The Cast of Christmas Part 3

Matthew 2:1 (NET) 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem….

Numbers 24:17 (NLT) 17 I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. 

1.         Expectant Worship 

Matthew 2:2 (NET) 2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

Penned Truth: They had their hearts set on coming before the Lord Jesus to worship Him.

2.         Expressive Worship

Matthew 2:10–11 (ESV) 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.

Penned Truth: Bible uses emphatic, expressive language, meaning exuberant excitement.

Psalm 47:1 (ESV) 1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 134:2 (ESV) 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!

Defining Fall Down: Means violently and to be shattered. It is the word picture of a building collapsing.

3.         Extravagant Worship.

Matthew 2:11 says, “Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” 

Penned Truth: The Magi’s gifts were extravagant worship to the King of Kings.

Gold- And as it is today, gold was a valued commodity in the ancient world, given to royalty.

Frankincense- An aromatic gum resin still widely used in parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Deity | Lexham Theological Wordbook: The biblical understanding of deity is undergirded by the Jewish belief in one God, Yahweh, to the exclusion of all other beings perceived to be deities by other nations. God is the all-powerful creator of the universe.

Myrrh- A fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. Myrrh was a crucial ingredient in the spices used to prepare bodies for burial.  

Penned Truth: All three gifts reveal thought-provoking implications that relate to Jesus’ life and ministry.

Final Statement: These gifts were the three best resources in all of Persia. The wise men brought their best in worship. Question: Are we bringing our best when we come to worship, or do distractions keep us from devoted worship to the King? Do we go through the motion, not recognizing He is present? Do we do the same in our quiet time or set our minds on things above? Colossians 3:2 (ESV) 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

This Christmas season, will we unclutter our lives to come to the Messiah expectantly? Will we align our hearts with the Wise Men/Magi to express our worship extravagantly? Wise men still seek Him. Will we show great honor to Jesus for being born to die for us?