Kings & Wise Men: The Day After Christmas
† Introduction:
The journey to Bethlehem is over for Mary and Joseph. The angels have announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The virgin has born a son. King David’s heir has been named. Prophecy has been fulfilled. Salvation has come. Immanuel (God with us), Jesus is born. Now what?
After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their flocks, after Joseph and Mary find a home to live in and settle down to the day to day activities of married life with a newborn. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas?
On this day after Christmas, 2010, let us explore Matthew, chapter 2. It is the story of first years after Jesus’ birth. It is a story of the perfection of God’s timing, the power of His protection, and the treachery of His enemies. It is a story full of worship, danger, and adventure. It is a story of Kings and of Wise Men.
=Read Matthew 2=
† First, The Wise Men: Who were these Magi?
According to verse 16, it’s been as long as 2 years since Jesus’ actual birthday. And these people, whoever they are, have seen his star and have come from the East to worship the one who has been born King of the Jews.
By the way, one of the most compelling resources you can find on the events surrounding Jesus’ birth is called The Star of Bethlehem, a video and a website compiled by a Christian man named Rick Larson.
Larson’s material points out some things we may miss about these Wise Men. For example, they know from the star that Jesus is a child, that he is the king, and that he is Jewish. Also, he points out that there is no good reason to believe there were 3 of them.
There are other things we can know about them as well. They are not kings. The term magi or magus is never used in the ancient world to describe royalty. Even in western church history and art, the Wise Men are never portrayed wearing crowns until almost 1000 years after the birth of Jesus.
The Persian term transliterated Magi is the equivalent of the Hebrew Chakkim used in the book of Daniel, when Daniel is made chief over all the King’s Wise Men. It is possible, since most of the Jews exported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar never returned to Israel, and since they have come to worship a Jewish king, that these Magi are Jews and from the same school of Magi as Daniel.
Now, these observations are informative, but the key thing to remember about the Wise Men is not found in these particulars, but in their seeking the Savior. As you may have seen on a bumper sticker or a T-shirt: Wise Men still seek him.
Whatever their profession, their education, or their ethnic origin, the thing that makes these men wise is not that they saw the star, but that they understood and obeyed God’s call to follow it. They followed it to Israel. They followed it to Jerusalem. They followed it to Bethlehem. They followed it to the very doorstep of Joseph and Mary.
There they found the child (the Greek means Toddler) and worshiped him. They offered him gold (kingship & wisdom), frankincense (purity & priesthood), a myrrh (healing & death).
Their following, their seeking is what set them apart from everyone else. Jesus was not a surprise. The Hebrews Scriptures clearly pointed to His coming. The chief priests and the scribes knew where the Christ was to be born. Yet, they would not risk Herod’s wrath to seek him themselves. They were afraid to seek, afraid to follow.
Their fear is understandable. In fact, we too may have been afraid. For, there are not merely Wise Men in this story; there are Kings. And the first king is Herod.
† So, King Herod: Who is this butcher?
Now, if you didn’t already know the story . . . Or, if you didn’t know Herod’s reputation as a ruthless and paranoid ruler . . . If you didn’t know that he ordered the execution of two wives and numerous sons and relatives whom he felt were at various times during his reign plotting against him . . . If you hadn’t just read verses 16-18 . . . If you didn’t know Herod, as the Wise Men apparently did not, then he might fool you at first.
He is the King of Judea. He refurbished and expanded the Temple of Yahweh. He gave tax breaks to the Jews he favored on multiple occasions. He seems to want to know more about the star and the mission of the Wise Men to worship the Christ-child. He points the way to Bethlehem. He even says he wants to come and worship the Messiah once he is located.
But, we do know. We know that Herod is a murderer. We know that he was in constant fear of being displaced from his throne. We know he is false to the true meaning of kingship. We know the lengths he goes to in this passage to end the threat to his reign.
Herod is the King, but he is no Wise Man. He wears the crown, but he is neither good nor just. Herod is more like a monster than a man. Herod is not someone you look up to, name your son after, or consider a role model.
It’s interesting that after causing such a big stir, so little is made of Herod’s death. The text simply says: “But when Herod was dead.” In actuality, Herod’s death was rather dramatic. The Jewish historian Josephus states that a loathsome disease descended upon the ruler. He describes the horrible process of Herod’s literally rotting from within.
However, God obviously saw no need to include these details. It doesn’t matter how Herod died. We should not rejoice that Jesus’ first persecutor suffered so much. It is unbecoming a follower of Jesus. For without Christ, we are no better than he. Matthew 5:21-22;27-28.
Without Jesus, we stand here dead and guilty already, however we end our lives. Even if we are called kings and queens in the earth if we are not also Wise Men, if we are clinging to our own strength or reputation instead of seeking Jesus and worshiping him as our King, our Priest, and our Savior, then our doom is no better than Herod’s.
No, King Herod is no role model, but unless we are wise, then neither are we.
† There is another King in this story, one we can look up to. He’s easy to miss. Millions still miss him every day. He is merely a young child, innocent, seemingly defenseless; yet full of God’s presence. There is King Jesus:
We don’t talk about “King Jesus” very often, do we? We focus on His divinity. We look to Him for eternal salvation and for forgiveness for our sins. We remember His sinless life, His death, and His resurrection. We talk about Him as Lord of all Creation. And, we should, because that is all part of who He is.
But, in this story . . . here in our text, Jesus is King. That is why the Magi sought Him. That is why Herod wanted to kill Him. That is why Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt with Him. And, when He returns, it is what He will return to be. Jesus is a King. Jesus is the King of all Kings.
The story of Christmas is the story of God reclaiming His reign over the earth. It is the story of God fulfilling His promise to David. It is about the incarnation of God Kingdom in the earthly person of Jesus. It is the story of the birth of a child born (as it says in The Nativity Story) “for the lowest of men to the highest of kings.”
Yet, Christmas is not just about when, or where, or how Jesus was born. Christmas is also about who and why.
The who is Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. He is the chosen Messiah, the representative ruler of God’s Kingdom. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace.
Who else set aside the glory of heaven to become one of us? Who else has ever lived a sinless life? Who else has ever died to pay the price for our sins? Who else will return to rule the earth? Who else is truly worthy to be called King?
Yet, even more amazing to me than the who of Christmas is the why of Christmas. The why of Christmas is us! Jesus wasn’t just born to be the King of Israel. He was born to be our King as well; the King of You and the King of Me.
Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
2 Corinthians 5:19 says, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
There are more passages of course, but my job is to point you to the Way, not remove your need to seek and follow God yourselves.
Jesus wants to be our King, and to use us to advance the Kingdom of God. He is calling us to make a choice. Will we be Wise Men? Will we seek and follow? Will we bring our gifts and bow before the one true King?
† In Closing:
After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their boxes, after Joseph and Mary find a home in the storage shed to wait until next year, after we settle down to the day to day activities of our own lives. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas?
This morning, the day after Christmas, will we leave Bethlehem by the same road we come to it on? Or, will we heed the voice of God and “leave for [our] own country another way”? Will we simply return to our lives? Or, will we return to our lives wiser? Will we return to our lives changed? Will we return to our lives having seen the King, our High Priest and our Savior, and having worshipped at his humble throne?
The journey to Bethlehem is over for Mary and Joseph. The angels have announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The virgin has born a son. King David’s heir has been named. Prophecy has been fulfilled. Salvation has come. Immanuel (God with us), Jesus is born. Now what?
After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their flocks, after Joseph and Mary find a home to live in and settle down to the day to day activities of married life with a newborn. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas?
On this day after Christmas, 2010, let us explore Matthew, chapter 2. It is the story of first years after Jesus’ birth. It is a story of the perfection of God’s timing, the power of His protection, and the treachery of His enemies. It is a story full of worship, danger, and adventure. It is a story of Kings and of Wise Men.
=Read Matthew 2=
† First, The Wise Men: Who were these Magi?
According to verse 16, it’s been as long as 2 years since Jesus’ actual birthday. And these people, whoever they are, have seen his star and have come from the East to worship the one who has been born King of the Jews.
By the way, one of the most compelling resources you can find on the events surrounding Jesus’ birth is called The Star of Bethlehem, a video and a website compiled by a Christian man named Rick Larson.
Larson’s material points out some things we may miss about these Wise Men. For example, they know from the star that Jesus is a child, that he is the king, and that he is Jewish. Also, he points out that there is no good reason to believe there were 3 of them.
There are other things we can know about them as well. They are not kings. The term magi or magus is never used in the ancient world to describe royalty. Even in western church history and art, the Wise Men are never portrayed wearing crowns until almost 1000 years after the birth of Jesus.
The Persian term transliterated Magi is the equivalent of the Hebrew Chakkim used in the book of Daniel, when Daniel is made chief over all the King’s Wise Men. It is possible, since most of the Jews exported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar never returned to Israel, and since they have come to worship a Jewish king, that these Magi are Jews and from the same school of Magi as Daniel.
Now, these observations are informative, but the key thing to remember about the Wise Men is not found in these particulars, but in their seeking the Savior. As you may have seen on a bumper sticker or a T-shirt: Wise Men still seek him.
Whatever their profession, their education, or their ethnic origin, the thing that makes these men wise is not that they saw the star, but that they understood and obeyed God’s call to follow it. They followed it to Israel. They followed it to Jerusalem. They followed it to Bethlehem. They followed it to the very doorstep of Joseph and Mary.
There they found the child (the Greek means Toddler) and worshiped him. They offered him gold (kingship & wisdom), frankincense (purity & priesthood), a myrrh (healing & death).
Their following, their seeking is what set them apart from everyone else. Jesus was not a surprise. The Hebrews Scriptures clearly pointed to His coming. The chief priests and the scribes knew where the Christ was to be born. Yet, they would not risk Herod’s wrath to seek him themselves. They were afraid to seek, afraid to follow.
Their fear is understandable. In fact, we too may have been afraid. For, there are not merely Wise Men in this story; there are Kings. And the first king is Herod.
† So, King Herod: Who is this butcher?
Now, if you didn’t already know the story . . . Or, if you didn’t know Herod’s reputation as a ruthless and paranoid ruler . . . If you didn’t know that he ordered the execution of two wives and numerous sons and relatives whom he felt were at various times during his reign plotting against him . . . If you hadn’t just read verses 16-18 . . . If you didn’t know Herod, as the Wise Men apparently did not, then he might fool you at first.
He is the King of Judea. He refurbished and expanded the Temple of Yahweh. He gave tax breaks to the Jews he favored on multiple occasions. He seems to want to know more about the star and the mission of the Wise Men to worship the Christ-child. He points the way to Bethlehem. He even says he wants to come and worship the Messiah once he is located.
But, we do know. We know that Herod is a murderer. We know that he was in constant fear of being displaced from his throne. We know he is false to the true meaning of kingship. We know the lengths he goes to in this passage to end the threat to his reign.
Herod is the King, but he is no Wise Man. He wears the crown, but he is neither good nor just. Herod is more like a monster than a man. Herod is not someone you look up to, name your son after, or consider a role model.
It’s interesting that after causing such a big stir, so little is made of Herod’s death. The text simply says: “But when Herod was dead.” In actuality, Herod’s death was rather dramatic. The Jewish historian Josephus states that a loathsome disease descended upon the ruler. He describes the horrible process of Herod’s literally rotting from within.
However, God obviously saw no need to include these details. It doesn’t matter how Herod died. We should not rejoice that Jesus’ first persecutor suffered so much. It is unbecoming a follower of Jesus. For without Christ, we are no better than he. Matthew 5:21-22;27-28.
Without Jesus, we stand here dead and guilty already, however we end our lives. Even if we are called kings and queens in the earth if we are not also Wise Men, if we are clinging to our own strength or reputation instead of seeking Jesus and worshiping him as our King, our Priest, and our Savior, then our doom is no better than Herod’s.
No, King Herod is no role model, but unless we are wise, then neither are we.
† There is another King in this story, one we can look up to. He’s easy to miss. Millions still miss him every day. He is merely a young child, innocent, seemingly defenseless; yet full of God’s presence. There is King Jesus:
We don’t talk about “King Jesus” very often, do we? We focus on His divinity. We look to Him for eternal salvation and for forgiveness for our sins. We remember His sinless life, His death, and His resurrection. We talk about Him as Lord of all Creation. And, we should, because that is all part of who He is.
But, in this story . . . here in our text, Jesus is King. That is why the Magi sought Him. That is why Herod wanted to kill Him. That is why Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt with Him. And, when He returns, it is what He will return to be. Jesus is a King. Jesus is the King of all Kings.
The story of Christmas is the story of God reclaiming His reign over the earth. It is the story of God fulfilling His promise to David. It is about the incarnation of God Kingdom in the earthly person of Jesus. It is the story of the birth of a child born (as it says in The Nativity Story) “for the lowest of men to the highest of kings.”
Yet, Christmas is not just about when, or where, or how Jesus was born. Christmas is also about who and why.
The who is Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. He is the chosen Messiah, the representative ruler of God’s Kingdom. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace.
Who else set aside the glory of heaven to become one of us? Who else has ever lived a sinless life? Who else has ever died to pay the price for our sins? Who else will return to rule the earth? Who else is truly worthy to be called King?
Yet, even more amazing to me than the who of Christmas is the why of Christmas. The why of Christmas is us! Jesus wasn’t just born to be the King of Israel. He was born to be our King as well; the King of You and the King of Me.
Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
2 Corinthians 5:19 says, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
There are more passages of course, but my job is to point you to the Way, not remove your need to seek and follow God yourselves.
Jesus wants to be our King, and to use us to advance the Kingdom of God. He is calling us to make a choice. Will we be Wise Men? Will we seek and follow? Will we bring our gifts and bow before the one true King?
† In Closing:
After the manger is emptied, after the shepherds have returned to their boxes, after Joseph and Mary find a home in the storage shed to wait until next year, after we settle down to the day to day activities of our own lives. . . What happens now? What happens the day after Christmas?
This morning, the day after Christmas, will we leave Bethlehem by the same road we come to it on? Or, will we heed the voice of God and “leave for [our] own country another way”? Will we simply return to our lives? Or, will we return to our lives wiser? Will we return to our lives changed? Will we return to our lives having seen the King, our High Priest and our Savior, and having worshipped at his humble throne?
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