Refresco: THE JOURNEY OF THE WISEMEN

Merry Christmas From The Ortega Family

Read: (Matthew 2:1-12)

Research:

(v. 1, 2) Bethlehem is a small town five miles south of Jerusalem. It sits on a high ridge over 2,000 feet above sea level. It is mentioned in more detail in the Gospel of Luke. Luke also explains why Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, rather that in Nazareth, their hometown. Not much is known about these Magi (traditionally called wise men). We don’t know where they came from or how many there were. Tradition says they were men of high position from Parthia, near the site of ancient Babylon. How do they know that the star represented the Messiah? (1) They could have been Jews who remained in Babylon after the exile and knew the Old Testament predictions of the Messiah’s coming. (2) They may have been eastern astrologers who studied ancient manuscripts from around the world. Because of the Jewish exile centuries earlier, they would have had copies of the Old Testament in their land. (3) They may have had a special message from God directing them to the Messiah. Some scholars say these Magi were each from a different land, representing the entire world bowing before Jesus. These men from faraway lands recognized Jesus as the Messiah when most of God’s chosen people in Israel did not. Matthew pictures Jesus as King over the whole world, not just Judea. The Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the king of the Jews. When they finally found him, they responded with joy, worship and gifts. The Magi said they saw Jesus’ star. Some say this star may have been a conjunction of Jupiter. Saturn, and Mars in 6 B.C., and others offer other explanations. But couldn’t God, who created the heavens, have created a special star to signal the arrival of His Son? Whatever the nature of the star, these magi traveled thousands of miles searching for a king, and they found Him.

(v. 3) Herod the Great was quite disturbed when the Magi asked about a newborn king of the Jews because (1) Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore many Jews hated him as a usurper. If Jesus really was an heir, trouble would arise. (2) Herod was ruthless and, because of his many enemies he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him. (3) Herod didn’t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.

(4-6) The chief priest and teachers of the law were aware of (Micah 5:2) and other prophecies about the Messiah. Matthew repeatedly highlighted their knowledge and unbelief. The Magi’s news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3:15). Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political deliverer, like Alexander the Great. Herod’s counselors would have told Herod this. No wonder this ruthless man took no chances and ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem killed (2:16)!

Most religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy; therefore, they believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as foreseen by the prophet Micah seven centuries earlier (Micah 5:2). Ironically, when Jesus was born, these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies. When the Messiah, for who they had been waiting finally came, they didn’t recognize him.

(v. 8) Herod did not want to worship Christ - he was lying. This was a trick to get the Magi to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king. Herod’s plan was to kill Jesus.

(v. 11) Jesus was probably one or two years old when the Magi found him. By this time, Mary and Joseph were married, living in a house, and intending to stay in Bethlehem for a while.

The Magi gave these expensive gifts as worthy acknowledgement for a future king. Bible students have seen in the gifts symbols of Christ’s identity and what he would accomplish. Gold was a gift for royalty; incense, a gift for deity; myrrh a spice for a person who was going to die. These gifts may have provided the financial resources for the trip to Egypt and back.

(v. 12) After finding Jesus and worshipping him, the Magi were warned by God not to return through Jerusalem as they had intended.

Reflect:

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Why was it important that Jesus be born in Bethlehem?
Since the Magi were pagan astrologers, why would they leave everything in order to follow the star?
Notice the responses of the Magi upon seeing Jesus. How is that similar to the response that Christians make to Jesus? How is it different?
What do the star, the Magi, the gifts, the homage, the hostility and the prophecy teach about the significance of Jesus?

Respond:

In what ways has Jesus affected the direction of your life?
Have you recognized Him as your personal Messiah? Why not?
Have you acknowledged Jesus as the rightful King of your life? Why not?
In your journey towards God, how are you like the Magi? Unlike them? Have you had to leave anything to follow Jesus?

Request: Would you offer a simple prayer offering yourself up to Jesus this Christmas season?

Excerpted from: Serendipity Bible & The Life Application Study Bible by Zondervan