Matt. 2:1-12
After the long and arduous journey from the East, these wise men were directed by God’s special star first to the city of Jerusalem and then when it reappeared to the house where the Lord was. They are not described as kings nor are we told that they were three in number. The account of their journey in Matt. 2 contrasts point by point to the account of the shepherd’s visit in Luke 2 with the exception of the acknowledging the Lord as Savior and King. It reminds us that the Gospel is good news of great joy to all people.
Luke 2 Matthew 2
Poor Wealthy
Jewish Gentile
Shepherds – despised Wise men (Magi) – esteemed
Told by an angel Led by a star
Immediately visited Lord Visited Lord sometime afterwards
Visited the Babe Visited the Child
Came to the manger Came to the house
Went back the same way Returned another way
For these wise men there was the:
- Direction of True Faith – interested in pursuing the star that led them away from their old life
- Diligence of True Faith – they traveled a great distance
and did not give up despite the fact they continually asked the people who were ignorant of God’s Word.
3) Desire of True Faith – in contrast to the indifference of
the chief priests and scribes of the people who knew the Scriptures related to the Lord but did not go themselves to the place where He was.
4) Devotion of True Faith – in contrast to Herod who was
incensed that the wise men had not come back to him. His pretense to worship the King was exposed. After the wise men arrived at the place where the Lord was, there were three things that demonstrated they possessed genuine faith
- The Object of their Worship was Correct
When they came to the Lord, they worshiped Him, not Mary.
They bowed at His feet since He was truly the One who was born King of the Jews. They worshiped not a place or a thing but a Person
- The Order of their Worship was Correct
They gave treasures to Him after they had had bowed the knee to Him. This is the properapproach, not as many who give “gifts” to God to curry His favor without bowing the knee. Their three gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh speaking of His Person and work – gold for His deity, frankincense for His fragrant moral life – pleasing to God, and myrrh speaking of the death that He would suffer.
- The Outcome of their Worship was Correct
They went home a different way after being warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Finding the Lord will always cause a person to go back a “different way”
(2 Cor 5:17 NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
God used a star to attract attentiontolead them away from their old life. God uses His “stars” today to help people lost in the darkness of sin to find the Lord. He uses the light of His Word as well as the lights of the world – believers – to accomplish that same thing.
Dan. 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Phil. 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Who will you, who will I, help lead to the Lord this year?
Mark Kolchin