The Thrill of Hope: Week 1, November 25, 2018

There are lots of things about the wise men that we don’t know. 

 

We don’t know how many wise men there were, though tradition teaches us that there were three.  We don’t know their names.  In the sixth century, someone decided that their names were Melchior, Baltazar and Gaspar.  Operas have been written ascribing these names to them.  But no one really knows what their names were.  We don’t know exactly from where they came.  The “east” is a pretty big area.  China?  India?  Babylonia?  We don’t know what their professions were.  Were they kings?  Philosophers?  Astronomers?  

 

There are lots of things about the wise men that we don’t know, but we do know this: they knew how to worship.

 

Three times in this brief passage it refers to their worship.  In verse 2 it says, “We . . . have come to worship him.”  Even evil and envious King Herod recognized that they had a heart to worship.  In verse 8 he hypocritically says, “when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”   Right.  In verse 11 we are told that the wise men, “bowed down and worshiped him.”  Yes, they knew how to worship.  From their example we too can learn to worship.

 

There are three elements of their worship that we will highlight this coming Sunday and that we ought to incorporate into our own worship of God.  We can share in their journey, their joy, and their generosity. 

 

Join us at Istrouma as we celebrate the season with our new Christmas series entitled, “The Thrill of Hope.”

 

The Thrill of Hope

 “Here Come the Wise Men”

Matthew 2:1-12

 

1. Share their journey

 

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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (2:1-2).

 

1. The price of the journey

 

1. The purpose of the journey

 

2. Share their joy

 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother . . . (2:10-11a).

 

1. The celebration of joy

 

1. The child of joy

 

3. Share their generosity

 

. . . and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (2:11b).

 

1. Give Jesus your presents

 

1. Give Jesus your person