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THE MAGI WORSHIP KING JESUS

Matthew 2:1-12
Key Verse 2:2

“…and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’”

When ever I travel, I often encounter people who think I am from some very interesting places. I’ve been called Jewish, South African, Egyptian, and recently I was thought to be half Japanese. However, I am often thought to have Middle Eastern heritage. I was questioned at Narita airport on my way here, and with the current high security climate I wondered if my looks and ethnic profiling had something to do with it. In this passage Matthew presents us with a group of very suspicious men from the east called Magi, who came to worship Jesus the messiah. These magi from the east, made a great effort to travel an incredible distance just to worship Jesus. This account of the magi inspires us to recognize the incredible importance of Jesus’ birth and when we truly understand this, we are all forced to our knees to worship him, just like these wise magi.

Look at verse 1-2. 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Who were these suspicious looking men? Who were these searchers? Who were the Magi? In Koln Germany, at the famous Koln Dome, there is a shrine called the Shrine of the Three Kings. It is said to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi. History tells us that the Magi came from ancient Persia or Babylon, out of a religious cast devoted to astrology. They were scholars, who studied all fields of physical and social science, and they were highly distinguished men of their time. These particular men believed that the physical world of science which we see and touch contains spiritual revelation. They interpreted dreams and foretold the future. As a result, they were advisors to kings and highly respected in their society. Today, we have many ‘wise men and women’. They can foretell the weather and devise machinery that can do things that seem magical. Everyone has the opportunity to study something that interests them. However one thing important that can be learned from these magi is that God’s glory is revealed in his creation. In my case, during my youthful time of question God’s existence, it was through studying physics that I came to the undeniable truth that God’s had to exist. This eventually led me to bible study where I met Jesus and God’s word saved me.

For these magi, these wise men from ancient Babylon, something similar might have happened. Daniel 2:48 says, 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. It may have been that because of their prior Jewish leadership by Daniel these wise men retained some knowledge of God’s word and associated the star to the coming messiah. Despite their background in mysticism, these wise men made a decision to journey over a great distance to find Jesus. Why? Many Japanese I speak to ask me if I’ve seen their temples and what do I think about their religion. Some say that they have their cultural religious beliefs and Christianity is western. So, why was finding Jesus (born king of the Jews) so important to these NON-Jewish men from another country? Some intellectual Japanese tell me about evolution and they have many logical reasons why they are afraid of Christianity. These same intellectuals admit that they go to palm readers and fortunetellers. However the Magi were also highly intelligent scientists. So why was finding Jesus so important to these highly educated and respected scientist?

Let’s read verse 2. “…and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” They were looking for the king of the Jews because they had seen HIS star while they were in the east. They studied the stars. They believed that the stars foretold man’s destiny, and special stars signaled the birth of great men. They had seen a great star, HIS star, the star of a king. Although Herod was king at the time, the magi researched the meaning of this special star. Perhaps through the knowledge retained from Daniel, they might have referred to the Jewish prophesy in Numbers 24:17a. Spoken centuries earlier by Balaam, it says, “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.” Based on Daniel’s life of faith these Babylonian magi knew God’s power. They had experienced it in their history. The seed of faith had been planted in the east. In their research, the Magi realized that the star signaled the birth of the king of the Jews. They understood that this king of the Jews was not just another political king, but the Savior promised by God, and he was to be worshiped. The Magi had mastered various fields of study. They were truth seekers who wanted not only to know the truth, but to follow the truth by acting upon it. When they found that the king of the Jews had been born, they acted. They made a long journey to Jerusalem to find him. Upon finding him, they wanted to respond to the truth of who Jesus was. They want to worship him. They sacrificed a great deal to journey from their own country just to worship Jesus. Worshipping Jesus was priceless to them.

Now, look at verse 3. “When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” Somehow, King Herod heard about the magi’s quest and he was disturbed. King Herod ruled Israel from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. He was known as Herod the Great. He had ten wives and many sons, and his family line ruled Israel for four generations. Their struggle to gain political power was marked by gloom and tragedy. Once, Herod executed his own sons for conspiracy, and many innocent people perished with them. He was ruthless and drunk with power, and he was always keen to those who would try to steal his authority. Not only was Herod a paranoid, power hungry king, but in this situation he notices something was particularly abnormal. A group of mysterious foreign gentlemen had arrived in Jerusalem. Coming all the way from the Far East, their journey and sacrifice had a single pure motive of worshipping a baby. This baby, they claimed was born king of the Jews. The magi’s journey and motive was a powerful testimony to Herod. It made the possibility of a powerful new king really being born more credible. So Herod was greatly disturbed.

In verse 4, Matthew tells us that Herod believed the magi and sought information from the chief priests about where the Messiah was to be born. Look at verse 5 and 6. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
It is interesting to see that the chief priests knew where the Messiah would be born but they were not aware that he had just been born. The magi came from far away. How could they know about the Messiah’s birth and the chief priest did not? The Christ was born in Bethlehem, only a few miles from Jerusalem. They were so near but the religious leaders didn’t make any effort to even go there to see if Jesus had been born. The magi’s pure hearts shine brightly in contrast to the corrupt hearts of the religious leaders in this passage.

Verses 7-8 say that Herod spoke to the magi secretly and based on the magi’s information concerning when the star had risen, Herod could calculate exactly when Jesus was born. He sent the magi on their way to Bethlehem to search carefully for the Christ child. Herod also instructed them to report to him as soon as they found Jesus, so that he could go and worship him. Of course this was a lie. Herod’s motive was to remove anything that threatened his power and authority as king. He plotted to kill Jesus, not worship him.

In contrast to king Herod’s disturbed heart look at the magi in verse 9-10. As the magi went on their way the star that had pointed to Jesus’ birth went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where Jesus was. When the magi saw the star, they were overjoyed. What could fill them with so much joy? The sight of the star confirmed that God was leading them. It confirmed that their decision to search to worship the messiah was the right one. It also confirmed that they were CLOSE to meeting the baby Jesus. They had come so far and now God was pointing them to meet the messiah. They had searched, struggled, endured and sacrificed. Now, confirmation of their faith came. It feels good to know that you made the right choice and are successful in your endeavor.

Clearly, true joy comes to those who seek Jesus with all their hearts and strength. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This requires a decision of faith, and perseverance through trial. It is not easy. But in the end it gives us overflowing joy and eternal life. Around the world, we can see so many missionaries who have left everything to follow Jesus. Their lives include some suffering and trials. However, they are blessed with the joy of fulfillment, purpose, love, peace, hope, deep friendship, and most important is the happiness of knowing God is pleased with their lives. A person who truly seeks Jesus in their life can close their eyes at night with a smile on their face knowing that God is good all the time. They laugh a lot knowing the God’s good purpose is being fulfilled in, through and around them. Sadly on the other hand, people who seek selfish pleasure and benefit spend most of their time disturbed, anxious, anger and die in regret.
Look at verse 11. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The very first thing the magi did was bow down and worship Jesus. Historically the magi have been remembered for the gifts they brought to Jesus, but it is clear here that their motive was not centered on the gifts but on worshipping Jesus. These old, distinguished wise men humbly bowed down before Jesus and worshipped. True worship includes bowing down before King Jesus in submission to the sovereign rule of God.

Worship means giving ultimate value or worthiness to God. The magi valued Jesus above all things. They traveled over a great distance to the foreign country of Bethlehem just in order to worship him. When a person knows the value of Jesus then they will freely seek to know him, and ultimately grow to love and worship him. That worship is an outpouring of love from the heart. The magi’s pilgrimage was in itself a great act of worship towards the baby Jesus. Their bowing and further worship shows that there is no end to Jesus’ worthiness of all worship. Jesus is creator God. Life, all existence and experiences are only possible because of his merciful favor. Jesus came into this world to because of his love for us. It gives each person a clear reason to worship him.

The magi worshipped Jesus with the outpouring of the hearts in reverence to him. They then opened their treasure and presented him with gifts or gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were not presented for their value, because Mary and Joseph’s life did not become prosperous on possessing these gifts. Instead, these gifts where symbolic gifts for the office and purpose of the messiah king. Jesus holds the office of King for which the gift of gold symbolized. Jesus also holds the office of priest, for which the gift of frankincense symbolized. Finally the gift of myrrh was given to Jesus because of the purpose or mission of the messiah. Myrrh was an embalming spice for one who dies. Baby Jesus came to die for the sin of the world. God’s only Son laying innocent near his mother was God’s incredible gift of sacrifice for the salvation of each soul.

These magi, understood the extent of God’s amazing grace for all people through the coming of the baby Jesus. Their truth seeking, their pilgrimage, worship and gifts, testify to the world. They testify about the compelling truth of God’s love for all people through Jesus. Though Jesus is King, he came to suffer and die for the sin of the world. We learn from the Magi how to truly appreciate and worship Jesus. He was born the king of the Jews, but he became king to all who believe in him. He is God with us. It is important that all people hear this good news of baby Jesus. Does Japan need this good news? Yes.

In Tokyo, I have encountered many kinds of people, from one extreme to the next and everything in between. However, typically everyone strives for normality in behavior. So self expression usually take different forms, especially for young people this occurs in their cosplay fashion.

For the most part Japanese are very friendly, well mannered and thoughtful people. Typically they are shy, and highly sensitive to the feelings of those around them. Although Japanese tend to keep to themselves a lot, it is amazing of keenly sensitive they are to feelings of others. As a result, they say ‘sorry’ a lot, in order to cover any mistake they might have made to offend or disturb another person. I became family with the words gomen and sumimasen very quickly, because I heard them used so many times a day. These words mean “I’m sorry/excuse me” respectfully.

Manners and civility in Japan puts the western world to shame. Coming from noisy and aggressive New York, life in Japan is amazingly peaceful and safe. In comparison, the crime rate is incredibly low. Everyday, I see 4 year old little boys and girls riding the train all alone in their little school uniforms. I have left valuables on the table in public and return hours or days later to find them either exactly where I placed them or that the staff had stored it away for me.

In such an environment of social harmony and with Japan leading the world in technology, energy efficiency, being eco-conscious and environmentally responsible, salvation is not of primary interest to Japanese.

What I have found to be a tender part of most Japanese is loneliness and futility of life. You see and feel it on the quiet train ride home everyday. As a result of their high sensitivity to other feelings and shyness, they tend to isolate themselves and find it difficult to make deep relationships. From initiating conversations, I found that they are ready to talk, especially in English, but they are afraid on many levels. Most Japanese will say they don’t speak English, but when I use my poor Japanese they soon start speaking relatively fluent English. They recognize my attempt to speak Japanese as a sign of respect. I realized that like everyone else people appreciate when a foreigner respects them especially in their own country.

In terms of happiness, most Japanese are yearning. Their dedication and loyalty to their jobs puts them in a state of meaninglessness. Life becomes monotonous and empty and they seek satisfaction in drinking, gambling and various forms of pleasure. Then after the temporary happiness dies, they return to their meaningless routines.

From talking to the Japanese bible students in Tokyo UBF, I could confirm the issue of loneliness and futility of life as being major issues with young and old people. This is a problem everywhere, but loneliness seems to be a greater issue in Tokyo.

The magi from Babylon were from a great city like Tokyo. These magi found the importance of seeking the messiah. They recognized the value of having Jesus in their lives. Their long steadfast pilgrimage to Bethlehem shows that worshiping Jesus fulfills the deep desire of purpose in our lives. Through the Magi we learn that we are made to worship God. I pray that God may use the current 1% Christian population in Tokyo, UBF coworkers and I, to lead Japanese people to Jesus. I pray that many lonely empty lives in Tokyo may be healed by meeting and worshipping Jesus.

When we seek God, find God and worship God, we can experience true joy and have eternal life. Jesus is our shepherd king who came to lay down his life for us. He is worthy of our worship forever.