1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
In leading the magi to Christ, God demonstrated the sincerity of the promise that he would have all men be saved. We rejoice in the visit of the magi, for by it, God enables all of mankind to be included as "the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand."
1. They followed the star
Not following the OT promises, but led by the common expectancy of the star, they came to worship the king.
2. They found the Shepherd King
As a shepherd leads his sheep, so Christ rules and governs over his church, guiding, guarding, sheltering, and feeding. As with a shepherd, he leads the way for us to follow. He lays down his life for the flock. Christ willingly laid down his life as the true king, the perfect high priest, and the savior of all mankind.
3. They offered him gifts
When they found the Christ Child, they offered him their gifts and they worshipped.
gold: the common gift for a king.
frankincense: incense used in worship of God
myrrh: a perfume used in embalming and burial.
4. The departed a different way.
Warned in a dream they returned by another way. Everyone who comes to Christ ought to leave different from the way the came. They need to leave by the way of inner peace, the way to inner strength, the way of joy, and the way of a Chirst-filled life come from leaving different from how we came.
Have you sought the shepherd king, Jesus? Have you found him? Have you been forever changed?
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