Worshiping Christ - Matthew 2:1-12

(The Wise Men)

by David Woods

I'm sure it must have been quite a sight each year as the El Monte Church of God (Holiness) church van pulled into Harmony Hill Youth Camp.

Our church van was brown with a tan stripe down the middle on both side of the van. On the tan strip was our church name in brown letters.

On top of the church van were two big white boxes that carried our luggage. Each box was about three feet deep and five feet wide. The first box was also about five feet long. The second box was about ten feet long.

I lived in Los Angelos, California, for three years. Every year, a group of us loaded up for a three to four days trip to the Midwest to go to Youth Camp.

Those trips seemed to take forever. Unfortunately, traveling east, the mile markers increase in number, so you could never know (by the mile marker, at least) how many more miles you had left to go in one state.

As I remember, the air conditioner didn't work - at least on one of those trips. Even with earphones that covered the ear and with the cassette player's volume high, you could not drown out the noise of the wind.

I remember one of the ladies feeling so cramped and cooped up that she began "jogging in place" (as best she could) in front of her seat in the van.

Those trips to Youth Camp were long, stuffy, and hot. But we always thought they were worth it. Why? Because we were going to Youth Camp! Going to Youth Camp was worth any sacrifice!

Today, we are looking at a scripture in which some magi traveled a very long distance, possibly taking up to a year or more of time, in order to see baby Jesus.

Discussion: Why do you think were the wise men willing to travel so far?
(It appears they felt the star represented something very special. This king would be special.)

This next question may seem a bit off-topic for a moment, but it will make sense later on. So brainstorm with me.

Discussion: What are some of the advantages we have over the wise men concerning our knowledge of Christ the King?

Discussion: If wise men who were very disadvantaged about their knowledge of Christ compared to us traveled from the east to search for a king, what should our attitude toward daily and weekly worship be?

The lesson comments on verse one states:

Herod, called the Great, died soon after the birth of Christ, having reigned about thirty-six years. He was not truly a Jew, but an Idumean by birth. Cruel and totally unscrupulous, he had his favorite wife Miriamne murdered, as well as her mother, her brother, three of his sons, and many others…. (p. 25)

The lesson comments for verse three states:

… Herod, ever envious and suspicious, crafty actor that he was, could not conceal the fact that he was troubled. All of his political life he had been involved in intrigue and murder of those he feared. Five days before his death, he had a son executed, prompting Caesar to say, "It is better to be Herod's sow than his son." Now old and near death, neither priest nor relative nor Sanhedrin was safe from his murderous rage. (p. 25)

Discussion: How are those who hate Christ and Christians today like Herod?

We know why Herod the king was troubled. He was afraid his throne was endangered. But…

Discussion: Why was "all Jerusalem" troubled?

Discussion: Why do you think Jerusalem was more concerned about political upheaval than it was overjoyed over the birth of her Messiah?

Discussion: Why are we more concerned about the turkey in the oven or the padding of the pew than hearing from Christ?

Discussion: Why do you think the chief priests and scribes were in Jerusalem rather than Bethlehem?
(An easy retort is, how could they know when the Messiah came? Maybe the long wait had disillusioned them. Maybe they didn't know whether to really believe the prophecies.)

I wonder if sometimes we also approach our time of worship similarly. We know that God has promised His presence, but we have not felt His presence for a long time. We know God answers prayer, but our faith struggles to persevere.

Discussion: What can we do to approach the time of worship expecting that Christ will meet with us in a special way?

Discussion: Envision the scene in which the wise men were rejoicing with "exceeding great joy."

Discussion: What can we do to infuse our worship services with the same intensity, abandon, and passion for Christ?

The "Doctrinal Discussion" notes:

When they came into the house, they gave Him the respect that was due a king. They presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These different gifts may have special meanings. They may have given him frankincense to honor the fact that they recognized Him as divine. The gold may have pointed to His being their King. The myrrh might have shown His Incarnation and His sufferings. Or these may have had no other meaning than that each of them was costly, therefore a gift fit for a king. (p. 27)

Discussion: As the children of the King, what gifts should we present to our Lord as we worship Him on a daily and weekly basis?

The wise men went home a different way after being warned by God.

Reflection: What "warnings" of God have you received recently? What in your life has God told you to change?

Again, in the "Doctrinal Discussion" we read:

In Dale Yocum's early ministry, I heard him use the text in regard to the wise men, "They departed into their own country another way." His main thrust was that everyone who meets Christ and has a proper understanding of Him goes home on a different road than he was on before the meeting. I say a hearty "amen" to that idea.
Traveling along a major highway recently, I saw a most striking bumper sticker: "Wise men still seek Jesus." How true. It is my view that the miles traversed, the hardships endured, and the money expended were never regretted by the wise men. It was worth it all as they placed their gifts at the feet of Him who was worthy. Their gold, frankincense, and myrrh were such small gifts for one so good, great, and grand. I believe the song expresses their feeling and ours, "I'll wish I had given Him more." (p. 27)

Big Idea: Christ is worthy of our sacrificial worship.

The "Point of Special Interest" reads:

In many countries Christmas is celebrated differently than it is in America. In one part of Africa the Christians come to church on Christmas Day give their best gifts, not to each other but to the Lord Jesus, whose birthday it is. Each one comes to the front of the church and gives his gift to the missionary. Most of the people are so that they can bring only a few vegetables or a bunch of flowers. One or pennies is a splendid gift.
In this village an African girl had just been saved. She found the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour, believing the most wonderful verse in the Bible, John 3:16, On Christmas Day she out of her dress a coin worth eighty-five cents and gave it as her gift. The missionary was so surprised that almost did not take it, for he thought she must have stolen the money. However, he did accept the gift, but when the lovely service was over called the girl aside and asked where she had gotten such a fortune. (This was a lot of money for a sixteen-year old girl.)
In reply, the girl explained that she had nothing good enough to give Jesus; so she had gone to one nearby farmers, who was a wicked man, and sold herself to work for him for the rest of her life for eighty-cents. Then she had brought the entire value of her life in money, giving it all to Jesus. So will we, if we are wise bring the most costly gift of all to - ourselves. The gold of our obedience, the frankincense of holiness, and the myrrh of sacrifice and devotion will be acceptable to Him. (pp. 27-28)