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A sermon examining the visit of the magi in Matthew 2.
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I BRING, I BRING RICH
GIFTS TO THEE
Mt 2:1-12
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The common people of Judea could never have brought the magi’s expensive gifts to Jesus.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The common people of Judea could never have brought the magi’s expensive gifts to Jesus.
By today’s standards, the price of these gifts would be $600 (gold), $500 (frankincense), & $4,000 (myrrh) per pound.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The common people of Judea could never have brought the magi’s expensive gifts to Jesus.
By today’s standards, the price of these gifts would be $600 (gold), $500 (frankincense), & $4,000 (myrrh) per pound.
The magi brought to the king of the Jews the greatest things of monetary value in the ancient world.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health. Frankincense was believed to cure everything from
bad breath to skin infections.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health. Frankincense was believed to cure everything from
bad breath to skin infections. Myrrh was used for diaper rash, baldness, obesity, & as
an anesthetic.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health. Frankincense was believed to cure everything from
bad breath to skin infections. Myrrh was used for diaper rash, baldness, obesity, & as
an anesthetic. Gold has long been believed to have healing powers.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health. Frankincense was believed to cure everything from
bad breath to skin infections. Myrrh was used for diaper rash, baldness, obesity, & as
an anesthetic. Gold has long been believed to have healing powers.
Gold injections have been given in recent years as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
These were also the gifts of long life & health. Frankincense was believed to cure everything from
bad breath to skin infections. Myrrh was used for diaper rash, baldness, obesity, & as
an anesthetic. Gold has long been believed to have healing powers.
Gold injections have been given in recent years as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
The magi bring great gifts to Christ.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews. In antiquity, people expected the birth of a king to take
place in a set way.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews. In antiquity, people expected the birth of a king to take
place in a set way. Signs would occur in the heavens.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews. In antiquity, people expected the birth of a king to take
place in a set way. Signs would occur in the heavens. The king would be visited by counselors & given gifts fit
for a king.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews. In antiquity, people expected the birth of a king to take
place in a set way. Signs would occur in the heavens. The king would be visited by counselors & given gifts fit
for a king. The new king would be involved in a power struggle
with a great king.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The importance of these gifts likely has much to do with Matthew’s record of the magi’s visit. Matthew writes to demonstrate that Jesus is the
Messiah, King of the Jews. In antiquity, people expected the birth of a king to take
place in a set way. Signs would occur in the heavens. The king would be visited by counselors & given gifts fit
for a king. The new king would be involved in a power struggle
with a great king.
Matthew writes his Gospel something like an attorney presenting evidence.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi bring gifts only fit for a king in Jesus’ day—gold, frankincense, & myrrh.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi bring gifts only fit for a king in Jesus’ day—gold, frankincense, & myrrh. We can’t give Jesus such gifts today.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi bring gifts only fit for a king in Jesus’ day—gold, frankincense, & myrrh. We can’t give Jesus such gifts today. But, the magi give Jesus three other more important
gifts.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi bring gifts only fit for a king in Jesus’ day—gold, frankincense, & myrrh. We can’t give Jesus such gifts today. But, the magi give Jesus three other more important
gifts.
We can give these same gifts to Jesus.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Gift one: The Gift of Effort
vv 1-2
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
“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, 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” (vv 1-2, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. I was surprised that the ESV retains “wise men.”
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. I was surprised that the ESV retains “wise men.”
The Gr is “magi” from which we get the words “magic” & “magician.”
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. I was surprised that the ESV retains “wise men.”
The Gr is “magi” from which we get the words “magic” & “magician.”
Evidence suggests that they were part of a priestly class in what is modern day Iraq.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. I was surprised that the ESV retains “wise men.”
The Gr is “magi” from which we get the words “magic” & “magician.”
Evidence suggests that they were part of a priestly class in what is modern day Iraq. Kings often consulted magi for their skills in divination,
astrology, magical powers, & predicting the future.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wise men came from the east to Jerusalem. I was surprised that the ESV retains “wise men.”
The Gr is “magi” from which we get the words “magic” & “magician.”
Evidence suggests that they were part of a priestly class in what is modern day Iraq. Kings often consulted magi for their skills in divination,
astrology, magical powers, & predicting the future. Because kings firmly believed heavenly phenomena such as
comets, meteors, etc. were omens, the magi would have been star-gazing.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi come to Jerusalem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi come to Jerusalem. That’s not surprising, for where would they expect to
find the King of the Jews except in Jerusalem?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi come to Jerusalem. That’s not surprising, for where would they expect to
find the King of the Jews except in Jerusalem? Yet, it’s very surprising they come to Jerusalem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi come to Jerusalem. That’s not surprising, for where would they expect to
find the King of the Jews except in Jerusalem? Yet, it’s very surprising they come to Jerusalem.
They have been following the star, get within 6 miles of where Jesus is, & they must ask for directions!
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi come to Jerusalem. That’s not surprising, for where would they expect to
find the King of the Jews except in Jerusalem? Yet, it’s very surprising they come to Jerusalem.
They have been following the star, get within 6 miles of where Jesus is, & they must ask for directions!
After they ask directions, the star starts moving again.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There have been many attempts to fit this star with known scientific fact.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There have been many attempts to fit this star with known scientific fact. Haley’s Comet has often been seen as the star.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There have been many attempts to fit this star with known scientific fact. Haley’s Comet has often been seen as the star. But,
Haley’s Comet appeared in 12 BC, about 6 years too early.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There have been many attempts to fit this star with known scientific fact. Haley’s Comet has often been seen as the star. But,
Haley’s Comet appeared in 12 BC, about 6 years too early.
Jupiter & Saturn appeared together in 7 BC, and Venus & Jupiter converged on August 12, 3 BC.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There have been many attempts to fit this star with known scientific fact. Haley’s Comet has often been seen as the star. But,
Haley’s Comet appeared in 12 BC, about 6 years too early.
Jupiter & Saturn appeared together in 7 BC, and Venus & Jupiter converged on August 12, 3 BC.
In 5-4 BC, the birth of a supernova was visible in that part of the world.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
If the star were some pure astronomical phenomenon, the supernova likely fits best.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
If the star were some pure astronomical phenomenon, the supernova likely fits best. But, we’re not talking about that.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
If the star were some pure astronomical phenomenon, the supernova likely fits best. But, we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about
pagans in Iraq knowing that the Messiah had been born!
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
If the star were some pure astronomical phenomenon, the supernova likely fits best. But, we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about
pagans in Iraq knowing that the Messiah had been born!
If this were some astronomical event, the star could have only been one mile above the ground to lead the magi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem!
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
When the magi arrive in Jerusalem, they inquire about where the King of the Jews had been born.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
When the magi arrive in Jerusalem, they inquire about where the King of the Jews had been born. Herod brings the chief priests & scribes together &
learns from prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
When the magi arrive in Jerusalem, they inquire about where the King of the Jews had been born. Herod brings the chief priests & scribes together &
learns from prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew’s purpose in recording the magi’s needing directions seems to be to demonstrate the two ways God has revealed himself to man.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
When the magi arrive in Jerusalem, they inquire about where the King of the Jews had been born. Herod brings the chief priests & scribes together &
learns from prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew’s purpose in recording the magi’s needing directions seems to be to demonstrate the two ways God has revealed himself to man. In nature—like the star the magi saw.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
When the magi arrive in Jerusalem, they inquire about where the King of the Jews had been born. Herod brings the chief priests & scribes together &
learns from prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew’s purpose in recording the magi’s needing directions seems to be to demonstrate the two ways God has revealed himself to man. In nature—like the star the magi saw. In Scripture—like the prophecy from Micah.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
What do we learn from the magi?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We see that they put forth a lot of effort to find Jesus.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We see that they put forth a lot of effort to find Jesus. If they came from Baghdad, they traveled some 550
miles to Jerusalem—without modern transportation & through a desert.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We see that they put forth a lot of effort to find Jesus. If they came from Baghdad, they traveled some 550
miles to Jerusalem—without modern transportation & through a desert.
When the magi can go no further, they stop & ask directions!
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
How much effort are we willing to put forth to serve the Lord?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
How much effort are we willing to put forth to serve the Lord?
What if we needed to travel 550 miles to worship Jesus?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
God expects us to put forth some effort.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
God expects us to put forth some effort. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
God expects us to put forth some effort. Eph 2:10. “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has
faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Js 2:14-17, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Gift two: The Gift of Worship
vv 9b-11
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
“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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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” (vv 9b-11, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That is certainly possible.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That is certainly possible. Matthew doesn’t even record that Jesus was born in a
stable.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That is certainly possible. Matthew doesn’t even record that Jesus was born in a
stable. Many have believed that Jesus was around two when
this took place since Herod killed the male children two & under.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That’s not the only explanation.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That’s not the only explanation.
Matthew implies the magi went to Bethlehem.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That’s not the only explanation.
Matthew implies the magi went to Bethlehem. The star could have appeared two years before Jesus’
birth & the magi arrive around the time of his birth.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The star led the magi to the place where the child was. I have been taught that the magi could not have gone to
the stable in Bethlehem. That’s not the only explanation.
Matthew implies the magi went to Bethlehem. The star could have appeared two years before Jesus’
birth & the magi arrive around the time of his birth. Justin Martyr said that Joseph & Mark took up
temporary residence in a cave near Bethlehem, a common occurrence in that era.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home. When the magi saw the Christ Child, they fell down &
worshiped.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home. When the magi saw the Christ Child, they fell down &
worshiped. What did the magi understand about Jesus at this
point?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home. When the magi saw the Christ Child, they fell down &
worshiped. What did the magi understand about Jesus at this
point? They knew he was the King of the Jews.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home. When the magi saw the Christ Child, they fell down &
worshiped. What did the magi understand about Jesus at this
point? They knew he was the King of the Jews. Because they learn about his birthplace from prophecy,
they likely understood precisely who Jesus is.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Wherever the family was, the star led the magi to their home. When the magi saw the Christ Child, they fell down &
worshiped. What did the magi understand about Jesus at this
point? They knew he was the King of the Jews. Because they learn about his birthplace from prophecy,
they likely understood precisely who Jesus is. They know that he is greater than they, for they fall
down & worship him.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Jesus often received worship.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Jesus often received worship. When Jesus walked on water & calmed the storm,
“those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Mt 14:33, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Jesus often received worship. When Jesus walked on water & calmed the storm,
“those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Mt 14:33, ESV).
After the Ascension, the apostles “worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Lk 24:51, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
How is our worship of the Christ?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Do we worship as faithfully as we should?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Our hearts need to be attuned to our worship.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Our hearts need to be attuned to our worship. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:24, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Where are our hearts as we worship?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Are we giving Christ the gift of worship?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Gift Three: The Gift of Obedience
v 12
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RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Like Joseph, the magi were instructed to do the right thing.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Like Joseph, the magi were instructed to do the right thing. Herod had every intention of destroying the Christ.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Like Joseph, the magi were instructed to do the right thing. Herod had every intention of destroying the Christ.
Herod told the magi, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him” (2:8, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Like Joseph, the magi were instructed to do the right thing. Herod had every intention of destroying the Christ.
Herod told the magi, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him” (2:8, ESV).
Herod “became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under” (2:16, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Like Joseph, the magi were instructed to do the right thing. Herod had every intention of destroying the Christ. But, God had sent his Christ into the world with a
purpose & he was going to fulfill that purpose.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi get their dream & go home a different direction.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi get their dream & go home a different direction.
Think about the meaning of this obedience.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi get their dream & go home a different direction.
Think about the meaning of this obedience. I know that nothing was going to detract God from
saving mankind.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
The magi get their dream & go home a different direction.
Think about the meaning of this obedience. I know that nothing was going to detract God from
saving mankind. What if the magi had disobeyed their dream & gone
back to Herod?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We, like the magi, need to be those who obey God.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We, like the magi, need to be those who obey God. Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my Father in
heaven is my brother and sisters and mother” (Mt 12:50, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We, like the magi, need to be those who obey God. Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my Father in
heaven is my brother and sisters and mother” (Mt 12:50, ESV).
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17, ESV).
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We must never underestimate the power of our obedience.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
We must never underestimate the power of our obedience.
How is our obedience this morning?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There is great irony here.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There is great irony here. Pagan astrologers (forbidden in Israel) come &
worship the Christ.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
There is great irony here. Pagan astrologers (forbidden in Israel) come &
worship the Christ. The Jews, to whom the Christ came, do not come &
worship him.
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Are we more like the magi or the Jews?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
Are we more like the magi or the Jews?
Do you need to give the Christ the gift of yourself?
I BRING, I BRING
RICH GIFTS TO THEE
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