The Christmas Story Part 4 The Wise Men Believed God And Were Rewarded

We continue to follow the Christmas story and the birth of Christ as recorded in Matthew's gospel.

We learned about the virgin birth of Christ and about the name Jesus being given by God.

We learned about Jesus the bread of life come down from heaven being born in Bethlehem, the city of bread.

We learned about a special star God gave as a sign that Messiah was born and of the wise men from the east who came seeking to worship the Christ child.

Matthew 2:1-2  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. 

We learned who the wise men were and noted their connections with Daniel the prophet in ancient times.

These men connected Daniel's visions of Messiah with the Old Testament prophets such as Amos, Micah and Isaiah.

Thus, they were watching for a unique star to appear and when it did, they traveled from the area of Babylon to Jerusalem.

They stopped first in Jerusalem to inquire as to where the Christ child might be born.

Next, we will see Herod's reaction to the arrival and quest of the wise men.

Matthew 2:3-6  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. 

Herod was troubled when he eventually heard about the wise men. All Jerusalem was also troubled by this event because the Jews were not even thinking about their Messiah, let alone looking for Him.

Herod obtained the kingdom by committing great crimes, and shedding much blood. 

He was easily alarmed by any remarkable appearances, and the fact that this star appeared and was regarded as proof that a King of the Jews was born, alarmed him.

Herod's friends were also alarmed by these tidings but there were many faithful Jews in Jerusalem who did long for Messiah to come (See Luke 2:25-38).

Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes and demanded to know where Messiah would be born.

They cited texts from Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 9:6-7.

Herod's devious and wicked plot to find the Christ child.

Matthew 2:7-8  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. 

Armed with that knowledge, Herod discreetly called the wise men to meet with him.

Herod was as devious and murderous as his father was.

He asked probing questions to determine how long this unique star has been observed.

Then, Herod told the wise men to travel to Bethlehem and to search diligently for the young child. 

Herod asked them to stop by his palace and tell him where the child was under the guise that he too, wanted to worship Messiah.

God's special star reappeared and guided the wise men to Christ.

Matthew 2:9-10  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. 

The words "When they had heard the king" mean that the wise men listened to Herod  with great care and attention.

They had no reason so be suspicious of Herod's motives. The wise men were ready and willing to do as the king requested.

How graciously God directed them. 

By the first appearance of the star they understood where they might enquire for this King, and then it disappeared.

The wise men began their journey, knowing that according to their best calculations, Messiah was born in the land of Judea.

After arriving at Jerusalem, the wise men had traced the matter as far as they could which is why they asked the Jews where Christ would be born.

Once they spoke with Herod, they journeyed on to Bethlehem.

In that time it was a populous town and they were at a loss to know where exactly to find Christ.

They were at their wit's end, but not at their faith's end, for they believed that God, who had brought them this far by His word, would help them again.

This star was the token of God's presence with them; for He is light, and goes before His people as their Guide. 

If we by faith seek God in all our ways, we may enjoy His blessing and guidance.

Psalm 32:8  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 

Isaiah 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 

Jehovah guides with His eye in order to teach us the holy way that we must go.

Our ears will hear the voice of God in His Word saying to our soul, "This is the way, walk ye in it"

He will show us to walk on the straight and narrow, God pleasing way so that we do not deviate when we encounter doctrines of devils or cultural pressures. 

Thus, the star that they originally saw in their homeland reappeared and led them to where Mary and her baby were staying. 

God manifest in the flesh was worshiped by the wise men.

Matthew 2:11  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. 

Oh, what joy must have filled the wise men's hearts when they found the One for whom they searched.

The phrase "And when they were come into the house" means they were fully assured they were in the right place by the star standing right over it.

This was the house, and here was the king of the Jews, whom they came to worship. 

The wise men's faith may be the fruit of Daniel's long ministry in Babylonia. He was known as a worshipper and prophet of the One, True God of heaven.

He was a man much beloved of God (See Daniel 9:23; 10:11; 19).

He taught God's truth to kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Darius (See Daniel 2 & 11).

Daniel saved the lives of all the Chaldean wise men and we know he was always a faithful witness for God's truth.

There is no reason to doubt that Daniel taught many of the wise men these same truths and that they passed it down from generation to generation.

This is why these wise men were searching for a unique star announcing Messiah's birth.

They saw the young child Jesus with His mother Mary.

Psalm 95:6  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 

They immediately fell down and worshipped the Christ child, not Mary.

The people of the East never approach the presence of kings and great personages, without a present in their hands. This custom is often noticed in the Old Testament.

They brought treasures to give Messiah as this was customary to do for a king.

Gold of course, is still an extremely valuable commodity. 

Frankincense is a white resin or gum. 

It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark, and allowing the gum to flow out. 

It is highly fragrant when burned, and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a sweet smelling savor or offering to God. 

Myrrh was also a production of Arabia, obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. 

The name means bitterness, and was given to it because of its great bitter taste. 

Myrrh was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it had the property of preserving dead bodies from putrefaction. 

Myrrh was much used in Egypt and in Judea. It was  also an ingredient of the holy ointment, (See Exodus 30:23). 

It was also used as a very sweet and desirable perfume, (See Esther 2:12; Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:17)

The wise men gave to Jesus the things that were of the highest value in their own land.

God intervened and guided the wise men safely home another way.

Matthew 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

God intervened once again.

He first gave the announcement of Messiah's birth to guide the wise men to Judea.

Next, God had the star reappeared after they left Herod and used it to guide them to the home of Jesus.

Now, knowing Herod's murderous intentions, God directed the wise men to use a different path to travel home. 

He warned them in a dream and they heeded His guidance.

Thus, God's Word taught to them by Daniel, was instrumental in leading these men to the Christ child so that they might worship Him.

Psalm 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

So it is for us. We are on a journey, a life as pilgrims and strangers just passing through this world.

The light of God's Word guides our steps just as His star guided the wise men.

We walk by faith not by sight, but one day, we will see our Savior.

We will fall and worship at Jesus' feet just as the wise men did.

May the scriptures guide our steps each day and illuminate the path God marks out for us to walk on.

May we be faithful to share His Word with others, just as Daniel shared it with kings and Chaldean wise men.

May the Lord fill our hearts with great anticipation of heaven and seeing our Lord!

I pray that the Christmas Hymn "We Three Kings" below will bless you and your family.

Bob

Matthew 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

Below is a link to an excellent performance of the Christmas hymn, "We Three Kings" along with the lyrics.

https://youtu.be/1qB16YAKKF8?si=-94ib7mj3DPq2hkA

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

 

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy Perfect Light

 

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never

Over us all to reign

 

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to Thy perfect light

 

Frankincense to offer have I

Incense owns a Deity nigh

Prayer and praising, all men raising

Worship Him, God most high

 

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to Thy perfect light

 

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes of life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

 

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to Thy perfect light

 

Glorious now behold Him arise

King and God and Sacrifice

Alleluia, Alleluia

Earth to heav’n replies

 

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to Thy perfect light.