December 20, 2019
Wise Men and Women Still Seek Him
Matthew 2:1-12
Bobby Crotty
Central Truth
The wise men came from the east seeking the One born king of the Jews. When they found Him, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy, and they fell down and worshiped him. Wise men and women still do the same today.
Key Verse | Matthew 2:11
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.
Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit of the Wise Men
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men 1 2:1 Greek magi; also verses 7, 16 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 2 2:2 Or in the east; also verse 9 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.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 2:1-12
We have much we can learn from the wise men of Matthew 2. First, they understood the signs of the times. Matthew 2:2 says that they saw the star marking the birth of the King of the Jews and that they came "to worship him." They not only recognized the sign, but they also then acted upon their understanding.
Second, they went with an attitude of joy. They "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" when they saw the star resting over the place where the child was (Matthew 2:10). Third, upon coming into the presence of the child who is THE King, they fell down and worshiped Him (Matthew 2:11). Fourth, they offered gifts to this King (Matthew 2:11). I sometimes wonder, "What do I have to offer the King?" The honest answer is nothing . . . except my life (Romans 12:1-2). And the amazing thing is that, when I do that, He gives me life as He created me to live it.
Not surprisingly, we have created some myths about these wise men—how many there were, where they came from, and when they arrived. We don't know from the text of Scripture how many wise men there were. Likely, there were a number of them traveling together—probably more than the three we use to populate our crèches. Scripture tells us only that they came from "the east" (Matthew 2:1), leaving scholars—modern wise men—to surmise that they may have come from Babylon. Scripture also provides a little help in answering when they arrived, describing that they were searching for a "child" (Matthew 2:8-9, 11), who may have been as old as two years of age (see Matthew 2:16).
Our myths, however, do not distract from the central truth that wise men and women still seek Him today, offering their lives in service to this King who is coming back . . . soon.
Discussion Questions
1. What gift would you offer the One born King of the Jews? What Scripture informs your choice?
2. How do you worship this King today? What Scripture informs your worship?
3. This King is coming back . . . soon (according to Revelation 22:7, 12, 20). What can you do today to be ready for His return? What Scripture informs your answer?
Share the Scripture in your answers to these questions with The Journey family in a comment to this devo.
Thanks for being a part of our fifteenth Journey! It has been a treat to journey for a year from the Promised Land to the Promised King, and to close the year by reading passages concerning the first advent of this King. The Journey will resume on January 1, 2020. Join us as we are back in the New Testament learning more about the King who is coming soon.