Magi on a Mission – will we see the signs and worship King Jesus? – Matthew 2:1-12

Every Christmas, we are surrounded by signs. Lights go up on houses and stars are placed on treetops. Familiar songs and carols fill shopping centres and churches. There are even some quirky decorations such as inflatable Tasmanian devils wearing Santa hats on front lawns! All around us, the season is pointing to something. The question is: What do we do with these signs? Will we just admire the light shows on the houses,  enjoy the festivities at the work Christmas party, or will we let the season lead us to the see the Christ of Christmas?

In the biblical account of the Magi from Matthew 2:1–12, God placed an extra special celestial sign in the sky in the form of a star. What’s remarkable is not only that this star appeared, but also who followed it. It wasn’t the local religious leaders or Bible scholars from Jerusalem. Instead, it was a group of outsiders, likely astrologers from a far way land in the East. Yet they travelled hundreds of kilometres, convinced that a King had been born, and He was worth worshiping.

As we walk through this story, lets see what the Christmas sign meant for the Magi, and what they can mean for us today.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a mysterious sign appeared in the night sky. A celestial marker so distinct that the Magi got off the couch, packed their bags, left home and followed it for a long journey. Historically, the part of the world that the Magi were from had been enemies of Israel, and these Magi did not grow up worshiping the God of Israel. Yet here they are, showing up in Jerusalem and asking, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?” Meanwhile, the people who did have the prophecies are left scratching their heads.

This teaches us something important. No matter who we are, we all need God to open our eyes and guide us to the truth about Jesus. God gave the Magi a sign in the sky to lead them, and they followed.

When the cranky King Herod heard about the Magi searching for a “newborn king of the Jews,” he was anything but pleased. In fact, Matthew tells us that Herod was disturbed, and all Jerusalem was uneasy with him. Herod the Great, as he is known, was actually not a Jew by birth; he was an Edomite, ruling Judea with Rome’s backing. Herod had secured his throne through cruelty, and he was paranoid about anyone who might threaten his position. It’s recorded that in his later years, Herod even had several of his own sons executed to prevent them from usurping his throne. So naturally, when the news of a potential rival king was heard, Herod’s ears pricked up.

Herod called together the chief priests and teachers of the law to ask where the promised Messiah was supposed to be born. The Bible experts told Herod, “The prophet Micah wrote that the ruler would come from Bethlehem in Judea.” In fact, the scripture (Micah 5:2) says: “But you, Bethlehem… out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” This was a well-known prophecy. The promise that a great King and Saviour would be born in Bethlehem, a humble village but the ancestral town of King David.

Upon hearing this, Herod came up with a deceptive plan. He met with the Magi to find out the exact timing of the star’s appearance. Then he sent the Magi off to Bethlehem, pretending to be devout. Herod told them. “As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” Of course, Herod had no intention of worshiping Jesus. He meant to put this rival to death.  

Here we see God’s promise on one hand, and two very different reactions on the other. God’s King had indeed been born, fulfilling God’s long standing promises. Outsiders from distant lands rejoiced. However, the established king in Judea felt only threat. The religious leaders, for their part, were indifferent. They could quote the prophecy but made no effort to travel the few kilometres to Bethlehem to see for themselves. It’s a reminder that knowing about Jesus is not the same as seeking and worshiping Jesus.

The story in Matthew 2 contrasts two very different responses to the revelation of Jesus as King. On the one side is Herod, the reigning “king of the Jews”. He represents those who are threatened by the notion of Jesus’ kingship. Herod’s pride and love for power left no room for a new King, he only saw Jesus as a rival to be removed.

On the other side are the Magi, outsiders by background and nationality, yet their hearts are open by God’s grace. They respond to God’s sign with faith and humility. To them, this newborn child is not a threat but a wonderful gift. They travel all this way to worship the King. The Magi perhaps didn’t understand the full significance of who Jesus was, but what they did know compelled them to bow down.

In the Magi and Herod, we see a tale of two responses that is as relevant today as it’s ever been. The birth of Jesus can provoke resistance or worship in the hearts of people. Some might feel threatened at the idea of giving Jesus authority in their lives, like Herod, they fear a rival to whatever they want to do with their life. Our priorities are threatened by a King that is a rival to our own self rule and priorities. Others, like the wise men, will recognise that Jesus is worthy of our best, and will seek Him even at great personal cost.

Every year at Christmas, we are faced with the same choice. The signs of the season, whether it’s the nativity scenes, carols proclaiming “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”, there are many signs that point to the King. The question for us is this: will we, like the leaders in Jerusalem, ignore the signs? Will we, like Herod, view Jesus as an inconvenience or threat to our own plans? Or will we follow the signs with eager hearts, like the Magi, and come to worship the true King?

Following their audience with Herod, the Magi set out for Bethlehem. The same star they had seen in the East reappeared and went ahead of them once more. Miraculously, the star stopped over the spot where the child was. When the wise men realised their long journey was about to come to an end, Matthew says “they were overjoyed.” Imagine their relief and excitement!

As a bit of an astrophotography enthusiast personally, I find this detail fascinating. I like taking photos of stars and, in particular, aurora in the night sky. Earlier this year, a comet passed unusually close to Earth and was visible in here in Tasmania. I remember heading out into the clear night with my camera, hoping to capture the comet. Even though it was relatively close in astronomical terms, to the naked eye it appeared only as a tiny smudge in the sky. Even to my small knowledge, the star the Magi followed is highly unusual and extraordinary. Stars don’t normally behave like this one did. This was a special sign from God, guiding the Magi directly to the very house where Jesus was. God was doing something supernatural here to ensure that those who sincerely sought His Son would indeed find Him.

And find Him they did. The scene that awaited the Magi was beautiful with mother caring for her child. Upon seeing Jesus, the Magi on a mission bowed in worship. It’s a striking image of humility and faith before a baby. All their hope and effort was fulfilled. They recognised in this child the promised King, and their response was worship full of exceeding joy.

The Magi presented their treasures to Jesus. Matthew 2:11 says “Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” These gifts might seem unusual to us today, but in the ancient world they were highly valuable and symbolic offerings, especially fit for honoring a king.

Gold is a precious metal often associated with royalty and wealth. It acknowledged Jesus’ kingship and great worth. Frankincense is a fragrant incense used in priestly duties and worship. This gift pointed to Jesus’ divinity and role as our great High Priest (frankincense was used in the Temple, symbolising prayers rising to heaven). Myrrh is an expensive resin used as perfume, anointing oil, and in embalming the dead. This gift may well be a mysterious hint at Jesus’ future suffering and death; indeed, myrrh would later be used to prepare Jesus’ body for burial after the crucifixion (John 19).

There’s an Old Testament connection here too. Long before Jesus’ time, the prophet Isaiah had pictured a scene of nations coming to worship God, bearing gifts of gold and incense (Isaiah 60:6). In the visit of the Magi, that vision begins to come to life. The nations from afar bringing treasures to honour Israel’s Messiah.

What’s especially striking is why the Magi gave these gifts. They weren’t trying to buy favour or barter for a blessing. Their giving was an act of worship and joy. By offering what was most valuable to them, they were, in effect, saying, that this King is worth of the greatest treasures, in fact, he is the true treasure. It reminds us that genuine worship involves giving, not just material gifts, but giving our love, and our lives to Jesus because of his supreme value. The Magi didn’t come all that way to get something from Jesus. They came to give Him praise, because they believed He was worthy of it.

The journey of the Magi is more than a quaint Christmas tale found on Christmas cards.  Their story leaves us with a pointed question that each of us must answer: Will I see the signs God is showing me, and will I seek and worship Jesus as King? God revealed the birth of Christ with a star in the clear night sky. Yet the responses varied from hostility and apathy to joy and adoration.

Each Christmas, in fact every day, God places signs of His presence and invitations to know Him: the beauty of creation, the words of Scripture, the testimony of Jesus’ disciples, and even, in their own small way, the long-standing traditions of Christmas that all point to Jesus. How will we respond?

Perhaps you identify a bit with Herod or the people of Jerusalem in this story. Maybe the idea of Jesus as Lord over your life feels threatening or uncomfortable. But consider the alternative displayed by the Magi. They rejoiced at the chance to worship Jesus. Instead of feeling threatened, they felt an overwhelming joy in seeking the one true King.

Or maybe you’ve been like the chief priests in Jerusalem, knowing things about God and religion and the Bible, maybe you know all the words to the Christmas carols, and know the Christmas story. Yet you might be hesitant to find out more about Jesus. A few strangers showed up talking about a star and a newborn king, yet the religious insiders stayed put. Knowledge alone wasn’t enough. It would be tragic to miss Jesus even while celebrating Christmas, simply because we never actually seek Him for ourselves.

The good news is that God welcomes all who come, whether you consider yourself an outsider, an insider, sceptical or a believer. The invitation of Christmas is for everyone: come and see the King who has come to save us.

So will you join the Magi on a mission this Christmas?

By God’s grace, may we all have eyes and hearts opened like those travelers from the East. This Christmas, letss see the signs for what they are truly pointing to and come with awe and joy to adore Jesus. He is the King of kings, the joy of all nations, and the greatest treasure of all. Come, let us adore Him – Christ the Lord!

Matthew 2:1-12

“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.”

³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 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]”

⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.