Sermon: One Starry Night by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: January 6, 2019
Epiphany/Three Kings Day
Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon:
Who were the Magi?
The Wisemen, or Magi, were a priestly caste among the Persians and Medes. Other than religion, they studied nature, medicine, and, especially, astrology. The Magi were also interested in dream interpretation, the study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic.
As Gentiles, the Magi would not have ascribed to Jewish theology, but due to their interest sacred writings as well as their interactions with the Jews in Babylon, they would have been aware of OT prophecy. They may have known of Balaam’s messianic prophecy from Numbers 24:17 that states: “…a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (ESV).
The Star
Throughout the ancient Near East, the births of extraordinary people were believed to coincide with astrological phenomena. Therefore, when a traveling Star appeared over Jerusalem, the Magi believed that what they had studied of OT prophecy about a Messiah was coming true or being fulfilled.
Herod the Great
Herod the Great was called “great” for a reason. The first 24 years of his reign were successful. He established peace and provided an increase in jobs. Herod the Great was a builder with several major building projects, including making the temple more magnificent than even Solomon did. Herod the Great had the love and support of many of the Jewish groups early in his reign as well as the backing of Rome.
Herod was the king of the Jews, and the last nine years of his reign were bloodier and less glorious then his earlier reign. There were family disputes, political intrigue, a rise in executions, etc. He became paranoid about someone taking the throne from him. He was so paranoid that he had his own wife and sons executed. Therefore, when the Magi came to him and told him that they were seeking the King of the Jews, it was not surprising that he overreacted by executing all boys 2 and under. Another reason that he would have been concerned is that Herod was not from the line of King David. Anyone from the line of David would have been a credible rival to the throne and a direct threat to Herod’s rule.
Responses
When the Magi told Herod what they were doing there and who they were looking for, he was disturbed by it and called for the Jewish priests and scribes to inquire about the messianic prophecies, specifically where the Messiah was to be born. The Jewish priests and scribes quoted Micah 5:2 to Herod, which states:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.” (ESV)
When Jesus was born, it is interesting the reactions of the people to his birth. Herod felt threatened by Jesus and opposed him to the point of trying to eliminate him as he had done others who were real or perceived as threats to him. The Jewish priests and scribes, who were expecting a Messiah, chose to ignore Jesus. They knew the Scriptures, and they pointed others to the Messiah. Yet, they did not go find out the truth for themselves. It was the Magi, the Gentiles, who sought out the Messiah.
When the Magi found the baby Jesus, they gave the baby Jesus three gifts. The first was gold. The second was frankincense, which was the only incense allowed on the altar. The third gift was myrrh which was used in incense, perfume, and as a stimulant tonic. These were expensive gifts, and typically, they were reserved for important people. It is thought they were used to fund Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt.
The other response of the Magi was that they fell down and worshipped Him. Up until this point, the people who recognized Jesus as the Messiah and worshipped Him had been Jews, Simeon, Anna, the Shepherds, and so on. Here we have a contrast between Jews and Gentiles, and it is the Gentiles who are worshipping Jesus. This is yet another element of the circumstances around Jesus’s birth that show that He came for the salvation of all people.
Final Thoughts
So, how will we respond? There are people who oppose Jesus vehemently. They are angry at God. There are people who ignore Jesus. They may know about Him, but they ignore Him all the same. And finally, there are people who worship Him. We may have fallen into one category or the other in various stages of our lives, but what is important is how we choose to respond to Jesus now as well as in the future.
As we start the new year, I want to encourage you to be intentional about how you respond to and spend time with God. May God bless you in this new year.
Further Suggested Study:
Date: January 6, 2019
Epiphany/Three Kings Day
Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon:
Who were the Magi?
The Wisemen, or Magi, were a priestly caste among the Persians and Medes. Other than religion, they studied nature, medicine, and, especially, astrology. The Magi were also interested in dream interpretation, the study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic.
As Gentiles, the Magi would not have ascribed to Jewish theology, but due to their interest sacred writings as well as their interactions with the Jews in Babylon, they would have been aware of OT prophecy. They may have known of Balaam’s messianic prophecy from Numbers 24:17 that states: “…a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (ESV).
The Star
Throughout the ancient Near East, the births of extraordinary people were believed to coincide with astrological phenomena. Therefore, when a traveling Star appeared over Jerusalem, the Magi believed that what they had studied of OT prophecy about a Messiah was coming true or being fulfilled.
Herod the Great
Herod the Great was called “great” for a reason. The first 24 years of his reign were successful. He established peace and provided an increase in jobs. Herod the Great was a builder with several major building projects, including making the temple more magnificent than even Solomon did. Herod the Great had the love and support of many of the Jewish groups early in his reign as well as the backing of Rome.
Herod was the king of the Jews, and the last nine years of his reign were bloodier and less glorious then his earlier reign. There were family disputes, political intrigue, a rise in executions, etc. He became paranoid about someone taking the throne from him. He was so paranoid that he had his own wife and sons executed. Therefore, when the Magi came to him and told him that they were seeking the King of the Jews, it was not surprising that he overreacted by executing all boys 2 and under. Another reason that he would have been concerned is that Herod was not from the line of King David. Anyone from the line of David would have been a credible rival to the throne and a direct threat to Herod’s rule.
Responses
When the Magi told Herod what they were doing there and who they were looking for, he was disturbed by it and called for the Jewish priests and scribes to inquire about the messianic prophecies, specifically where the Messiah was to be born. The Jewish priests and scribes quoted Micah 5:2 to Herod, which states:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.” (ESV)
When Jesus was born, it is interesting the reactions of the people to his birth. Herod felt threatened by Jesus and opposed him to the point of trying to eliminate him as he had done others who were real or perceived as threats to him. The Jewish priests and scribes, who were expecting a Messiah, chose to ignore Jesus. They knew the Scriptures, and they pointed others to the Messiah. Yet, they did not go find out the truth for themselves. It was the Magi, the Gentiles, who sought out the Messiah.
When the Magi found the baby Jesus, they gave the baby Jesus three gifts. The first was gold. The second was frankincense, which was the only incense allowed on the altar. The third gift was myrrh which was used in incense, perfume, and as a stimulant tonic. These were expensive gifts, and typically, they were reserved for important people. It is thought they were used to fund Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt.
The other response of the Magi was that they fell down and worshipped Him. Up until this point, the people who recognized Jesus as the Messiah and worshipped Him had been Jews, Simeon, Anna, the Shepherds, and so on. Here we have a contrast between Jews and Gentiles, and it is the Gentiles who are worshipping Jesus. This is yet another element of the circumstances around Jesus’s birth that show that He came for the salvation of all people.
Final Thoughts
So, how will we respond? There are people who oppose Jesus vehemently. They are angry at God. There are people who ignore Jesus. They may know about Him, but they ignore Him all the same. And finally, there are people who worship Him. We may have fallen into one category or the other in various stages of our lives, but what is important is how we choose to respond to Jesus now as well as in the future.
As we start the new year, I want to encourage you to be intentional about how you respond to and spend time with God. May God bless you in this new year.
Further Suggested Study:
- Matthews 2
- Numbers 24
- Micah 5
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