Advent: Born to Dwell With Bible Study FellowshipSample

Audio Teaching

Listen to deeper insights and practical applications from days 11-15.

Star of Bethlehem

Verses 9 and 10 follow the Magi’s journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, a small town about 6 miles (10 km) from Jerusalem. The town’s history reaches back nearly 2,000 years before Jesus’ birth.

• Rachel, Jacob’s wife, died in childbirth near Bethlehem. (1)
• Ruth, David’s great-grandmother, married Boaz in Bethlehem. (2)
• As King David’s family home and the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the town is connected to Israel’s greatest king and the King of Kings. (3)

Matthew confirms that the star’s course leads the wise men and stops over the very place to encounter Jesus. As they have faithfully pursued the star, God faithfully leads the Magi into the presence of His Son. The wise men are overjoyed!

Wise Worship and Warning

Hear Matthew tell this portion of the Christmas story in verse 11: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

This passage most clearly focuses on the worthy worship of God’s Son. The Magi’s worship reflects their joy and adoration:

Worship involves submission. – The Magi bow in the presence of One greater in every way. Bowing is a physical posture meant to express an internal submission in the heart. When we bow, we lower our defenses. We adopt a position of humility and vulnerability.

Worship involves sacrifice. – The Magi offer Jesus costly gifts, described as “treasures.” These three specific gifts were worthy of a king:

• Gold: the most precious metal. It signifies royalty, purity, and value. Jesus is truly a King.
• Frankincense: a costly incense. It is used in worship. Jesus is worthy of worship.
• Myrrh: a sweet-smelling resin. It was used in preparing bodies for burial. Though a strange gift for a child, this gift could point to Jesus’ death. (4) Jesus was born to die a sacrificial death to redeem mankind.

Verse 12 reports one of five dreams in Matthew 1-2 that God uses to protect Jesus and His family. God guides the Magi to avoid Herod’s trap. They are warned not to go back to Herod on their way home in a dream.

Perhaps because Matthew’s details about the Magi are limited, our focus lands on:

• their visit.
• their gifts.
• their worship.

Matthew’s emphasis is not explaining these details but exalting the King they came to worship. In Matthew’s account, in what he includes and excludes, everything points to the true identity of Bethlehem’s child, humanity’s Savior, God’s Son—Jesus Christ the promised Messiah.

Led by the Light

From start to finish, the account of the Magi reflects God’s faithfulness. God placed a light in the heavens that caught their attention and awakened their hearts. They followed God’s light from outside Israel’s territory, traveling from a distant land in search of the King of the Jews. God provided guidance that led them to the right place and posture before this King. Then, God led them back home.

Matthew’s account of the Magi reveals that the God of eternity is accessible to all who seek Him. What is your response to this good news? Will you find joy each time you think of Jesus Christ and, like the shepherds, return to your daily tasks, rejoicing, overflowing with praise for God?

Questions

1. How do the Magi find Jesus, and what do you learn about worship from them?
2. What truths from God’s Word could help you worship God humbly and sacrificially?
3. How does God intervene to protect Jesus, and what does this show about God’s relationship with people?

Reflect

We’ve reached a time in our study to pause and look back at what we’ve discovered during the past five days of study. Let the two points below guide your reflection and help you grow.

God can be trusted with what we cannot fully understand. The greater question is whether we have responded to what we do understand about God. What discoveries have you made in Matthew 2, and what challenges or encourages you in response?

The Magi followed the light of God’s star to the very place where they found the Messiah and rejoiced in worship. Looking back on what you have learned about Christ’s Incarnation so far, in what ways does God draw people to truth and open our hearts to worship Jesus Christ as Savior and King? For your worship, consider writing down your account of how He has drawn you up to this point in your life.

Related verses:

1. Rachel’s death: Gen 35:16-19; 48:7
2. Ruth’s marriage: Ruth 4
3. David’s home: 1 Sam 16:1; 17:12
4. Jesus’ burial: John 19:38-40