What Did They Come To Do?
All of our lives, we have heard the story of the Three Kings or the Three Magi. Since we were small children, we knew about the Three Kings who traveled from the Orient to visit the Baby Jesus, bringing Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If you grew up in the Church, you probably hoped to be chosen one day as one of the kings to act in the annual reenactment of the First Christmas.
We could say to ourselves, “I guess that we ought to hear at least one sermon each year about the Three Kings!” On the other hand, we probably should say something more like, “The story of the Three Kings is in the Bible; God put the story there; God has His reasons for including it for us; maybe we should learn something from it!” So, let’s go back to a well-loved story to hear what God might want to show us from it.
Matthew 2:1 starts, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king,” This is NOT the story of Jesus’ birth, because it says, “Now after Jesus was born.” (The story of Jesus’ birth is found in Luke 2.) However, there are three clear facts of history given here: (1) Jesus was born, (2) in Bethlehem of Judea and (3) in the days of Herod the king. Each of us were (1) born, (2) in a geographical place and (3) in a moment of history. I know that all of you were born! Where were you born and what date? Jesus was born, in a specific location and during the reign of a significant historical figure. Everyone who read this story, remembered King Herod.
Let me remind you about Herod. This was Herod the Great, the first of a family of Herods. The Jewish historian Josephus, who lived after Jesus’ time on earth, wrote quite a few books about Herod and his sons. Herod the Great was known for his cruelty: he had his second wife executed, and his brother-in-law and his first three sons were all executed for conspiring against him. Additionally, he executed at least 45 members of the Sanhedrin as well. Furthermore, we know from Matthew 2:16-18 about his command to kill all the baby boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem.
Verse 1 continues, “behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.” Magi were people who studied prophecies and histories of ancient times. There are some historians who think that Daniel established a school of prophets in Babylonia and Persia during his lifetime. This is especially noteworthy when we remember that the final six chapters of the Old Testament book of Daniel is dedicated to prophecies about future kingdoms and the Messiah. It seems quite possible that people who were trained to study prophecies and histories of the countries in the region would be interested in the birth of Jesus the Messiah.
However, it is in verse 2 that the story turns to its proper focus. “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) “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (NIV) “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” (NLT) These are surprising words for several reasons. A king is usually a prince before he is a king. Princes are born, but this question points to a newborn king! Is this a display of His power? He was born a king – a king who did not need to be crowned and invested with a kingdom and power. Also, the magi state His birth as a fact: they knew that He had been born; they wanted to know where He was. They knew that He had arrived.
Furthermore, the magi state as their reasoning for knowing of this birth because “we saw His star in the east.” His star was the proof they needed, in order to know that He had been born and in order for them to begin their journey. His star! A star is not a normal birth announcement. It’s not a video clip on Facebook or a gender reveal for YouTube. A star is a celestial body. In this case, it is clearly a SIGN in the SKY. Mary and Joseph could never do this. Only the Creator of the heavens could do this!! (Isaiah 40:26; Genesis 1:16; Psalm 147:4; 33:6; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 45:12)
“And (we) have come to worship Him.” Now we clearly see the purpose of the journey of the magi. We see their motive, their desire and what they want to accomplish. These magi did NOT stay in their libraries, in their comfortable houses, in their own country. They made the journey because they planned to WORSHIP this newborn baby. The magi knew that He was supposed to be worshiped and they came to do just that!
Maybe this is a good moment for us to ask WHY we come to a church building? Why do we come and what do we do here? Is it to pass the time with close friends? Is it to be encouraged, and to feel better, and to feel solidarity with others? These are good motives. But they would be good motives to form a social club, too, or a fraternal organization. The magi made the trip to worship the Child Jesus! They knew that He was to be worshiped. In Matthew 4:10, the command is clear: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Worship should be for God alone. Only God should receive worship and service. The magi understood this.
Let’s jump to verses 9-11 - 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Here we see supernatural actions of the star: the star… (1) went on ahead of them (2) until it came to a stop (3) over the place where the Child was to be found. The star – a sign in the sky created by God – showed the magi the place where the Child was. Verse 10: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” The magi were clearly paying attention and following directions.
Verse 11 – “they came into the house, they saw the Child… and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” They arrived, entered, saw the Child Jesus and they humbled themselves and worshiped Him. THEN, they opened their treasures and gave Him gifts. They worshiped Him and then served Him (just like Matthew 4:10 said, “Worship… serve Him…”).
We should note that they came with a purpose and that they came prepared. They had studied the prophecies (such as Numbers 24:17 that talks about a star announcing a coming king). They made the journey – did more than just read the words. They dedicated time to this purpose. They testified to King Herod about this new divine king, clearly disturbing his reign (verse 3). They persevered and made it to Bethlehem. They completed their purpose: they worshiped the Child: they gave Him honor and reverence.
They worshiped first by bowing down – magi, probably with rich, beautiful clothes, humbling themselves before a Child. They literally “kissed the ground in front of” Him (the word for worship in the Greek, proskuneo, means to kiss the ground in front of someone). I don’t think we, today, would ever do that for anyone!! Not even our beloved sports heroes! Then, the magi continued their worship by offering evidence of their worship through the giving of their treasures to the Child Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
How can we worship like the magi? How can we follow their example to honor our King?
We can honor Jesus with our treasures. Will the records of our purchases honor Him? Does Amazon know who we worship? We can honor Jesus with our abilities. We can make serving Him our purpose and motive. We can sacrifice our time. We can dedicate our energies and actions to the things that honor Him. We can clearly testify that He is alive! We can follow His guidance. We can do the things that He would want us do.
Who is the most famous person that you ever met? Was it a bit like “worship” on your part? What did you do for them or with them? What would you do for them? Did the most famous person that you ever met actually seek you to be with you? Were they genuinely interested in spending time with you? Probably not.
On the other hand, we have a great privilege to worship the King!
Emmanuel (“God with us”) is a name that we see connected scripturally with Child (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus came to earth to be with us (John 1:14). His Holy Spirit now lives in us (John 14:17).
Dr. Timothy E. McKeithen, NBC Director Hispanic Pastoral Ministries Program
Published: 01/28/2022
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