Context:
Matthew
2:1-23
Memory
Verse:
Matthew 2:11
Main
Idea:
Jesus is worthy of worship.
FIRST
THOUGHTS
Astronomers
are elated when they discover a new star in the process of being
born. Nova is a term used for a star that suddenly increases in
brightness by thousands to millions of times its original intensity,
and then decreases in brightness over a period of months to years. A
supernova is the explosion of a star that may reach a maximum
brilliance one billion times that of the sun. With the invention of
larger and stronger telescopes, scientists are becoming more
knowledgeable concerning objects in outer space.
The wonder of it all is that God created the universe and all it contains. He established a time cycle in which we live our lives. The birth and death of a star, which we calculate in time, is but a small part of the magnificence of God’s creation.
List occurrences in nature that fascinate you. What feature or
element of each item listed captures your attention the most?
God
used a star to figure into the events surrounding the birth of His
Son. This is one of many instances in the Bible where God
demonstrated His sovereignty by doing something that went beyond the
boundaries of our human understanding. By providing a fabulous GPS
system from outer space, God enhanced the wise men’s determination
to find the baby Jesus and worship Him.
I.
UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT
Matthew
2:1-23
Matthew
did not record details about the actual birth of Jesus. Chapter 1
informs readers about the coming birth of a King and its
significance. Chapter 2 takes up the story after the birth when Jesus
was a young child.
Matthew
2 highlights two responses to the birth of Jesus that echoed
throughout His life. Some people, like the wise men, reacted in a
positive way to the news of a King. They sought Jesus and worshiped
Him. Others, like Herod, rebelled against God’s truth as revealed
in Jesus. They rejected Jesus and sought to eliminate Him. This
opposition, however, did not change the truth of Jesus’ kingship.
Even as a child He divided people. The truth about Jesus demands a
decision.
In
Jesus’ most vulnerable stage of life, childhood, God provided
protection for Him. Early in Jesus’ life God demonstrated what
proved to be true throughout Jesus’ journey: He served a high and
holy purpose. And no human opposition could stop that purpose until
God’s timing was right.
When
threatened by Herod the Great, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt (Matt.
2:13-15). This relocation probably involved great sacrifice. Mary and
Joseph demonstrated obedient faith as they relied on God’s
provision. The unstable Herod ordered that infants two years old and
under in Bethlehem be massacred (vv. 16-18). This tragedy
foreshadowed the depth of hatred Jesus stirred in some people.
After
Herod’s demise the family came back to their homeland. Herod’s
kingdom was divided among his sons. Bethlehem remained under the
control of a demented, evil son. So Joseph and Mary chose not to
return there. Instead they moved to Nazareth in Galilee where a more
benevolent ruler took charge (vv. 19-23).
II.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
A.
The
Search (Matt.
2:1-2)
1
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, wise men 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 and have come to worship him.”
God’s
people anticipated a Messiah long before Jesus’ birth. After His
birth, however, the people searching for this special King extended
beyond the Jews. The opening verses of this chapter record evidence
of sincere searchers from outside the Israelite people. This
foreshadows the wide-ranging nature of Jesus’ influence.
VERSE
1
Bethlehem
of Judea
lay about five miles south of Jerusalem. The location in Judea
distinguished this Bethlehem from one in Galilee. King David came
from Bethlehem. Matthew previously connected Jesus with the line of
David (1:6).
Herod
the Great was king of the Jews at the time. The Romans appointed
Herod king of the Jews in 40 B.C. Jesus was born King. Herod was
half-Jew and half-Idumean, which technically disqualified him for the
position. Jesus was completely qualified by God as His Son. Herod
reigned as a cruel despot. Jesus reigned with love for all.
Wise
men from the east
arrived in Jerusalem. These wise men or magi originated in Persia or
some other distant place. The term identified them as well-respected,
educated persons with expertise in religion, science, or medicine.
Astrology, the study of heavenly bodies, probably existed in their
knowledge base.
Why
did they come to Jerusalem? If they originated in Persia, they
probably knew Jews who remained there after the exile. Those
resettled Jews touted Jerusalem as a center of religious activity.
Additionally, historical records indicate that many people in the
world at that time sensed something drastic was going to happen in
that region.
VERSE
2
The
wise men specifically sought the person born
king of the Jews.
The men knew enough about the Jewish faith to be aware that the Jews
anticipated a king or Messiah to arrive in their midst.
The
magi saw
his star when it rose.
Many ancient peoples put great emphasis on the study of the heavenly
bodies. The tradition of the day associated a new star in the sky
with the birth of a significant figure. Probably these men saw the
star in the sky, associated it with the Jewish teachings about a
Messiah, and traveled to Jerusalem, headquarters of the Jewish
religion.
Many
speculate about what the wise men actually saw. Was it a comet, a
conjunction of planets that brightened the sky for a time, or a new
star exploding to produce a brighter than normal light? No reason
exists to deny the supernatural appearance of a super bright star
that stood out in the sky. It got the attention of these students of
the stars.
The
wise men made clear the purpose of their search. They wanted to find
this King so that they might worship
him.
They intended to pay homage to Him as royalty. Nothing reveals that
these men possessed an advanced knowledge of the Jewish faith. But
they expected to find a special One who deserved their honor and
respect.
How
were you first introduced to Jesus? How has your journey with Him
progressed from your first awareness of Him?
B.
The
inquiry (Matt.
2:3-6)
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.’”
Verse 3
The
wise men’s arrival in Jerusalem and subsequent search for the “King
of the Jews” got Herod’s attention. It troubled
him. Herod earned a reputation for mental and emotional instability,
so the possibility of another king threatened him. He tolerated no
person who sought to take his place. In his paranoia, Herod even had
one of his wives killed. He trusted no one, and he placed no value on
human life.
Naturally,
Herod’s instability made everyone around him nervous. His
reputation for irrational acts extended far and wide. All
Jerusalem,
then, shuddered when Herod went on a rampage.
Herod’s
suspicion of Jesus foreshadowed a wider opposition to come. The
religious leaders based in the city eventually perceived Jesus to be
a similar threat to their position. Throughout His life, leaders
living in Jerusalem, God’s holy city, set themselves in opposition
to Jesus.
VERSE
4
Herod
determined to root out the source of the threat. He assembled the
Jewish religious authorities to gather information about where
the
Christ was to be born.
He determined to investigate and confront this menace.
Herod
questioned two groups of leaders. Since the priestly authorities
exerted great influence on the culture, Herod consulted the chief
priests. Possibly
this meant the Sanhedrin or Jewish high court. Or it might indicate
the leading priests in the city with supervisory roles over other
priests of lesser authority. At any rate, Herod pursued help from the
priestly leadership.
The
other group Herod conferred with consisted of scribes
of the people.
The scribes interpreted the Old Testament, copied it, and taught it.
In that day most scribes belonged to the Pharisees. These lawyers
certainly knew the law well enough to provide information on the
topic.
These
two segments represented the Jewish religious establishment of the
day. If anyone knew the answers to Herod’s questions, they did.
Probably they were curious as well about the report. Another king
presented as much of a threat to them as to Herod.
Herod
sought information about the birthplace of this Christ.
His awareness of a Messiah in Jewish tradition shows that Herod
possessed some knowledge of the Old Testament. He wanted to know the
birthplace in order to formulate a plan to locate and eliminate the
Messiah.
VERSE
5
The
religious leaders knew Scripture. They identified Bethlehem
of Judea
as the Messiah’s birth location. These Old Testament students
pointed to a prophetic passage (Mic. 5:2) as the source of their
information. This follows the prophetic fulfillment theme of Matthew.
The prophets pointed to God’s accomplishment of His ultimate
purpose through the Messiah.
VERSE
6
The
loose quotation of Micah 5:2 identifies Bethlehem as by
no means least among the rulers of Judah.
The people of that day knew Bethlehem to be a small town. But it held
a position of high honor as the birthplace of King David. Its
heritage as a city of kings supported Bethlehem’s identity as the
Messiah’s birthplace.
In
typical rabbinic fashion, the Jewish leaders added to the Micah quote
with a phrase from 2 Samuel 5:2. The rabbis often combined Scriptures
with similar emphases to support an argument. This statement
clarified the type of leadership the Messiah would give. He would
shepherd
my people Israel.
As shepherd of God’s flock, the Messiah’s rule contrasted with
that of Herod. Herod oppressed the people. The Messiah would lift
people toward God. Jesus became a new kind of King who ruled in
the hearts of people instead of over
them.
The
Jewish religious leaders, then, knew the truth about the Messiah.
They conveyed this information to Herod, but Herod and the leaders
closed their hearts to Jesus.
How do you account for the religious leaders being so well-versed in
the Scriptures yet missing the arrival of the Messiah? How does the
same thing happen today?
C.
The
plot
(Matt. 2:7-8)
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.”
VERSES
7-8
Herod
got information about the Messiah from the religious leaders, but
they did not possess all the details Herod needed to find the threat.
He anticipated that the wise men could fill in the final pieces of
the puzzle. So Herod summoned
the wise men secretly.
He questioned them as to the timing of the star. This tidbit might
help him narrow down the Child’s age.
Herod’s
investigation uncovered Bethlehem as the location the wise men
sought. He provided this news to them in hopes that they might assist
him with his plan. The wise men came to Jerusalem through their
observation of the heavens. They made it the final few miles to
Bethlehem, though, because of information that came from Scripture
through Herod.
The
wise men received orders from Herod to “Go
and search diligently for the child”
and then to report back to Herod with their findings. He considered
this information swap an even trade. Herod revealed his deceptive
spirit, however, when he told the wise men he wanted to come
and worship him.
Herod
never intended to worship the Child. In hindsight, we know that his
purpose was to remove the threat to his rule. We do not know how long
the wise men remained in Jerusalem before they traveled to Bethlehem.
However, they never returned to report. They went home by another
route (v. 12). History affirms the wisdom of that decision. In
Herod’s rage, he massacred all male children two years old and
under (v. 16).
What
current events expose efforts to undermine the role of Christ and
Christians in our culture? How should Christians respond to those
situations?
D.
The
presentation
(Matt. 2:9-12)
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.
VERSE
9
The
magi took the evidence Herod provided and went
on their way.
As they set out on the journey, a familiar sight reappeared in the
sky. The star
that formerly alerted them to a special event now went
before them.
Apparently the star became more specific in its direction. The
original appearance could have been a scientifically explainable
occurrence. But the direct guidance provided on the second leg of
their journey signaled a supernatural event.
The
star came
to rest over the place where the child was.
It led them not only to Bethlehem but to the specific dwelling in
which Jesus resided. The approval of God rested on these non-Jews.
Ironically, the religious leaders in Jerusalem had no interest in
Jesus. They knew about the possibility of a Messiah but remained so
wrapped up in their own religious practice that they missed God’s
initial revelation of Christ.
VERSE
10
Somehow
this star conveyed to the wise men a special work of God. They
rejoiced
exceedingly with great joy
when they saw
the star.
Apparently the star’s presence spurred them to a unique spiritual
encounter with God. It lifted their spirits with the reality that
they were on the right track. Did they realize that they were about
to experience the fulfillment that comes from the completion of a
divinely approved objective? This exhausting trek brought them to
something that held a meaning higher than they ever expected.
VERSES
11-12
The
star led the wise men to the house
where the family lived. By this time, possibly as much as two years
after Jesus’ birth, the family had found a permanent place to
reside. The magi laid eyes on the child,
a term that identified one older than a newborn. They fell on their
knees and worshiped
him.
That they fell
down
reveals the humility with which they undertook this endeavor. With
reverent worship the magi acknowledged Jesus’ divine nature. This
worship of the Messiah by Gentiles highlights one of the
incongruities of Jesus’ coming. These Gentiles adored a Jewish
Messiah. The Jews, however, refused to see Him in that role.
Tradition
dictated that gifts be offered by persons granted access to royalty.
The wise men traveled with treasures
or valuable items. They offered
him gifts. Matthew
mentioned three gifts. That cannot, however, support a conclusion
that three wise men sought Jesus.
Note
the suitability of the gifts for Jesus. Gold
was
a commodity universally associated with royalty. Frankincense,
a fragrant gummy substance, was used by priests in worship. Myrrh,
also a gummy material used in perfumes, often depicted suffering or
human weakness. Presentation of these gifts augmented the wise men’s
worship. The gifts possibly served as a resource to aid in survival
of the ordeal the family faced when they fled to Egypt (Matt.
2:13-15).
The
wise men received a warning in a dream
not to report back to Herod as he demanded. Scripture often depicts
dreams as a method by which God conveys His will. The magi exhibited
spiritual sensitivity. They went back home by
another way.
They did not return to Jerusalem and Herod.
Could
the choice of an alternate route carry a subtle message intended by
Matthew? When you choose to follow Jesus, you often travel a path
contrary to what others expect.
What challenge does this passage bring to you about the correlation
between worship and gift-giving? What gifts do you have to offer out
of the treasures of your life?
KEY
DOCTRINE
God
To
God we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.
BIBLE
SKILL
Create
a compare/contrast chart to study a passage.
On
one side of the vertical line, identify words and phrases that
describe Herod’s attitude and actions toward Jesus. On the other
side, note words and phrases that describe the wise man’s attitude
and actions toward Jesus.
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