Feb20
Matthew 2:1……….Ready
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time (Reign) of King Herod, (“Herod the Great” 4 B.C.) Magi (3097-“Magos”, magician, sorcerer, astrologers, priest. Wise men-K.J.V., Kings.-[Church tradition) from the east (Persia/Babylon. A 3-month journey, spanning 900 miles. They probably traveled in a large caravan.) came to Jerusalem. (Suggests being the capital city of Israel, it would be the logical place a royal baby would be born.)
Continued From Book
“Teaches how no Journey is too difficult or distance too great to keep us from Jesus. The Magi were willing to leave their homes, family, and comfort zones. The Magi were willing to spare no expense, effort, or price. The Magi were willing to risk hardships, difficulties, and dangers. will you do the same?” ⇔ These men left all that was familiar, they left the security of their families, they left the pleasure of their wealth to pursue what they deemed most important in life. Are you willing to place your faith in God like the Magi? Are you willing to sacrifice the comforts around you to follow God? Are you willing to face dangers to serve God? Are you willing to set off towards unknown destinations to worship God?
“Calls for not allowing barriers to keep us from Jesus. Think about how many barriers the Magi had to cross to get to Jesus. There was a culture barrier, a distance barrier, a language barrier, a racial barrier, a religious barrier, not to speak of a hostile king and indifferent religious leaders.” ⇔ It wasn’t easy for them to find Jesus, but they did.
“Teaches God doesn’t care about where you’ve been or where you started out. But how far your willing to go.” ⇔ Will you obey God when He asks you to do something you don’t want to do? Will you let go of that one thing that is holding you back? How desperate are you to find healing?
“Teaches how God’s Saving grace is for all people.” ⇔ Whoever these “Wise men” were, they show us that you never know whose heart God is preparing. It may be your neighbor, it may be someone you are serving at the food bank, it may be one of your co-workers. The people we overlook as unlikely to embrace God are the very ones seeking God.
“Displays how nothing in the Magi’s religion, wisdom, magic, astrology was ever satisfying, that it left them empty!” ⇔ These men had everything the world would consider needed for happiness! Education, prestige, money, position. Yet they came seeking because something was missing in their hearts and lives. God has placed within each one of us a place that only Christ can fill. Without Him we are empty inside. It is an emptiness that is caused by God in order to bring us to Christ. Just as the wise men needed to fill the emptiness in their lives by seeking Christ so wise men and women today also need to fill the emptiness in their lives by seeking Him. Do you find your life empty and incomplete, that everything you’ve achieved isn’t enough. Then you need to look to Jesus? (cf. Matt. 11:28-30, 19:16-22)
“Displays the type of simple faith God is looking for. Without any miracles to convince them, or hearing any sermons to persuade them, the Magi still came believing on Jesus with what little light they had!” ⇔ The Magi didn’t have churches on every corner, the bible on the Internet, TV, or radio. They knew only the things God revealed to them and faithfully obeyed! All of this points to powerful truth – You don’t have to know it all to worship Christ. These men were not Biblical scholars, yet God revealed Himself to them and He would use them greatly. You don’t have to be great and mighty, the most beautiful, wealthy, or even the most educated – God can reveal Himself to you and He can use anyone who is willing to believe in Him and seek Him.
“Even today we’re to have the same concern over the welfare of our souls. Where is our self-denial, what diligence do we show in worshiping Christ. What pains do we take to attend Church, even if it means getting up early, driving a great distance, missing a ball game? How much do we make it a point to attend worship services. Even if the sermon’s are long and boring. Even if the worship music is loud and out of date. Even if the pews are hard & uncomfortable, and the people unfriendly. What does our religion cost us, how much are we willing to endure, how committed are we to our faith?”
Additional Notes & Applications
Displays the deep longing of the soul of those who are looking for answers, for meaning, for hope. There is a spiritual hunger, a yearning for purpose and meaning in our time. How far are you willing to go to find the greatest questions of life–who am I?, why am I here? where I am going?, what purpose do I serve?
Teaches how its often the most unlikely people God embraces. You never know who’s heart God is touching. It would be a huge mistake in writing others off, that their beyond being Saved. God is often doing things in peoples life’s that were unaware of. Who knows, the person your sitting next to in Church, singing praise songs with, was once a criminal, drug dealer, addict, homosexual, adult entertainer, atheist, lawyer, Wall Street executive, etc.!
Displays how those who may seem unlearned and unchurched may be greater models of faith and devotion then we are. Do you discount a certain person just because they didn’t go to church, seminary, or belong to your specific denomination?
Teaches how by bringing Jesus and king Herod together at the same time in history, reveals how God can use what seems to be weak to accomplish His purposes. That God uses people that appear to be weak to triumph over those who appear to be strong. (Although the Herod’s of the world may seem overwhelming and undefeatable as compared to our self’s, but know that God’s power is stronger still!) (cf. 1-Corn. 1:26-30, 2-Corn. 12:9-10)
Note: The scholarly consensus of the Magi is that they were a priestly caste in ancient Persia or Babylon who belonged to a monotheistic religion known as “Zoroastrianism” who worshiped one God. That they were skilled in astrology, divination, magic, and dreams. They were also familiar with the Jewish religion, having access to such scriptures like Danial and Numbers, dating back centuries earlier during Israel’s captivity and release from Babylon-(Dan. 2:2, 2:48, Numb. 24:15) The Magi may have been familiar with Balaam’s prophecy as found in Numbers chapter 24 verses 15-19. Or possibly Isaiah’s prophecy as found in chapter 60 verses 1-6. Some scholars believe that the Magi/Wise-men may have been descendants of the high ranking officials belonging to the royal court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, as found in the book of Daniel. (cf. Dan. 2:1-23, 2:48)
Note: Someone once observed that the Magi/Wise men must have been male, because if they had been Wise Women they would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, brought dippers and formula, and given the baby much more practical gifts!
Note: Many point out a lot of misconceptions concerning the birth of Christ, how most of our favorite Christmas carols and Nativity sets that celebrate Jesus’ birth got it wrong. Like the Christmas carol “Silent night, Holy night”. That there couldn’t have been much peace during Jesus’ birth and childhood, with Mary finding no room at the inn, and with Joseph on the run from Herod’s murderous plot to kill the baby Jesus. Or how the Magi could not have been present at Jesus’ manger, that they had only found the baby Jesus in a house two years later. They also say that it was only presumed that there were “Three Kings” based on the fact that there was three gifts given; gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus.
Note: The number of those who came to King Herod is uncertain. Church tradition places the number at 3, a calculation based upon the 3 gifts. According to Church legend gives their names as “Gaspar”, “Balthasear”, and “Melchior
(For more Applications get the whole Book)
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- Posted by David Costa/
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We truly can’t be an island to ourselves. We must share Christ with all who will listen including our family.
Much hatred occurs in this country. Families who choose to follow after Christ must share Him with family
as much if not more than the world. That will have an impact on the rest resulting in more outreach to unbelievers.
We must not forsake family or our neighbors.
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