Bible Book: Matthew 2
Author: Franklin L. Kirksey
Subject: Christmas; Birth of Christ; The Redeemer
Objective:
Introduction
The second chapter of Matthew reveals a message for all seasons. Even though it is usually only read during the Christmas season. It tells about the Messiah, the magi and the monarch.
I. The Sign Of The Messiah
In this account we discover the sign of the Messiah, which is a star. Verse two makes it clear that it was "His star." The Messiah's association with a star is clearly seen throughout the Scripture.
Numbers 24:17 prophetically names our Lord Jesus "a Star" and "a Scepter." Malachi calls Him "the Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) and Psalm 84:11 says, "the Lord God is a sun and a shield." Jesus is called "the morning star" in 2 Peter 1:19 and "the Bright and Morning Star" in Revelation 22:16. Metaphorically, Jesus is called a Star and the Sun and spiritually, He is "the Light of the world" (John 1:9; 8:12). Isaiah 60:19-20, Revelation 21:23 and 22:5 remind us that there will one day be no need for the lights in the heavens because Jesus will be the light.
Genesis 1:14 explains, "Then God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years."
Joseph A. Seiss and E.W. Bullinger explain their theory that the gospel is in the stars in "The Gospel in the Stars" and "The Witness of the Stars."
Men like D. James Kennedy, Ph.D. in "The Real Meaning of the Zodiac" and Dr. Henry M. Morris in "The Long War Against God" have carried this theory into the twenty first century. While we cannot be dogmatic about this theory, it is absolutely true that a star appeared as a sign to direct the magi to the Messiah.
II. The Sojourn Of The Magi
Some refer to these magi as "astrologers." In The Believer's Study Bible, Dr. W. A. Criswell explains: "Astrology presupposes that the stars impact the destiny of human life, and therefore are to be worshiped and studied." No doubt these magi studied the stars, but we have no Scriptural record that they worshiped them.
The magi came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and for this reason, many assume there were only three magi named Melchior, Balthasar and Gaspar. Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933) wrote about a fictional character named "Artaban the Median, of the city of Ecbatana," in his book titled "The Story of the Other Wise Man." In this tale Artaban, the fourth wise man, emphatically stated,
"I am going to Jerusalem in search of one who is to be born King of the Jews, a great Prince and Deliverer for all men."
According to the Biblical account the sojourn of the magi took some interesting twists and turns. For example, when they arrived at Jerusalem they received further information from the chief priests and scribes from the Scriptures; especially Micah 5:2, which says, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." John writes "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" (John 7:42) From Matthew 2:9-10 we learn that the star appeared again over the exact location of the Christ Child. After the wise men worshiped Jesus they were divinely warned (v. 12) not to be deceived by Herod and returned home a different way.
III. The Scheme Of the Monarch
The Messiah came during the days of Herod the king. King Herod attempted to determine exactly when the child was born and then to have all the male children of that age killed. Like Solomon (1 Kings 2), Herod simply sought to remove all rivals to the throne. We see the scheme of the monarch as it unfolds in the second chapter of Matthew: Herod lied (vv. 7-8); Herod tried (vv. 16-18) and Herod died (v. 19a).
Conclusion
There are some who attempt to take "Christ" out of "Christmas" and to transform every meaningful spiritual holy day into a mere secular holiday. Unlike the monarch who feigned a desire to worship Jesus, may we like the magi truly worship Jesus Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords! As John Francis Wade so ably expresses in his hymn titled Adeste Fideles: "O Come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
