Sunday Notes, December 6, 2009
Dear folks,
This Sunday I will be preaching on Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the coming of the Magi. We have to guard against getting our theology and thinking about Christmas from Hallmark cards. It seems almost quaint and make believe as we envision the three Wise Men on camels making their way to Bethlehem. Yet in Scripture the description of the Wise Men give us hope that there is a place for Gentiles in the purposes of God. We can be thankful for the Magi because they represent the Gentiles worshipping the Jewish Messiah. Isaiah states: “I have been found by those who did not seek me and those who were not my people I will call my people.” Look up any references to the Magi you have, especially noting Daniel 2 where he is made the head of the magicians in the court of Babylon. Magi are from a priestly tribe of the Medes who were greatly honored in the courts of the East for their counsel and wisdom. Can you think of the connection between Daniel and his friends in Babylon with the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem?
Note Acts 8: 9-24 &13: 4-12 for an account of a Magi who used his craft for evil. These represent the dark power of the Magi and make the believing Magi in our passage even more wonderful as they represent true non-Jewish seekers of the Lord. The effect of the Jewish presence in Babylon during their exile is seen in these Magi following the star from the East.
It is well to remember there was conflict between Rome in the West and the Parthian-Persian Empire in the East. It is no wonder that Herod, the King of the Jews, and all Jerusalem were troubled by the presence of the Magi. Were they looking for a new King to rule their Empire and possibly the West as well? Maybe Herod had more to worry about than his own life. Yet we can see that the Lord was even now calling Gentiles into the kingdom; Christ would bring the non-Jews into His covenant of grace. Read carefully Romans 11:11-24 for the wonder of Paul at the plans and purposes of God.
