Lessons from the wise men

Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 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.”

The wise men began by following God's sign from the sky.  Then, they resorted to following people.  One of these people, King Herod, made a plan to kill Jesus.

  

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

King Herod used the Scriptures to determine where Jesus was to be born.  He believed the Scriptures.  Knew that they were true; however, refused to yield to what they said.  

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Not everyone who says that they are for you is for you.  Herod pretended to love Jesus, but in reality hated Him.  

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Gold is a gift for a king.  Jesus was destined to rule as a king.

Frankincense is a gift for a priest. Jesus would be a priest representing people to God. 

Myrrh is for embalming a dead body.  Jesus would die for mankind as their sacrifice for Sin.  

1. The wise men bowed to Jesus which revealed their attitude of humility. 

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.  Make personal humility your goal.  

2.  They bowed and worshiped.  

They had an attitude of worship.  They worshiped Jesus in anticipation of what He would do, and for who He is.  Praise God before your breakthrough.  Don't focus on what you have, but what you do have.  Let's make worship our goal.   

3.  They had an attitude of generosity.  

We can give generously because all that we have belongs to God.  Our gifts are a reflection of our hearts.  When we have little, it is easier to be generous.  The more we have.  The more that it tends to have us.  We must realize that all that we have is really God's.   

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Let's not leave the Savior's presence the same way, but go out another way like the wise men.  Let's leave His presence changed.

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands 
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-gift