We three kings of Orient are;

bearing gifts we traverse afar,

field and fountain, moor and mountain,

following yonder star.

What a familiar Christmas image. Three resplendent kings riding on camels, coming to worship the baby Jesus. It’s in our art, it’s in our songs, it’s in our nativity sets.

But did you know that our non-denominational tradition here at Grace doesn’t even scratch the surface with these guys?

In many parts of the Christian world, the wise men of Matthew 2 play an even bigger role. They even have their own holiday on January 6, called Epiphany - the day Christ was revealed to the Gentiles.

You may already know all about this, but I’m just now learning about this holiday and I’m feeling totally robbed! After Christmas and New Years, all we have to look forward to is deepest, darkest winter. But in many other parts of the world, this holiday rules!

In Latin America, on Epiphany eve, kids leave out boxes of grass & hay for the camels and wake up on January 6 to find the hay replaced with presents. More presents!?!

In places like France they make special “king cakes” with a little figurine inside. Whoever gets the toy in their slice becomes “king for the day.” I want to do that!

Oh, and get this. In Goa, India? They have a full on festival where three boys are chosen from surrounding villages to ride into town on white horses in a massive parade and then they have a big community feast.

Imagine having all of that to look forward to in January. I looked it up, and the best we’ve got around that time is National Spaghetti Day. It’s just not the same.

Well, we may not celebrate Epiphany here at Grace, but this December we are talking all about the magi. It may be a familiar story, but as we’ll see over these next few weeks, it still has a lot to teach us about the true significance of Jesus’ birth.

SERIES SETUP

This new series is called “Gifts of the Magi.” Technically, this is part III of our mega series about the gospel of Matthew. Even though it’s a Christmas series, we’re going to hit the same three themes from that broader series.

For example, we call Matthew a Story of Fulfillment. Well, the story of the magi fulfills Old Testament prophecies and kicks off a second Exodus in Egypt.

You know how we say Matthew is a Kingdom Manifesto? Well, in this story we see the values of our world upended yet again, and we see a direct undermining of Roman propaganda and the proclamation of an upside-down kingdom.

And of course, we call Matthew a Discipleship Manual and that’s true even here as this story invites us to consider what gifts we can bring to our king.

So let’s dive in. Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 2, Page _______. While you’re turning there, I’m going to pray for us.

[PRAY]

VISITORS FROM THE EAST

Let’s read the passage one more time.

Matthew 2:1-2

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

We’re going to talk all about King Herod next week. For now, let’s skip ahead a bit.

Matthew 2:9-11

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Alright. It may not look like it at first glance, but this story is working on many different levels. And it’s very, very cool.

Let’s start by talking about the world behind the text. Who were these “wise men,” what are they up to here, and where, exactly are they from?

They’re very fair questions, but they’re actually a little tricky to answer. Because Matthew doesn’t give us a whole lot to go on.

All he tells us, in verse 1, is that they were “wise men (magi) from the east.” We see that they interpret stars, and that they bring baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And that’s essentially all we know. The vast majority of our other ideas about these guys come from traditions that developed later in the Church, but which have almost nothing to do with Matthew’s gospel.

For example, nowhere in the text do we get any indication that they were kings. Nor does it mention that there were just three of them. There are three types of gifts, but there could have been dozens of magi.

Maybe you’ve heard of the traditional names given to them - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar - or the idea that [image: three kings] one was European, one was African, and one was Asian…

Again, none of that is in the Bible. It all comes from later Christian tradition. So that muddies the waters.

So let’s set tradition aside for a minute. What do biblical scholars and historians tell us? Well, even here there is a lot of academic debate. But I find it so fascinating, so I want to share.

First, the literal Greek word Matthew uses to describe these men is μάγος - magos. The plural of the word is magoi or “magi” as we call them.

Originally, magi were priests from a nation called Media in modern day Iran, which became part of the Persian Empire. They are generally associated with a religion called Zoroastrianism.

But by the time Matthew wrote his gospel, the concept of magi had taken on a much broader meaning. They were more like court magicians or sages or wise astrologers who advised kings. Think Jafar in Aladdin, just not evil.

And by the 1st century, they were found everywhere - not just Persia, but Babylon, Egypt, Arabia…

The term was even used in pejorative way to describe charlatans who used magic to take advantage of gullible people. It’s where we get our word “magic” - from magi.

So, they were found all over, but Matthew tells us these men came “from the East. There are three main theories about what this means:

First, is that they’re from Persia itself. That’s where magi originated. One ancient text even claims that Zoroaster himself had prophesied about Christ, which is why they came.

Early paintings and carvings of this scene depict the magi in Persian garb. Namely, trousers, which people in the west found barbaric, but Persians wore all the time.

So maybe they’re from Persia. Except magi from Persia had almost nothing to do with astronomy. They were not known as interpreters of the stars.

That was the specialty of the Babylonians. So maybe they were from Babylon. Babylonian wise men were the ones who famously deciphered the night sky.

Babylon is also where the Jews were exiled in the 6th century BC, so maybe that’s a connection. The only time we see magi show up in the Old Testament is in the book of Daniel, which takes place in Babylon.

So maybe they’re from Babylon. Then again, there’s a strong case to be made that they’re actually from Arabia. For one thing, that’s where frankincense and myrrh were produced.

Arabia also fits better with some Old Testament prophecies, and it’s where early church fathers like Justin Martyr in the 2nd century believed they were from.

So which one is it? Persia? Babylon? Arabia? The short answer is that I don’t know. I’ve done a bunch of reading on this and I’ve yet to find any argument which fully convinces me. They all have their pros and cons.

The good news is that it doesn’t really matter when it comes to the story of fulfillment Matthew is trying to tell.

When these magi from the east arrived in Bethlehem to worship the newborn king of the Jews, the promises of God from the Hebrew Bible were beginning to be fulfilled. And this is very good news for you and me.

HOPE RISING

Let me give you a little glimpse of what I mean.

There’s a prophecy in Micah in which the Messiah - the king of Israel - would be born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2

You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet a ruler of Israel,

whose origins are in the distant past,

will come from you on my behalf.

That, of course, is what happens in Matthew. Jesus is born in Bethlehem. There are also Old Testament prophecies of the kings of Gentile nations coming to pay homage to this promised ruler of Israel.

Psalm 72:10-11

The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands

will bring him tribute.

The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba

will bring him gifts.

All kings will bow before him,

and all nations will serve him.

This, by the way, is why the tradition developed that these magi were kings, even though magi were really servants of kings. Because the early Christians saw the arrival of the wise men as a fulfillment of these prophecies.

But I think the most significant Old Testament passage which paves the way for Matthew 2 is found in Isaiah 60.

A little bit of set up here. Once, before the Babylonian exile, God’s presence used to appear in Israel as a bright cloud of glory. It led them through the wilderness. It would descend on the tabernacle. It made Moses’ face shine so brightly that people couldn’t look at him.

But then, after God sent the people into exile for their sin, things in Israel became really dark. The people were scattered around the world and God’s glorious presence was nowhere to be found.

But the prophet Isaiah wanted the people to understand it wouldn’t always be this way.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.

For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you.

Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,

but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you.

All nations will come to your light;

mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

The prophecy goes on to describe the scattered Israelites coming home. But not just on their own. They are being brought by the last people you’d expect: the Gentiles! The traditional enemies of the Jews who have now come to worship the one true God alongside them.

Isaiah 60:5-6

Your eyes will shine,

and your heart will thrill with joy,

for merchants from around the world will come to you.

They will bring you the wealth of many lands.

Vast caravans of camels will converge on you,

the camels of Midian and Ephah.

The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense

and will come worshiping the LORD.

Suddenly, Matthew 2 takes on a far deeper meaning, doesn’t it? These aren’t just random magicians showing up to add some eastern flair to our nativity sets.

No! The magi are the first fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies. Whether they are from Persia or Babylon or Arabia, they are Gentiles who have come to worship Israel’s God.

Bearing gifts fit for a king - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and following a star - the bright glory of God - as it leads them to Bethlehem, the very place where the Messiah has been born.

The complete fulfillment of Isaiah 60 is still in our future, but it began coming true the moment these eastern magi bowed to this baby in a manger. As the church of Christ has spread around the world, people from every tribe and nation have begun to join the caravan.

There is a reason so many Christians around the world celebrate Epiphany in January. From South America to India to France…

Because this is the beginning of a globe-spanning movement of redemption: the kingdom of God which belongs to both Jews and Gentiles. Christ is the Lord of all.

This is how Matthew begins his gospel. And this theme only grows as the story develops. The Gentiles will be a part of God’s kingdom, just as the prophets predicted. “They will bring you the wealth of many lands.”

That’s how Matthew begins his gospel. And just think of how it ends! After the resurrection,

Matthew 28:18-19

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…”

All the nations. Because now the time has come for all peoples to worship our God as one. For Jews and Gentiles from all corners of the world to bring their gifts to the Messiah - Jesus Christ, the son of God. The king.

The arrival of the magi in Bethlehem was the first fulfillment of God’s globe-spanning mission to heal the world.

GIFTS FOR A KING

Now, so far we’ve only scratched the surface of this story. As I said, there are a lot of different layers here.

In the weeks to come we’re going to talk about this mysterious moving star, we’re going to explore the meaning of the specific gifts they brought, and we’re going to talk about the not-so-pleasant reaction of King Herod to the magi. Herod, who called himself the King of the Jews.

But I think already we have plenty to meditate on. This book is a discipleship manual, and even here we get a glimpse at what it means to follow Jesus.

Here’s why. Because unless you are ethnically Jewish, you are, by definition, a Gentile, like me. Which means that this is the moment that our people began to fulfill Isaiah 60. When we first stepped foot into the kingdom of God bearing gifts for our king.

This is the moment we first realize just how expansive God’s grace really is. That his love and mercy extends to every one of us.

Which is why the experience of these magi here isn’t just a neat story; it’s a model for us to follow. Look again at verse 10 and pay attention to their emotions here. Matthew tells us,

Matthew 2:10-11

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

So they were happy? So what? Well, I’ll tell you. The translation “they were filled with joy” doesn’t even come close to what Matthew actually wrote in verse 10.

In the original Greek it’s over the top. A more literal translation would be something like, “they rejoiced exceedingly with a massive amount of joy.”

They weren’t happy; they were ecstatic. They didn’t come in and smile at the cute baby; they rejoiced exceedingly and then bowed with their faces on the ground.

Why were they so overwhelmed with emotion? Why did these magi from the east prostrate themselves before a baby and give extravagant gifts to his family? Because, just as Isaiah 60 predicted, these gentiles could now be a part of God’s family.

They were welcomed into the kingdom of God, and their response was overwhelming joy and profound generosity.

What about you? What is your response to the grace you’ve received from Jesus?

When our stories began, every one of us was a foreigner to the love of God. In our sin, in our selfishness, we were on the outside. And yet, even though we were enemies of God, opposed to his purposes, he flung wide the gates of his mercy.

He opened his gates for you. He offered you forgiveness. A fresh start. New life. And a place to belong in the family of God.

If that does lead you to rejoice exceedingly with a massive amount of joy, nothing will.

So, this December, as we all take our place in the caravan of Isaiah 60 and join the magi as they bow before the Lord, here’s the question I want you to meditate on:

What gifts will you offer the king?

What will you sacrifice as an outflow of gratitude for what Christ has done?

-Your time?

-Your attention?

-Your treasure?

-Your energy?

-Your worship?

The arrival of Jesus Christ on Christmas morning wasn’t just a happy moment. It was the beginning of a new era for the world. And these magi from the east - these Gentiles - had a front row seat to that transformation.

God’s kingdom continues to expand through our reality today and YOU are invited to be a part of it. What gifts will you offer the king now that he has begun to change our world?