They Bowed Down and Worshiped Him

Matthew 2:1-12       Christmas 2005

Key Verse 2:12           Lesson 4

** This passage teaches us the right way to worship the new born king. 

1. Verses 1-2 describe the sacrifice made by the Magi in order for them to meet and worship the new born king.  Their example suggests that Jesus is the true object of worship, deserving such sacrifice. Why is it important to meet and worship Jesus as the true object of worship? (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7; Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; Psalm 37:4; 23:1-6)

** It is important because knowing him fully and worshiping him constitutes the very purpose of our creation, so we would stay inspired by Him, and grow up to His true greatness. He came to restore our relationship with God the Father, so we would be born of him, grow in his greatness, and thereby fulfill the purpose for which we were created. 

2. On hearing the news of the birth of the true king, people should have rejoiced. But verse 3 says that they were "disturbed". Why did people respond to the good news in this way? How can we avoid a problem like this?

** disturb = to interfere with; to alter the position or arrangement of; to destroy the tranquility or composure of; to throw into disorder; to put to inconvenience. 

The above definition indicates that they felt that Jesus was born to interfere with their lifestyle, which they did not want to change or get altered in any way; they felt quite snug in their own condition. They did not have any sense of problem. They did not get themselves prepared for the Savior to come in the first place. They were more or less like a frog in a body of warm water in a fry pan which was about to be heated up to turn the frog into a dish. 

3. Think about the inquiry King Herod made (verse 4) and the answer the Bible scholars gave (in verses 5-6). What does their answer tell us about the new born king?

** The new born king is:

1) the Christ; 2) the bread of life [John 6:35,48,51] (Bethlehem = house of bread); 3) a ruler; 4) a shepherd.  

4. Compare what Herod said to the Magi in verses 7-8 to the atrocity he committed in 2:16-18. Why do you think he did this? How can we avoid a problem like his?

** He did this thinking that Jesus came to keep him out of job (as a king); he thought politically; Jesus is a spiritual king, not a political king.

We can avoid a problem like this by realizing that Jesus came to nurture our spirit first, and then enrich our physical life. We must remember that Jesus is the true source of true security of life. Not all people know this, so we need to get people educated, for the devil is in the business of deception, deceiving people to believe lies about everything esp. about the purpose of Jesus' coming. 

5. What do the following expressions tell us about the life of the Magi in looking for the true object of worship?

1) We saw his star...(2b);

2) the exact time the star had appeared (7); 

3) the star...went ahead of them until...(9); and 

4) when they saw the star they were overjoyed (10).

What lessons are there for us to learn in seeking the Lord?

** The word "star" (cf. Num 24:17) indicates that they did not bury their noses on mundane things, but on lofty ideals, especially the Lord's promise to send the Savior of the world, which promise was given to and running down through the line of the Jewish people. Although they were Gentiles, still they looked into it, and figured things out about the Lord via the subject area of their study (astronomy). 

6. Think about what they did upon coming to the house. What do the following expressions teach us about the way to worship the new born king? 

1) They bowed down and worshiped him; and

2) They opened their "treasures" and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 

** They saw "God's kingship" in the baby Jesus, and offered their "treasures" to the Lord. Treasure = wealth stored up or hoarded; a store of money in reserve; something of great worth or value; a collection of precious things. 

 

7. Verse 12 tells us that the Magi did "not" honor King Herod’s request. What can we learn from them? 

** They were "spiritual" enough to get inspired by the Lord in a dream not to return to Herod. So we learn from them that we must be loyal to Jesus and obey him, when any order from any human being is inconsistent with our loyalty to the Lord Jesus. 

The end