(Matthew 2:1-12) After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the
east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king
of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When
he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law,
he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they
replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you,
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of
Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people
Israel.'"
Then Herod called the Magi secretly
and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to
Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon
as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had
seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the
child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house,
they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of
incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to
Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
CHRISTMAS ACCORDING TO
THE MAGI
All genuine wisdom recognizes and honors Jesus!
1. Worldly Wisdom
A. God is the source of all real wisdom.
(Isaiah 55:8) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
B. God reveals His wisdom to men.
C. Worldly wisdom that agrees with God’s wisdom can be trusted.
2. Wondering Wisdom
A. Wondering wisdom is genuinely curious.
(Numbers 24:17) I see Him, but not now; I
behold him, but not near. A star will
come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.
(Numbers 24:19) A ruler will come out of
Jacob.
B. Wondering wisdom knows “truth” must have a standard.
C. Wondering wisdom investigates Scripture to see if it’s the standard.
3. Wasted Wisdom
A. It’s wisdom from God to know what Scripture says.
B. Wisdom from God is wasted on me if it doesn’t change me.
4. Worship Wisdom
A. Genuine wisdom worships – JESUS!
(11) On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him.
B. Genuine wisdom worships only Jesus!
C. Genuine wisdom worships by giving to Jesus!