22 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition YOU ASK WHY They Really Were “Wise Men” “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2). It’s one of the iconic images of Christmas, instantly recognizable to Christians and unbelievers alike: three Magi — or “wise men,” as many Bible translations render the Greek word magos — traveling across the desert, following a bright star in the east. The other image of the Magi we immediately think of, of course, is the one Matthew gave us: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). That’s where I’d like to focus our attention as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child: on the wisdom of the Magi. Clearly, these men, who are alternately described as scientists, astrologers or magicians by various commentators, had come to worship a king — an exceptional and extraordinary King, as we’ll see in just a minute. It’s interesting to note that there is no indication that the Magi paid homage to Herod, the king of Judea. In fact, when Herod commanded the Magi to return to Jerusalem and report on the location of “the one who has been born king of the Jews,” they disobeyed him. There is no record that they presented gifts to Herod, a practice common for giving honor to rulers in those days. No, they saved their best — their “treasures” — for the Christ child. The gifts The nature of those gifts is enlightening. Gold was a gift fit for a king, and especially fitting for the King of kings. Frankincense produced a sweet fragrance often used for offerings of worship; most commentators believe frankincense was a recognition of the Child’s divinity; He was both King and Lord — the Lord of lords. I’m reminded of John 1:10-11 - “He [Jesus] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Herod and all Jerusalem were “disturbed” by Jesus (Matthew 2:3); ultimately Jesus would be condemned in a sham trial and executed in Jerusalem. Many of the Jews did not receive Him, yet these Gentile wise men came to worship Him . . . and to prophesy His death. Myrrh was used for embalming bodies. This gift stands in jarring contrast to the gold and frankincense, which were a worshipful celebration of Jesus’ life; the myrrh clearly pointed to His death. The Child Everybody loves babies, particularly those of us who are parents and remember that sudden, almost overwhelming flood of love you feel when you hold your child for the first time. We see nativity scenes every year with the Babe in the manger and his mother gazing adoringly at Him. Did you ever think about what this Child had left behind Him? Some thirty-three years later, with the cross looming just hours away, Jesus would pray, “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). The glory He had in heaven from eternity past . . . The prophet Daniel was given a vision of that glory: “The Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” (Daniel 7:9-10). The Sacrifice Jesus Christ — the King of kings and Lord of lords—left that glory behind and came to earth for you. It wasn’t that He needed our company; He had perfect fellowship with His Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was — and is — perfect, complete, in need of nothing. But He wanted us. He wanted you to be in heaven with Him for all eternity. And so this King who had everything, all glory and honor and praise, set all that aside . . . for you. “Being in very nature God, [Christ Jesus] did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8). What did you do to deserve that? What was it that was special about you? Absolutely nothing. Jesus Christ is perfect . . . righteous . . . sinless. You and I are most definitely not that! The testimony of Scripture is clear and condemning: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:2-3). We are sinners, you and I, and Scripture bluntly warns us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but God. But God! There are no greater two words in the English language. I stand condemned, and rightly so, because of my sin. And so do you. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ left the glorious perfection of heaven to be born in the filth of a stable . . . and to die in agony on a cruel cross . . . because He loves you that much. And that is the reason people the world over celebrate on December 25. Because, as the heavenly chorus exulted, the birth of the Christ child was God’s sure and certain declaration of His “goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:13). The wise men knew this. They understood that the baby they knelt before was like no other that ever was or ever will be. Their gifts prove this! They gave Him their best because they knew that He had come to give His best. They worshipped Him; let us join with them! Glory to God in the highest! Merry Christmas! This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! Dr. Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach (www.thecrosscc.org). He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. - Dr. Tommy Boland - Pastor, Cross Community Church The scene of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ in the manger, receiving gifts from the wise men, gold, frankincense, myrrh
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=