Wise Men

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Text: Matthew 2:1-12

This morning I want to enter into the lives of these heathen wise men, so we can get an understanding of what a search for eternal life, and the LORD look like for a soul. God classifies them as wise men. “Wise Men” is not an official title, it is how God described an entourage of heathen Gentiles looking for Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews.

What’s not obvious to us is that this record of these wise men is an indictment against Matthew’s own nation of Israel. The people closest to God weren’t even looking for the LORD. But heathen Gentiles from across the continent were willing to give up their lives in their country for a while in order to find Jesus Christ. In fact, much of what Matthew writes is goading his own nation and pointing out heathen people that had more sense about the LORD than God’s own people, Israel.

Search through study

• These men had prior knowledge of the salvation that would come.
• Their search for the kingdom of God took on the form of searching for the LORD as a child. They know what they’re looking for; they know who they’re looking for; and they know generally where he’ll be found.
• John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Search by following direction

• If you found Jesus Christ and have eternal life, it’s because you looked diligently for it.
• Like Hide N Seek, the search is an activity. Search is not a passive thing. These wise men conducted a search that was costly, dangerous, faithful, and required dedication.
• Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
• Continuance in well-doing
  • When maligned I’m going to shut my mouth and LOOK for the Lord to work things out.
  • When I want to react I’m going to calm down, not react and LOOK for the Lord to enter in.
• Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Noble search

• Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. Nobility is the honor of kings.
• Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Why noble? Because they searched the matters out. These Berean Jews were nobler because they had ready minds and made diligent searches of the scriptures.
• Does anyone remember Jacque Cousteau? His search beneath the oceans and discovery of creatures was legendary. Discovery brings honor. People’s names get attached to discoveries in science, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and medicine.
• Diamonds, gold, nor silver are found laying around in the street. They must be discovered in the rock. They must be mined out. Oil, fuel, is not on tap. It is drilled for and the search is costly and dangerous, but when it’s discovered it’s very valuable.
• God honored their search
  • The direction from the scriptures. Everything about their search said God is in this endeavor. The LORD is honoring this diligent search. The LORD rewarded their search.
  • The star that led them directly to the LORD.
  • Their encounter with Herod was safe.
  • The warning about Herod wanting to arrest them.

Costly search

• These men said we want to worship the LORD, but there is too much distance between us. That distance became their responsibility.
• The cost of their search was…
  • Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the unknown travels ahead.
  • Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the personal cost to them.
  • Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the time it would take to find the Lord.
• Worshipping Jesus Christ was greater than the distance they would have to travel.
• Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
• The joy of the Lord was their strength (vss 9-10). It helped them overcome obstacles like strength will do.
• Not only was the journey costly, but their offerings were as well
  • Wise men offer offerings that meant something to them (vs 11)
  • They brought costly goods to the Lord Jesus Christ.

What’s Jesus worth to you?