Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, seeking the newborn king of the Jews they saw in the stars. King Herod was troubled by this news. When the chief priests told him the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, Herod secretly met with the wise men and sent them to Bethlehem, asking them to report back so he could worship the child too. Guided by the star, the wise men found Jesus and honored him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh before returning home a different way, warned not to go back to Herod.

1. Gift
Giving
Occasions
Matthew 2:1–12

2. Big Idea
Thanks be to God for his
inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) 2

3. Gift
Giving
Occasions
Matthew 2:1–12

4. Our Text
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, 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.” When Herod the king heard this, he
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 4

5. Our Text
and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of
the people, he inquired of them where the Christ
was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of
Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And
you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no
means least among the rulers of Judah; for from
you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 5

6. Our Text
people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise
men secretly and ascertained from them what
time the star had appeared. And he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for
the child, and when you have found him, bring
me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
After listening to the king, they went on their way.
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 6

7. Our Text
And behold, the star that they had seen when it
rose went before them until it came to rest over
the place where the child was. When they saw
the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house, they saw the child with
Mary his mother, and they fell down and
worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures,
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 7

8. Our Text
they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and
myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to
return to Herod, they departed to their own
country by another way.
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV) 8

9. What we got wrong
There were 3 wise men- as few as 2 as many as
100
They rode camels- camels were pack animals.
Wealthy Arabians rode horses.
They came from Persia, India and Africa. They
came from the “East”
Probably didn’t arrive on Christmas day
9

10. The Song is Wrong
They were kings- nope magi
Arabia or Persia-They would have been
counselors to a ruler, and educators of royalty.
Referred to as Chaldeans (think Daniel). Astrology,
astronomy, magic, science, wise sages and
advisors.
10

11. Timing issues
Didn’t arrive on Christmas day
Nor on 3 kings’ day, 12 days after Christmas, the
feast of Epiphany, or Theophany
Probably 2 years afterward
11

12. The Eastern Entourage arrives
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.
Matthew 2:2 12

13. Why here?
 Jerusalem is the
capitol
 House of David
ruled from there
 The Temple is there 13

14. Who they are
looking for…
Born, not
appointed
King of
the Jews
14

15. We have seen his star
I see him, but not now; I behold
him, but not near: a star shall
come out of Jacob, and a scepter
shall rise out of Israel;
Numbers 24:17 15

16. How
Saw his star when it rose
Natural
Qumran community and Dead Sea Scrolls.
Their calendar works out a time window for the
birth of the Messiah using imagery from
Revelation 12:1-5
16

17. Real Astrology
And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman
clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was
pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the
agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in
Revelation 12:1–5 (ESV) 17

18. Real Astrology
heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven
heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven
diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of
heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon
stood before the woman who was about to give
Revelation 12:1–5 (ESV) 18

19. Real Astrology
birth, so that when she bore her child he might
devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is
to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her
child was caught up to God and to his throne,
Revelation 12:1–5 (ESV) 19

20. In a modern astronomy program
What if John meant what he wrote? Reference a
messianic Psalm.
What Do The Magi and The Dead Sea Scrolls Have
In Common? Dr. Michael Heiser
20

21. The real Christmas Day?
September 11, 3 BC
Rosh-Hashanah
Jewish New Year’s Day
The Day of Trumpets
Tishri 1st
21

22. Makes Sense
When Herod the king heard
this, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him;
22

23. The Answer
“In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by
the prophet:” ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the
land of Judah, are by no means least among the
rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
23

24. The Dragon’s Agent
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly
and ascertained from them what time the star
had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem,
saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and
when you have found him, bring me word, that I
too may come and worship him.”
Matthew 2:7–8 24

25. This is supernatural!
…they went on their way. And behold, the star
that they had seen when it rose went before
them until it came to rest over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they
rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:9–10
25

26. Happy Birthday Jesus!
And going into the house, they saw the
child with Mary his mother, and they fell
down and worshiped him. Then, opening
their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold
and frankincense and myrrh.
26

27. Gifts of Destiny
Gold- Royalty
Frankincense- Prayers
Myrrh- Death
27

28. Jesus’ Gift
For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 28

29. Stop working
For the wages of sin is death, but
the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 29

30. Believers Gift
If you then, who are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much
more will the heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13 30

31. Gifts for Everybody
As each has received a gift, use it
to serve one another, as good
stewards of God’s varied grace:
1 Peter 4:10 31

32. Your Gift to Him
So give yourselves completely to God.
Stand against the devil, and the devil will
run from you. Come near to God, and God
will come near to you…
James 4:7–8 (NCV) 32

33. Gift
Giving
Occasions
Matthew 2:1–12