Wise Men Still Seek Him

Pastor Bryan Krauss, Cross Creek Community Church, Dec 29, 2019

 

“Wise Men Still Seek Him”

Daniel 1& 2, Matthew 2:1-12 & selected

 

 

Who were The Real Magi?

 

They were Gentiles; with great devotion to the one true God

 

How did they know about the Christ child?

 

Daniel 1:3-4

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”

 

Daniel 1:6, 17-20

 

Daniel 1:27-30

“Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: 29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.”

 

Daniel 2:47-48

47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.”

 

Numbers 24:17

“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.”

 

 

God can and will use anybody for His Glory.

 

Matthew 2:1-12

 

Cultural Tradition vs Biblical Accuracy

 

There were 3 gifts, not necessarily 3 magi

 

They worshiped Jesus – brought honor to Him

 

Gold – a king or purity

Frankincense – son of God (His spirit) or fragrance of his life

Myrrh – destined to die

 

They followed God’s leading

 

What does this mean for us?

There are no outsiders when it comes to God

 

They are a great example of Worship

 

God still leads us through every step of the journey

 

What is standing between you and Jesus? 

 

So, the magi were men who…

1) Read and believed God’s Word

2) Sought Jesus

3) Recognized the worth of Christ

4) Humbled themselves to worship Jesus

5) Obeyed God rather than man. They were truly wise men!

 

Final Thought: Let’s all follow the example of the Magi, and work through whatever comes between you and the one thing worthy of your worship;