Matthew 2:7-12

Matthew 2:7-12

Then, after Herod had secretly called the magi, he ascertained from them the precise timing of the star that appeared.  And after sending them to Bethlehem he said, “After being on your way, inquire diligently regarding the young child.  As soon as you should find him, report to me in order that after I also come I should worship Him.”  And the ones who listened to the king went on their way and behold!  A star – which they saw in the east – was leading them until it came to stand over the place where the child was.  And after seeing the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And after coming into the house they saw the young child with Mary His mother.  And after falling down before Him they worshipped Him and after opening the boxes that contained their treasures they presented the gifts to Him: gold and frankincense and myrrh.  And after being warned according to a dream to not return to Herod, they went back through another way into their own land.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here we have a great insight into one side of the human heart.  In Herod we see a man who is only thinking of himself.  He wants to remain in control.  He doesn’t want to lose his kingdom.  He doesn’t want to share.  He doesn’t want a rival.  He doesn’t want the general populace to get wind of any idea that God’s Messiah might have come.  So he lies in order to help get his way.  Herod lies and tells the magi that he wants to come and worship.  Tomorrow we’ll get confirmation of Herod’s murderous intent in this lie.  What is the shadow side of the human heart?  Jealousy, envy, greed, and self-service.  In Herod we see the dark side of the human heart.  Herod will do anything – moral or immoral – to keep what he already has.

Where have you experienced the dark side of a human being that was willing to do anything to remain in power and control?  Where have you been willing to do anything immoral to keep the life you knew?

Second Thought:

On the other hand, we see the bright side of humanity in the magi.  They listen to Herod.  They go on their way.  They listen to the warning to not go back to Herod.  But most importantly they come before this young child and worship.  These Gentiles are innocent in their coming and leave blessed, having seen God’s Messiah.  They are content to come into the presence of God and worship Him.  There is no sense of self-gain.  The magi don’t try and use Jesus for their own means.  They simply come and worship.  They give gifts to Jesus – gifts that had truly already been given to them by God.  In the magi we find Gentiles who come before God in a far superior manner than God’s own chosen people.

When have you experienced people living in God’s own image like the magi?  When have you been able to live in this manner?

Third Thought:

Perhaps you’ve already heard what I’m going to talk about in this third point.  But in case you haven’t, I want to talk about the gifts that these magi bring.  (Oh, and as I was reminded in a commentary as I was studying this passage, remember that these are magi – wise men – not kings.)

• Gold: a gift for one who is to be king.  Gold identifies Jesus’ royal nature.
• Frankincense: a gift for one who is to be priest.  Frankincense was the spice usually burned as incense in temples.
• Myrrh: a gift for one who is to die.  Myrrh was one of the chief spices that were used when burying a dead body as it would help embalm the body and help cover over the smell of decomposition.

Jesus was born to be king.  He was born to be our priest.  And He was born to die.  This message is clear from the time when Jesus was still a young child crawling and beginning to walk around his mother’s feet.

Why are these three gifts important to the whole story?  How does this show the omnipotence of God to even be able to speak His purpose for Christ through the gifts of men who couldn’t possibly know the symbolism?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 2:13-15