Who Were the Wise Men Visiting Jesus?

Series: Christmas in Matthew’s Gospel

Sermon Title: Who Were the Wise Men Visiting Jesus?

Speaker: Sam Rainer

Date: December 15, 2024

 

 

Reflect

  1. Have you ever seen something in the sky or your surroundings that left you curious or confused, like a strange light or an unusual event?
  2. When was the last time you encountered something that didn’t make sense right away? How did it capture your attention or spark your curiosity?

Encounter

  1. What does Matthew 2:1-12 teach us about God’s sovereignty in bringing the magi to Jesus?
  2. How does the reaction of the magi to Jesus contrast with Herod’s response, and what can we learn from these two perspectives?
  3. Why do you think the religious leaders, who knew the Scriptures, showed indifference to Jesus’ birth?

Transform

  1. What steps can you take to ensure you don’t “miss” Jesus in the busyness of life, as some characters in the nativity story did?
  2. Herod and the magi both recognized Jesus as a king but responded differently. How can we move from simply understanding who Jesus is to taking actions that reflect true worship and submission?

Additional Discussion Questions

  1. What does the presence of the magi in the Christmas story tell us about the inclusivity of the gospel message?
  2. How does the wisdom of the magi challenge your perspective on worship and sacrifice?
  3. In what ways can we respond to God’s glory like the magi did, rather than succumbing to fear or indifference?

Interesting Facts and Tidbits

  • The word “magi” is derived from the Greek magoi, referring to a Persian priestly class skilled in astronomy and astrology.
  • The magi likely traveled over 800 miles to see Jesus, a journey that could have taken several months.
  • Herod’s paranoia was well-documented historically; he even executed members of his own family to secure his throne.
  • The “star” guiding the magi has been speculated to be a comet, a conjunction of planets, or a supernatural light symbolizing God’s glory.

Related Passages

  • Daniel 4:7, 5:11 – Shows the influence of Jewish prophecy on the magi during the time of Daniel, potentially preparing them to recognize the Messiah.
  • Isaiah 60:1-6 – Prophesies nations coming to the light of Israel, including a mention of gifts of gold and frankincense.
  • Micah 5:2 – Foretells the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Luke 2:8-20 – Describes the shepherds’ visit to Jesus, contrasting with the magi’s story to show the inclusiveness of the nativity.
  • John 1:9-12 – Speaks of Jesus as the true light, which ties to the magi following the star.

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