Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Introduction:

There is no greater honor on earth than to be on a journey in life to worship our King. We were created for worship, we were designed to worship, and everything in us wants to worship something.

That’s why we lift up people, places and things. We like to honor stuff because we are creatures that worship. This is why this text is so arresting today, because here we see a glimpse of those who are passionate about worship.

• The wise men in this text were driven to worship • The wise men in this text were motivated to worship • The wise men were excited to worship

And they bring for us an example of what true worship really is.

Background:

The text suggests that Jesus has already made His great dissension into earth. He was born to a little virgin girl named Mary. Her and her Husband were residing in a place called Bethlehem.

There in this little city of Judah, the scripture has been fulfilled. At the same time that scripture has been fulfilled, there are people who are awaiting this fulfillment of the promise of God.

When the wise men come on the scene they come as a snap shot of how we ought to come to worship Jesus. We too ought to come ready, willing and excited to have the privilege to worship Him.

• The wise men knew why they came to worship! • The wise men knew who they came to worship! • They wise men knew the opportunity they had in worship!

The wise men knew this was the greatest King that there ever was and ever would be!

Note:

The one alarming reality of this text is that everyone does not want to worship Christ, the King of Glory.

Within this text there are those that want to destroy Him, and those that want to ignore Him.

Hidden within the meaning of the Passage is another King, who opposes the coming of the true King of all the earth.