SEEKING THE SAVIOR

DECEMBER 23, 2012

1. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? (MATTHEW 2:1-2) 

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

• Ancient sources help us trace the wise men among Medes, Persians, Babylonians, Samaritans, and others. 
• The name magi was given to the Medes and Persians who studied the stars. 
• They were probably wise men in who were astrologers, and interpreted a rising star as a sign that a king had been born. 
• We know very little about these wise men.
• The best course of action is to strictly adhere to the Scriptural text and to agree that these magi came from "the east."  

2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.

NASB  

• Not for a moment did the wise men express any doubt to the fact of the recent birth of the One whom they call "the King of the Jews." 
• For them the birth was real and the title was true. 
• The only question they had was, "Where is He?" 
• Interestingly, those seeking the King of the Jews were not Jews themselves. 
• The purpose of the star was to lead people so that they might find Jesus. 
• It was visible evidence that God's promises were being fulfilled.  

Numbers 24:17
17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob,
And a scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
NASB
 

• They may have linked Numbers 24:17 with the appearance of a literal star announcing the birth of the King of the Jews. 
• The wise men studied Scripture and history and astrology and other things, and God quickened their interest to seek the Lord Jesus Christ through the star. 
• He took them as they were and used their interest in Jesus, the Messiah, to bring them bodily to Jesus.   

2. WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVE? (MATTHEW 2:3-8)  

• We learn from the wise men giving gifts to the Christ child that giving is a genuine expression of worship, but more important than what we give is why we give. 
• The gifts we give to the Lord and for the furtherance of His work is not limited to money.   

3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

• It is evident that he was convinced that unless radical measures were taken his worst fears would be realized. 
• It should be remembered that Herod's reign was characterized by unusual acts of cruelty. 
• He murdered his favorite wife, Mariamne, the Maccabean princess. 
• He also murdered his high-priestly brother-in-law, several of his sons, and any others who trouble him. 
• the people of Jerusalem had learned by experienced that there was no end to the wrath and vengefulness of a thoroughly aroused Herod.   

4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born.

• Some believe that this refers to the Sanhedrin, the highest court of the Jews. 
• The "scribes" were those who studied and taught God's law, the experts in Jewish religion. 
• From Herod's point of view, as long as the Sanhedrin did not encroach upon the prerogatives of the Roman government, he did not contest the Sanhedrin's authority as being ultimate in matters strictly religious, civil, and criminal.   

5 And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, 6'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "  7 Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him."    NASB 

• Herod could no more stop Christ at the beginning of His earthly life than Pilate could stop Him at the close. 
• The tomb could not hold His body in Jerusalem, and the swords could not end His childhood in Bethlehem.   

3. HOW WILL YOU REPSOND (MATTHEW 2:9-12) 

9 And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

• Notice that now the wise men knew that God had guided them by two means: the star and His prophetic Word. 
• They knew that they had reached their destination and would very soon pay homage to the Messiah, the King of the Jews whose coming concerned the Gentiles as well. 

 11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

• It is clear that Joseph and his family had left the inn stable, perhaps very soon after the child's birth, certainly before the arrival of the wise men. 
• Also note Matthew's use of the term "child," which can designate a youngster beyond one year of age. 
• Whenever mother and infant are mentioned together (V.11, 13, 14, 20-21), the infant is always mentioned first. 
• The fact that they were Gentiles, not Jews, is significant, for it teaches us that Jesus came to bring salvation to the people of all nations.   

12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.

NASB 

It is not surprising that the magi failed to see what Herod was actually planning. 

But before God, nothing is hidden - so the magi were warned "in a dream not to return to Herod." 

The lives of the wise men were changed after seeing Jesus. 

They even disobeyed a king (Herod) in not reporting back to him.

When a person finds Jesus, their character and conduct are changed forever. 

WHO IS THIS CHRISTMAS CHILD? (MATTHEW 2:13-15) 

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him."  

• Egypt was only about 100 miles away. 
• Many Jews were living there (Jeremiah 43:7, 44:1; Acts 2:10). 
• Egypt was outside Herod's influence. 
• For fulfillment of Hos 11:1 prophecy. 

14 And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt;  

• God used Joseph to protect and to provide for His Son in the flesh, and Joseph was a man who obey God without asking any questions.  

15 and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Out of Egypt did I call My Son."  

NASB 

• As the nation was once called out of Egypt so also will be the Son.