and deceitful. To keep his position as king, he did everything, even killed his two children, wife, and lots of people. The time of King Herod's rule was so dark, hopeless, and desperate. There seemed to be no hope in that generation. It seemed that God had given up his people. But God began to work in the darkest time. God sent his one and only son, Jesus. Jesus was born in the form of a little baby. He came into the world, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. This was the greatest event in Israel’s history, and the history of mankind. But His birth was so quiet that nobody noticed our King's birth. Only a few shepherds came to the stable for celebration where the baby was laid after hearing about Messiah's birth from the angel. And there were another group of visitors from far, far-away eastern country--the Magi. Who were the Magi? They have certainly become famous as important figures in the Christmas story. For the last 2,000 years, they have been mentioned in many Christmas messages and dramas throughout the world. They appear in the epic movie “Ben-Hur.” History study tells us that the Magi came from ancient Persia or Babylon. They were known to be astrologers and scholars. They were experts at astronomy, philosophy, medicine, and natural science and so on. They must have been in high rank with prestige and dignity. They must have been looking up at stars in the sky to prophesy and interpret the signs of the heaven. They believed in spiritual revelation as well as scientific reason as a basis for truth. They were advisers to kings and highly respected noblemen in society. Why did they come to Jerusalem? Look at verse 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. What relation did they have with the king of the Jews? How did they know about him? They saw his star in the east. They studied the stars. They believed that the stars foretold man’s destiny, and special stars signaled the birth of great men. One night, as they surveyed the sky, they saw a great star. They knew that it signaled something special and began to research its meaning. They must have heard about the legend about the Messiah's star from the Jews who firmly believed and patiently hoped for their Savior, and at the same time, the Savior for the whole world. They might have known Numbers 24:17, spoken centuries earlier in the Bible, which says, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” The Magi realized that the star signaled the birth of the king of the Jews. They realized that this king of the Jews was not just another political king, but the Savior promised by God. They were old scholars thirsty for the truth. The Magi had mastered various fields of study. The more they studied stars, the more evident it was that the Savior was desperately needed for human beings. They thought and thought about the great star. They realized that without the Savior, humans couldn't help wandering and wandering not knowing clear life direction and purpose. They wanted to meet the truth, the Savior of the world. They were truth seekers who wanted not only to know the truth, but to follow the truth. When they found that the king of the Jews had been born, they made a long journey to Jerusalem to find him. For this, they had to leave their family behind. To find the truth, they had to give up their job security. To meet the Messiah, they had to deny worldly petty desires. To worship the Son of God, they wanted to give the rest of their lives to the Master of the Universe. They just wanted to worship him, without seeking their self desire. During their journey, they might have faced lots of dangers, snares and troubles. But they made their journey singing songs. "We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse so far Field and fountain, moor and mountain Following yonder star. Oh, star of wonder, star of night Star of royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light." Here, we can learn the Magi's desire for truth. These days are days of 'pragmatism.' These days pragmatic ways are valued more than any other things. Politicians usually follow these social trends to have power. Pragmatism sounds nice. Pragmatism is related to 'flexibility.' Flexible ways of thinking are favored by most people for successful life. This might make sense. But as we see more closely, it is the value system focused on money. People like money very much. To make lots of money, they turn their colors and try to adapt themselves to any situations easily. On the other hand, they do not have interest in truth. When I was in university, UBF co-workers did fishing, using the very term 'truth' : "Do you want to seek truth?" "Would you like to find truth through the Bible?" Even though they didn't like to study 'the Bible', they liked the very word 'truth'. Some of them began to study the Bible because they had to find truth. This was a common campus landscape in 1980s. But nowadays it has been completely reversed. If you asked a student with a question, "Would you like to find truth?" what would happen to you? You could be seen as an alien! Anyway, through today's story about the Magi, we can learn that we need to change our attitude toward the truth. We are truth-seekers. We have already known Jesus, who is the way and the truth and the life. We follow him as his disciples. We attend worship service every Sunday. We still study the Bible every week as we have done. We teach the Bible to campus students. But something wrong. I realize that I am busy doing something and I am gradually away from the very purity and integrity that I had kept in my younger age. But now it's time I think back of my attitude toward the truth through the story of the Magi. Their beautiful story reminds us of our pure heart when we first accept Jesus. During this Christmas season, let's take a long journey to find the great star through Bible studies and various worship events. Above all, let's spare more time to think deeply about our baby Jesus. Let's have humble mind to visit the baby in a manger so that we may have great joy in our hearts. Look at verse 3. “When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” When King Herod heard from the Magi that the king of the Jews had been born, he was not happy. Rather, Herod thought that the baby Jesus was a threat to his kingship, and he was disturbed. When he was disturbed, all Jerusalem was disturbed with him. People were not ready to accept the Messiah. Even though they were in misery and suffering under King Herod's dictatorial rule, they wanted to stay the same. They still loved the darkness of the world. That's why, on hearing the Messiah's birth, they were disturbed. Look at verse 4. “When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.” Herod already knew about the Christ, and he wanted to get more information from the Bible. So he called Jerusalem’s Bible teachers for a conference. His motive was not to worship Jesus, but to get rid of Jesus. Look at verses 5-6. “‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: “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.”’” The religious leaders knew the answer precisely, based on the Scriptures. The Christ would be born in Bethlehem, just a few miles from Jerusalem. The religious leaders knew where Christ is born. They should have gone to worship Him when they heard about Jesus' birth. But they made no effort to go there. What a great contrast with the Magi! Here we can learn from this verse who the king of the Jews is. Here in this passage, "the ruler" is equal to "the shepherd". Jesus is the king who rules like a shepherd. Here we can learn from this verse who the king of the Jews is. Here in this passage, "the ruler" is equal to "the shepherd". Jesus is the king who rules like a shepherd. A person with true leadership is the one who has the image of a shepherd. Moses is the greater leader than there have ever been or ever will be again. He was the one who the LORD spoke to face to face, received the Law directly, and led millions of people from slavery in Egypt to the land of Canaan. But his greatness does not depend on these outward accomplishments, but on his shepherd heart. One day, the Israelites complained again about water shortage at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin. They irritated Moses to the point that he couldn't stand. He was too exhausted to serve his people. He showed anger to them as he struck the rock with his staff. God was not pleased with Moses not honoring God as holy before the eyes of his people. God told Moses that he would die after going up the mountain and see the promised land of Canaan. That might have sounded unfair to Moses. How eagerly he hoped to step on the promised land. He must have felt sorry to God. But he didn't. Rather he prayed for his people with broken shepherd heart. "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD'S people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."(Numb 27:16,17) His shepherd heart made him a great leader. David was a man after God's own heart. It was because David served his people with God's shepherd heart. He loved his sheep more than his life when he was young. He loved his people as well with shepherd heart. As he ran away into a cave escaping from Saul's pursuit, about four hundred people who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader(1Sm 22:2). All kinds of people were with him to get comfort and courage from him. When he became king of the United Kingdom of Israel, he ruled his people with the same shepherd heart he had in his early age. But both Moses and David were only shadows of our Good Shepherd Jesus. Jesus is our good shepherd. Jesus was born as king, but he didn't lord it over us, but served us like a shepherd. Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." How come he is our good shepherd? First, Jesus feeds us with the word of God. Jesus' main ministry was to teach the word of God to people. Jesus showed people clear life direction, how to live a blessed life, how to pray, how to get eternal life, the hope for the kingdom of God and so on. While he was serving his public ministry of God, he taught the word of God from early morning to late night without rest. Through his ministry of preaching, lots of souls came to life: the Samaritan woman, the paralytic, people with leprosy, the blind men, even the Gentiles including the centurion and the Greek woman born in Syrian Phoenicia. They all came to life. Where there was Jesus, there was the work of life. Second, Jesus laid his life for his sheep. He didn't made his sheep a tool for his honor, but the object of his care. Many people want to be honored using others. But Jesus didn't care about himself. His only concern was his sheep‘s happiness and life. Jesus showed his love on the cross, laying his life for our sins to save us. He became the lamb of God who takes away the sin of world. That's why John the Baptist shouted with amazement: "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"(Jn 1:29) There are so many people around us like a bruised reed and a smoldering wick. They look like they have no hope. The bruised reed will surely be cut off and the smoldering wick might be dead soon. But to Jesus they have hope. The bruised reed, if it was cared for with great tenderness, would stick together with its trunk; the smoldering wick, if it is fueled with new oil, would give off bright light. Jesus is our good shepherd who laid his life to renew, revitalize, and restore our life. Third, Jesus set a good example for us. Jesus doesn't tell us to do this or do that. He doesn't force us to do what he wants us to do. He doesn't point us at this or that: "Pick up the trash; Go feed campus sheep; Attend early morning prayer meeting every day. Don't miss it even one day!! OK?" Instead, he set a good example for us. By showing what to do, he wants us to follow his footsteps. Looking at John 13, Jesus' disciples didn't want to wash each other's feet before the last supper. They didn't want to humble themselves. They were eating without washing even their own feet. There was weird smell spreading out from their feet. That was unbearable odor for them. But they withstood it unshakingly. Then Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel. This Jesus looked like a slave! He became a servant! Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant! (Phil 2:7) What an amazing humility! After that, he said to his disciples, "A new command I give you： Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."(Jn 13:34) Jesus is our good shepherd by setting a good example for us. Why are we happy every Christmas? Is it because we get some gifts from Santa Claus? That is the case with children. Is it because people celebrate it anyway? NO. It is because we have our good shepherd Jesus in our heart. We are happy because we keep the humble Jesus laid in a manger! The baby Jesus has been born in us who accept him as our good shepherd. Our good shepherd Jesus is our King. Our good shepherd Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting Father. A ruler is absolutely significant in our life. The reason people are not happy is to have a wrong ruler in their heart. When a violent father rules in his family, the other family members aren't happy. When a tyrant like King Herod rules over a nation, his people are not happy. They try to rule with force. But our shepherd Jesus rules with peace and love. Our shepherd Jesus rules us with grace and truth. Our shepherd Jesus rules us with heavenly principles. Praise be to our Good Shepherd Jesus! May God grant our campus students the grace of accepting Jesus as their good shepherd. Look at verse 7. After hearing about the good shepherd Jesus, King Herod should have fallen to his knees in repentance. It was good news for him too. But he was evil. He called the Magi secretly to find out the time the star had appeared. It was to carry out his plot to kill Jesus. However, God was in control. God helped the Magi find the Christ through the Bible study. Later, God warned them in a dream to avoid Herod and go back to their country. God protected the Magi and the baby Jesus. Look at verses 9-10. “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. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” When the Magi continued their journey, suddenly, the star they had seen in the east appeared again. God showed them the star to lead them to the child. When they saw the star again, they were overjoyed. True joy comes to those who seek Jesus with all their hearts and strength. The Magi were overjoyed when he found the star of the truth again. They were overjoyed because they were looking forward to seeing the Messiah. They were overjoyed because they realized that they had made a right choice to seek and worship baby Jesus. They danced a "Nobody dance." singing "I want nobody, nobody but you, Jesus!" To have true joy, we need to pay for it. It required a decision of faith and sacrificial life. It requires us endurance and suffering. But in the end it gives us overflowing joy. Look at verse 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.” The Magi’s hearts were thoroughly prepared. They could see God in the baby Jesus. They knew he was not an ordinary child in an ordinary home. They knew that he was God and he was the one they must worship. They bowed down before the child Jesus, even though the Magi were noble and dignified people. They were very humble before God. They knew they were just creatures before their Creator, and sinners before the Holy God. Moreover, through their act of bowing, they declared their loyalty to the child Jesus, offering themselves to the baby Jesus. Then they worshiped him. Their worship of Jesus meant their love to the child Jesus. They gave praise and honor to God. Their worship did not end up with bowing down. They opened their treasures and gave him gold, incense and myrrh. They worshiped not only with their lips, but by offering their precious treasures to him. They chose their treasures very carefully to convey the meaning of who the baby Jesus was. Gold was the gift for a king. Incense signified the priestly identity of baby Jesus. Myrrh was a kind of spice for one who dies. We learn from the Magi how to truly appreciate and worship Jesus, the king of the Jews, who is God with us. Let's become contemporary Magi, who seek the truth. Let's tell our campus sheep about our Good Shepherd. Let's keep our Good Shepherd Jesus in our hearts as our King. May God bless us to have true joy through our journey of faith. |
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