Why Did Wise Men Come? Why Did Wise Men Come? Wise men still seek Him

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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." (Mat 2:1-2 NKJV)

Introduction: Wise men, or Magi A priestly caste among the Persians and Medes, which occupied itself principally with the secrets of nature, astrology, and medicine. Daniel became president of such an order in Babylon (Dan_2:48). “Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.” Dan 2:48

The word magi became transferred, without distinction of country, to all who had devoted themselves to those sciences, which were, however, frequently accompanied with the practice of magic and jugglery; and, under the form magician, it has come to be naturalized in many of the languages of Europe.

Many traditions and guesses respecting these visitors to our Lord's cradle have found their way into popular belief and into Christian art. They were said to be kings, and three in number; they were said to be representatives of the three families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and therefore one of them is pictured as an Ethiopian. Their names are given as Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. (We really don't know-but maybe...)

I. Where Did They Come From? A. From the east... “there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,” B. How far east? Babylon (Iraq)? Persia (Iran)? Arabia? India? The important part is they came!

II. Why Did They Come? A. To come the distance & time, they must have known there was a special event. B. God had prepared everything to be just right for this event. C. The Scriptures had to have some influence. Perhaps from Daniel's time there was interest in the prophecy.

There are people who study the holy books of various religions. The Messiah's birth and circumstances were prophesied... A Star-Num 24:17 ... there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. A literal star/also symbolic of a Prince

A Birth place: Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

A Child / Messiah Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

III. They Came In Answer to God God prepared them-God's Word? God used them to provide for a need. God changed them-they went another way... God used them to get people's attention (Even today don't we wonder why they came?)

They came to a house to present gifts

Gold-for a king Frankincense-for a priest Myrrh-for burial These items were very valuable and worth enough to finance a cross-country trip to escape the massacre

...departed another way ...flee to Egypt...

Why Should Wise Men Still Seek Him? Act 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Wise men still seek Him