Sunday, January 08, 2006
Jan. 8, 2006 Sermon Notes--Those Magical Magi
Note: this post is based on loose outline sermon notes taken from the pastor. Actual sermon may have varied from what is written here. Unfortunately, no video available for this sermon.
Text: Matthew 2:1-12; see also Luke 10:21-22
Good morning. This past Friday, in many cultures, the coming of the Magi or Wise men was celebrated much the same way we in America do Christmas morning. In Spain and in traditionally Catholic nations, this is common practice. So, today, we are going to look at the coming of the Three Wise Men and discuss any implications for us we can find.
These men are mysterious figures in the Bible, we don't know a terriblly great deal about them, but we know they were probably agnostics from the East. They were wealthy astronomers seeking out answers to the anomalous star they found in their astronomical research. They found the answer in Hebrew prophecy and set forth to the West (for them, anyway) to find this King of the Jews. They probably expected to find him in Jerusalem, the capital, or at least find a festival or celebration in honor of the king. Notice, Christ revealed himself to these wealthy men from the East.
Now, wait a minute, you might be thinking. Just a few weeks ago you referenced Luke 10:21-22, talking about how Christ came not to the wise and the powerful, but to the poor and those like children in their knowledge. You were talking about how wonderful that Christ came to the lowly rather than the wealthy, the effite, the elite. Now you are telling us that He revealed Himself and led these wealthy effite rich guys from the East. Well, yes and no.
First, Christ was talking about those who were "wise in the world" and who had power. These wise men had no such power in Israel. Also, Who should be more knowledgeable and knowing than the religious leaders and the rulers of Israel? Shouldn't they know their own prophecies? Shouldn't they have the heart for searching for the King? See, this is what Christ was talking about in Luke. Often, those religously and politically powerful don't look to Scripture or have their heart on fully on God, they are more concerned with keeping power or securing their place rather than serving their purpose. These were the "wise and wealthy" Christ talked about not appearing to. And He is right. Herod and Co. know nothing when confronted by these three wise men looking for the King of the Jews. "Hey, that's me" says Herod. The wise men say no, and Herod immediately goes into protection mode. Sometimes that happens to our so=called leaders. They care more for perception and their own power than in serving. Such was Herod.
Now, these wise men did not search in a way looking for fame or fortune. They searched with curiosity, with wonder, with reverence for this mystery they found, this new star which led them on their search. They were not looking to find the Christ child to use him, or to influence Him, but to search out One so important that the stars would bend to find Him. Note htey way they approach the weeks old Christ, maybe even up to a year old or so depending on which scholar you listen to. They come to the hosue where Mary and Joe are staying and worshipfully offer gold, myrhh, and incense. We need to come before Christ in such a way as these wise men, because we are like them in many ways. No matter our familiarity, we are still being led by a mysterious star, the star of the Holy Spirit, toward fellowship with the Christ. We are still following the path, and we need to do so as these guys did, with daring, with reverence, with awe and wonder.
We also need to give of the gifts we are given. We need to give the love, the generosity, the concerns that have been given to us by God. We need to give to others as that is akin to giving to Christ. We need to give that kind word, that supportive hug, that special gift, whatever it is, in the name of Christ, and we are giving to that Child. However, we are not giving to a babe in a cradle, but to the grown up, majestic, powerful, awesome King of Kings.
And, as those wise guys gave, so to were they given to. The wise men were given salvation from the wrath of Herod, as they were told to not go back to him. We know Herod would have probably had them killed, so they would not be around to warn Mary and Joe or to spread the word about the Christ being born. So, they experienced salvation when the messenger of God came and told them to take a different route.
So, too, we will experience salvation by coming to the throne, except we are getting not an escape route from a tyrant, but an escape route from a demon to the land of eternal life and fellowship. We will not be escaping, but coming to live forever with Christ, the grown up King of Kings. However, like the wise men, we are led by that star. We need to stay faithful to it, and let it lead us to that kingdom where we may find Christ, not in a town, but in the depths of our hearts, in the sliver of the divine God gives us, and let that grow into a massive fire for Christ. Let our hearts open up and reveal more of Christ to us, let the blinders of the world be removed. Let us be like thsoe wise men, because, as the cliche goes, the Wise Men still seek Him! God bless you all...
Text: Matthew 2:1-12; see also Luke 10:21-22
Good morning. This past Friday, in many cultures, the coming of the Magi or Wise men was celebrated much the same way we in America do Christmas morning. In Spain and in traditionally Catholic nations, this is common practice. So, today, we are going to look at the coming of the Three Wise Men and discuss any implications for us we can find.
These men are mysterious figures in the Bible, we don't know a terriblly great deal about them, but we know they were probably agnostics from the East. They were wealthy astronomers seeking out answers to the anomalous star they found in their astronomical research. They found the answer in Hebrew prophecy and set forth to the West (for them, anyway) to find this King of the Jews. They probably expected to find him in Jerusalem, the capital, or at least find a festival or celebration in honor of the king. Notice, Christ revealed himself to these wealthy men from the East.
Now, wait a minute, you might be thinking. Just a few weeks ago you referenced Luke 10:21-22, talking about how Christ came not to the wise and the powerful, but to the poor and those like children in their knowledge. You were talking about how wonderful that Christ came to the lowly rather than the wealthy, the effite, the elite. Now you are telling us that He revealed Himself and led these wealthy effite rich guys from the East. Well, yes and no.
First, Christ was talking about those who were "wise in the world" and who had power. These wise men had no such power in Israel. Also, Who should be more knowledgeable and knowing than the religious leaders and the rulers of Israel? Shouldn't they know their own prophecies? Shouldn't they have the heart for searching for the King? See, this is what Christ was talking about in Luke. Often, those religously and politically powerful don't look to Scripture or have their heart on fully on God, they are more concerned with keeping power or securing their place rather than serving their purpose. These were the "wise and wealthy" Christ talked about not appearing to. And He is right. Herod and Co. know nothing when confronted by these three wise men looking for the King of the Jews. "Hey, that's me" says Herod. The wise men say no, and Herod immediately goes into protection mode. Sometimes that happens to our so=called leaders. They care more for perception and their own power than in serving. Such was Herod.
Now, these wise men did not search in a way looking for fame or fortune. They searched with curiosity, with wonder, with reverence for this mystery they found, this new star which led them on their search. They were not looking to find the Christ child to use him, or to influence Him, but to search out One so important that the stars would bend to find Him. Note htey way they approach the weeks old Christ, maybe even up to a year old or so depending on which scholar you listen to. They come to the hosue where Mary and Joe are staying and worshipfully offer gold, myrhh, and incense. We need to come before Christ in such a way as these wise men, because we are like them in many ways. No matter our familiarity, we are still being led by a mysterious star, the star of the Holy Spirit, toward fellowship with the Christ. We are still following the path, and we need to do so as these guys did, with daring, with reverence, with awe and wonder.
We also need to give of the gifts we are given. We need to give the love, the generosity, the concerns that have been given to us by God. We need to give to others as that is akin to giving to Christ. We need to give that kind word, that supportive hug, that special gift, whatever it is, in the name of Christ, and we are giving to that Child. However, we are not giving to a babe in a cradle, but to the grown up, majestic, powerful, awesome King of Kings.
And, as those wise guys gave, so to were they given to. The wise men were given salvation from the wrath of Herod, as they were told to not go back to him. We know Herod would have probably had them killed, so they would not be around to warn Mary and Joe or to spread the word about the Christ being born. So, they experienced salvation when the messenger of God came and told them to take a different route.
So, too, we will experience salvation by coming to the throne, except we are getting not an escape route from a tyrant, but an escape route from a demon to the land of eternal life and fellowship. We will not be escaping, but coming to live forever with Christ, the grown up King of Kings. However, like the wise men, we are led by that star. We need to stay faithful to it, and let it lead us to that kingdom where we may find Christ, not in a town, but in the depths of our hearts, in the sliver of the divine God gives us, and let that grow into a massive fire for Christ. Let our hearts open up and reveal more of Christ to us, let the blinders of the world be removed. Let us be like thsoe wise men, because, as the cliche goes, the Wise Men still seek Him! God bless you all...
# posted by Mark : 1:23 PM
