The Wise Worship the King

What is the message of the gospel of Matthew? The Messiah has come. In Matthew 1 we read an account of the birth of Jesus who is described as the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah. He is the promised Messiah and there is no other. Although some people are still waiting for a Messiah, they must realize that the Messiah has come in Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.

In our previous studies we noted from Matthew 1 that Jesus the Messiah was virgin born, meaning he is the Son of God. We also learned that he is the Savior, the one who saves his people from their sins, and that “his people” includes not only Jews but also Gentiles. And, finally, we saw that Jesus is known as Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Looking for the King

In Matthew 2:1-12 we read of people coming to worship Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the newborn king of the Jews. Who were these worshipers? Were they Jewish people coming out to Bethlehem from nearby Jerusalem? No. To our surprise, as we study this chapter, we see that these worshipers were Gentiles from the east.

The first thing, then, that we learn from this passage is that Jesus Christ is to be worshiped by all the peoples of the world. As I have already said, the phrase “his people” includes Gentiles as well as Jews. God’s plan is to save people from all nations. We read about this in Matthew 28:18-20, where King Jesus gives a great commission to his disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” God calls people from all nations; therefore, these Gentiles were called to travel from the east to worship their newborn King.

Born in Bethlehem

Matthew begins his second chapter by stating that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Why did he include this information? He did so because he was interested in writing a history of the life of Jesus, not in fabricating a legend. Therefore, in the second chapter of his gospel he tells us exactly where Jesus was born. But why did he specify Bethlehem in Judea? At that time there was also a Bethlehem in Galilee, in the north of Israel. Jesus was born in the Bethlehem in the south, so Matthew wrote “Bethlehem of Judea” for clarity.

What was Bethlehem like at that time? The name Bethlehem means house of bread. The fertile fields of Bethlehem produced a large amount of grain, and Bethlehem was a granary in which large amounts of grain, which was then made into bread for the nourishment of physical bodies, was stored. And we must note that in God’s ordination Jesus Christ, the living bread who feeds our souls, was born in Bethlehem, the house of bread.

Bethlehem was about five miles south of Jerusalem. There Jacob buried his favorite wife Rachel after she died in childbirth and Boaz tended his grain fields and met and married Ruth, from whom was descended David. There David himself was born and it was the cool waters from the well of Bethlehem that David expressed longing for in 2 Samuel 23. In the fullness of time Jesus Christ, the living water who quenches the spiritual thirst of all peoples of the world, was also born in Bethlehem.

The little town of Bethlehem was destined for glory, and that glory came to it through the birth of the son of David, Jesus Christ the Messiah. This was not a surprise to Jewish scholars who studied the Scriptures diligently. Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, God spoke through the prophet Micah that the shepherd of Israel, the ruler, would come out of Bethlehem in the land of Judea. Thus, it was Jesus who gave glory to Bethlehem, and in the same way he makes glorious everyone who makes room for him.

During the Time of Herod

In his desire to create an accurate historical record, Matthew then recorded the time Jesus was born. He wrote, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod. . .” That is why I said Christianity is based on a historical account, not on a legend. Its foundation is in events that occurred in space and time.

“King Herod” refers to Herod the Great. We can call him Herod the great fox, because Jesus called his son, Herod Antipas, fox in Luke 13:32. Herod the Great was the father of Herod Antipas, with whom Jesus had to do, as well as the father of Herod Philip I, Herod Philip II, and Archaelaus, a brutal king who ruled Judea 4 B.C.-A.D. 6.

Herod the Great was an Edomite, not a Jew. He was the son of Antipater and his Arab wife. Herod was born in 73 B.C. and died in 4 B.C. He began to rule in 40 B.C. when power was conferred upon him by the Roman senate and eventually became the king of all of Palestine. He was wealthy, gifted, cruel, capable, and crafty. He was a shrewd politician and a great builder. In 20 B.C. Herod began to rebuild the second temple, a project that was finished sixty-eight years after his death. Despite his interest in rebuilding the temple, the Jewish people resented Herod because he was an Edomite and a usurper.

Herod was a shrewd politician who did not believe in term limits. He would kill anyone who posed a threat, in reality or in his imagination, to his position. He killed his wife, Mariamne, his mother-in-law, Alexandra, his oldest son, Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander and Aristobulus. He killed his brother-in-law, his uncle and thousands of others to ensure that he and he alone would be the king of Palestine. He killed the male babies of Bethlehem, as we read in this chapter. In fact, Herod decreed in his will that on the day he died his friends should arrest leading citizens of Palestine on trumped up charges and be murdered. Why? He wanted great mourning in the land when he died, and he knew no one would shed a tear for his own death.

It was during the reign of this King Herod the Great that the Magi–the wise men from the east–came to Jerusalem. Possibly around 5 B.C., “during the time of King Herod,” the text says, “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. . .'” And why did these Gentiles come at this time? They came for the singular purpose of worshiping Jesus Christ.

Some Wise Men Seek Him

The Magi were members of the priestly class of Persia, or Babylon, who were educated in philosophy, medicine, general science and dream interpretation. They were the soothsayers of the time, the wise men.

The Bible speaks about wise men of Egypt and Babylon and portrays them as objects of mocking. Why? Although they were continually called upon by the rulers to interpret what the God of Israel was doing, they always failed to do so. They failed Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar. The Bible mocks at their total inability to discern the times and interpret what God was saying.

Yet it seems that some of these wise men, the Magi, had a desire to know the truth about the God of Israel and to search for that truth. Perhaps they were aided in their search by their contact with the Jewish community in the Diaspora in the east. This passage in Matthew 2 shows us that God had chosen the wise men, these Gentiles from the east, to know the truth. He supernaturally guided them to come to Palestine to worship Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the only source of truth.

We can rejoice in God’s choosing these wise men to know him. Let me assure you, no wise man on his own will desire to know the true and living God. In 1 Corinthians God spoke through the apostle Paul about the wise people of the world and what they do. In 1 Corinthians 1:19-19-21 Paul wrote, “For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” And verse 26: “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards. . .” Not many wise men will come to know God. But we must note with great joy that Paul did not say “not any” but “not many.” Here we find that God did choose these wise people, these Magi, the intellectuals of their time, to seek after him.

God Chooses and Guides

As those chosen of God from all eternity to worship Jesus Christ, the wise men were enabled to desire to worship the newborn king of the Jews. They were enabled by God to travel hundreds of miles, making a long and very arduous journey which probably took about a year. They spent much time, money, and energy on their quest to find Christ.

God gave the wise men a supernatural guidance system to lead them to the newborn king. The same God who guided Israel during the exodus from Egypt through the wilderness into the land of promise by the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud now guided these Gentiles to Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews, by a star.

What was this mysterious star? I agree with those who say that all attempts to explain the star as a natural phenomenon are inadequate and a waste of time. Read Matthew 2:9. It says that the star that went before them stood right over the house of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. A conjunction of planets, a supernova phenomenon, a comet phenomenon, or a UFO phenomenon are all inadequate reasons for such an occurrence. This star was a supernatural guidance system, a luminary from God which hung low in the sky and moved ahead of the Magi, leading them first to Jerusalem, then to Bethlehem and, finally, to the very house of King Jesus.

True Wise Men

The Magi were true wise men, not frauds and charlatans like the wise men we read about in other portions of Scripture. How can I say they were wise? These men believed in the revelation of Scripture regarding the King of the Jews and went to great pains to find and worship him. Why? They feared God. As we read in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Truly wise men fear and worship the King. We read about this in Psalm 2:10-12: “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

These wise men feared the Lord. So they traveled all the way from their homes to Jerusalem to inquire about the newborn king. They probably should have continued past Jerusalem, following the star to Bethlehem, but possibly they stopped because they thought the King of the Jews would be found in a major city. And while they were in Jerusalem, Herod heard of their quest: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” they asked. “We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Missionaries from the East

These wise men were really missionaries from the east to the west. What was the news they brought to the city of Jerusalem? Your king is born! We heard the King of the Jews was born, and even though we are Gentiles, we want to worship him. In fact, we came from far away to do so. Where, then, is the King of the Jews?

The Magi were announcing, in other words, that the messianic expectations of the Jews had now been fulfilled in the birth of Christ. No more waiting was necessary. This was the time to rejoice! This was the time spoken about in Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'”

Were the Jews saying this about a mere infant, Jesus? No. God chose some wise men from the east and guided them all the way to Jerusalem, to say to Zion, “Your king is born!” Through these wise men the good news of the gospel was brought to the Jews, to the city of Jerusalem, to the rulers of Jerusalem and to the scholars of Jerusalem. What was the gospel? “Rejoice, O Zion! Your king–the king you were expecting, the king who will shepherd you and deliver you and comfort you and give you peace–has been born! The days of oppression are gone and the days of salvation are here. Rejoice!”

Reaction to Good News

How did the people of Jerusalem react to these missionaries? First, let us look at Herod. The Bible says he was disturbed and upset when he heard these things, and then it adds that all Jerusalem was disturbed with him. Why were the people of Jerusalem disturbed? They knew that when cruel King Herod was distressed, he could do many destructive things. So as the citizens of Jerusalem trembled, Herod gathered together the scholars, the Sanhedrin and asked them, “Tell me, where is the Christ going to be born?” And having studied these things for many years, they readily answered, “Bethlehem of Judea,” five miles south of Jerusalem.

After talking to the scholars, Herod met secretly with the wise men and asked them exactly when they first saw the star. Then he instructed them to go to Bethlehem and make a diligent search for the king, find him, and report back to Herod so that he could worship him also. But did Herod really intend to worship Christ? Oh, no. He was the ruthless one. He wanted to kill him. He is similar to people who come to church and say they want to worship. They might stand up and say, “I received Jesus Christ,” and make vows, but, like Herod, they have another agenda.

Worship or Kill

We are not surprised that Herod was disturbed at the news of Jesus’ birth. Jesus the King comes to disturb and upset us. He disturbs our own comfort so that we can receive his comfort. But how should we react? Should we try to kill Jesus, as Herod did? No. We must fall prostrate before him. When Jesus comes, we must repent and say goodbye to all ideas that are not centered on Jesus Christ. That is what repentance means. We must humble ourselves. We must decrease and he must increase. He alone is Lord, King, and Christ. He alone is God with us and we must recognize him as such. As Psalm 2 says, we need to kiss the Son, lest he be angry with us, and blessed are those who take refuge in him.

Worship or kill. There are only two reactions to Jesus Christ. Herod refused to kiss the Son and so he planned to eliminate Jesus. As I said before, Herod would not tolerate competition, real or perceived. But what about us? Do not some of us do the same thing? Why do you think people do not want to believe in Jesus Christ? Because they will not tolerate competition. But he alone is Lord. Everyone else must humble and adore him.

Herod was the seed of the serpent that we read about in Genesis 3. He would not submit to Jesus Christ and worship him. But God was not afraid of Herod. Salvation is of divine plan and purpose and God alone is sovereign. What he purposes, he performs, and no one can thwart his plan. He does all things according to the counsel of his own will. Nations, kingdoms, and armies are nothing before him. Human power–that of a Pharaoh or a Nebuchadnezzar, let alone a little Idumean old king Herod–is nothing before him. All men are mist, vapor, and grass.

Soon after the birth of Christ, Herod died a wretched death and entered into an eternal destiny of distress. Why? He refused to believe in Jesus and worship him.

The Insouciant Sanhedrin

How did the Sanhedrin react to the news of the wise men that Jesus was born? The members of the Sanhedrin were great scholars who diligently studied the scriptures. When Herod asked them where the Messiah would be born, they instantly gave the correct answer based on their understanding of the scriptures, and I am sure Herod was impressed by their great knowledge.

But the orthodoxy of these professional scholars did not save them. They had no real interest in the newborn King of the Jews. They earned their living by sitting around and discussing theology in a theoretical way, but they had no use for Jesus Christ. They knew the wise men of the east traveled a long way to Palestine, guided supernaturally by a star, but they would not go with them even five miles to Bethlehem to worship the King that the wise men had traveled so far to see. They refused to believe in the gospel message brought to them by the Gentile wise men. They would not repent and humble. They would not fall down and worship. They would not kiss the Son. Why? Like Herod, they were destined for destruction. Their unbelief and indifference proved their miserable destiny.

The First Shall Be Last

In Matthew 19 and 20, Jesus said twice that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. This is the biblical order. Herod the king and the Jewish scholars, those who had all the benefits of Israel, were last.

Jesus came to his own people, but John says, “his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). Oh, these scholars searched and studied the Scriptures diligently but they missed their clear message. What is it? That God would send a Messiah, and that was Jesus, the son of David, the son of Abraham, the son of God; Jesus, who is Immanuel, the Savior of the world; Jesus, who saves his people from their sins.

In Matthew 12:41-42 Jesus spoke about his unbelieving generation: “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it. . .” The men of Nineveh were Gentiles, but, notice, “they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” The wise men of the east came all the way to worship him who is wiser than all.

The Wise Worship the King

Finally the Magi reached the end of their long journey. The star guided them to the very place where Jesus, Joseph and Mary lived. God did not need the Sanhedrin to guide the Magi. They began their trip with the star and ended it with the star. The star stopped over the home of the newborn King, which was now a house, not a cave.

The wise men entered the house and saw the child and his mother Mary, and, notice, the child is mentioned first. Why? He is the one who is emphasized. What did the wise men do when they came in? They fell face down before the child and worshiped him.

How do we react when we meet Jesus? Oh, many of us do not want to fall down. We want to sit on our throne and rule until the wrath of this One flares up. We do not want him to upset or disturb us. We are like Caiaphas who also did not want to be disturbed by Jesus. What was Caiaphas’ solution? “Let’s eliminate him,” he said.

But these Gentiles from the east went into the house, fell down, and worshiped Jesus. Notice, they did not worship Mary. Mary herself must worship Jesus. He alone is the King, the Savior, the Christ. He alone is Immanuel, the Son of God. He alone is to be worshiped.

Genuine Worship Is Costly

Not only did the Magi fall down in worship and adoration, but they also gave gifts to the child. This was genuine worship. It had already cost them much–a long journey, long-term suffering during the journey and one year of time. But the wise men loved this King of the Jews so much that now, in addition to what they had already given in terms of time and effort, they joyfully presented him with gifts that had also cost them much: gold and frankincense, fit for a king who is God, and myrrh, fit for a one who is destined to suffer.

Genuine worship is costly. Do you remember when David was given a chance to sacrifice for God without spending any money? We read about it in 2 Samuel 24. What did David say? “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24). In other words, David was saying that he would not sacrifice unless it cost him something–not to buy his salvation, but in thankfulness to God for saving him.

In John 12 we read about Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who sat at the feet of Jesus and believed in him as her Savior. During a dinner given for Jesus, she came with a pint of pure nard–an expensive perfume–broke the bottle and poured it all at the feet of Jesus. This is costly worship. Those who worship Jesus delight to give to him extravagantly in thankfulness for their salvation.

These wise men came seeking him who was born King of the Jews and Savior of the world. They met him, worshiped him, and loved him. And in so doing, these Gentiles joined the company of Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds, and other Jewish believers. They sought, they found, and they were glad.

The Destiny of Fools

What are you seeking with all your heart? Most people are seeking money, fame, power, and pleasure. In this country we are committed to the pursuit of happiness and most of us are trying to get it one way or another. But Jesus Christ, this one who was born King of the Jews, told his disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness.

Are you like Herod, not believing in term limits, desiring to stay in power no matter what, and eliminating everyone you can, including Jesus? If so, you will die a wretched death and enter into an eternity of distress. Are you like the scribes, always studying the Bible, always talking about theology, yet completely indifferent to the greatest news ever told and not even going five miles to find out if it is true? This is hardheartedness.

What was the end of these people? Herod died and entered into his destiny of eternal distress. The scribes experienced the same. They thought they were wise and powerful, but they were fools. As we read in Psalm 36, fools have no fear of God before their eyes.

The Destiny of the Wise

What are you seeking? Do you realize that the King of the Jews has been born? Salvation is of the Jews, and in this King all the families of the earth will be blessed. Why? Not only has he been born, but he died for our sins and rose for our justification. Therefore, let us get up from our thrones, join the wise men of the east, fall down, and worship Christ. “O come, let us adore him!”

What if you cannot bring expensive gold, frankincense or myrrh? That does not matter. God owns it all already and he gives us these things. You must realize that salvation is rich and free. As John Newton wrote, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!” You may not be able to bring gold, frankincense or myrrh to this King, but you can give him your heart as a gift and love him with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Kiss this Son and rejoice in his great salvation!

Let me ask you: Are you wise? Then fear the Lord, because those who are truly wise will worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. A day is coming soon called the day of the Lord, and on that day “every knee [shall] bow. . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). I urge you to bow your knee now and you shall be saved. Amen.