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Every person will bow their knee to Jesus and confess that He is King over all. We WILL bow, the question is: Will we bow NOW or will we wait until it’s too late?

1. Jesus had already been born. We don’t know how much later these magi showed up, but they didn’t show up on the day of Jesus’ birth.
2. The magi showed up in Jerusalem, searching for the one they referred to as the “King of the Jews”, the likely place for the King of the Jews to be born, in Jerusalem - the capital of Judea. Instead, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small town just 6 miles south of Jerusalem. 

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small town just 6 miles south of Jerusalem.

Matthew introduces King Herod, known as Herod the Great. He was not Jewish but was given authority by the Romans over Judea for 33 years - making HIM the “King of the Jews”. 

• Herod was the father to many sons, 3 who ruled after his death who are referred to in the New Testament (Archelaus, Antipas, & Phillip). When Jesus was born Herod was almost 70 years old (born in the 70s B.C.).
• King Herod is known for his massive construction efforts that included the massive renovation project of the Temple in Jerusalem that began around 20 B.C. continuing well after his death until completed in A.D. 63 (over 80 years!).
• As he grew older, Herod became known for his brutality and paranoia, imprisoning and killing family members he thought might try to overthrow him.

1. These men are referred to as magi from the east. Magi is the Latin term from the Greek magoi, and is translated as “wise men” in most modern translations (CSB, NET, ESV, NLT).

• The Septuagint (Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures) includes magi as some of the people that King Nebuchadnezzar used to interpret dreams when Daniel was in Babylon (Dan 2:2). Daniel’s ability to interpret dreams raised him to the leader over all the wise men in Babylon (Dan 2:48). 
• These men were not kings, but were likely royal court officials whom the king consulted for guidance. 
• These men likely made the long trip from Yemen, Babylon, or Persia and certainly would have come with an entourage to protect them. Babylon was 900 miles away from Jerusalem, a trip that would have taken several months (Ezra’s trip with 4-5000 people took 4 months - Ezra 7:9).

These men traveled all this way to Jerusalem following a the STAR, which communicated the birth of the King of the Jews, whom they came to see, bow before, and bless with their gifts.

• They were likely familiar with Hebrew Scriptures as the Jewish people had been taken captive to this area. Maybe they knew this passage that first spoke of King David but ultimately of Jesus.

Numbers 24:17a (NIV) I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

The Arrival of the Messiah - Dr. Michael Heiser

Micah 5:2,4 was written 700 years before Jesus’ birth.

Contrast the difference between how the magi & Herod respond to the birth of Jesus: Herod said he would BOW, but the magi DID bow and worship Jesus. The Magi bring their treasures to Jesus. These valuable gifts were able to be used by the family for what was about to occur.

• Gold is a valuable metal. 
• Frankincense was is a gummy tree resin used for perfume, part of the recipe for the only incense allowed on the altar of God at the temple. 
• Myrrh was “from a small tree found in Arabia, Abyssinia, and India,” used in incense, perfume, and “to stifle the smell of a body as it decayed.” (Jn 19:39).

These Gentiles seeking the King of the Jews were thrilled to find him after this long trip, but they are warned in a dream that trouble is brewing. So too, Joseph warned in a dream about Herod’s plans to kill the young Messiah, and God gives Joseph the escape plan. 

• God knows the future events and uses a STAR and multiple DREAMS to protect His people.

This reference from Hosea 11:1 was referring to Israel, whom God brought out from Egyptian slavery 1500 years before the birth of Jesus. Now Jesus follows in the footsteps of his Jewish family, living in Egypt for a brief period of time, and then coming back to the Promised Land.

Bethlehem was a very small town - estimated by scholars to have about 1,000 citizens, where about 10-30 baby boys were likely murdered by Herod. Of course this would have been tragic for the people of Bethlehem. The weeping of mothers losing their baby boys was reminiscent of the weeping in 586 BC when the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar gathered the captives of Judah in Ramah to be taken off to Babylon (Jer 40:1-2). The killing of baby boys up to 2 years old is why we wonder when the magi showed up to bow before Jesus.

Why would Herod do such a wicked thing? Herod refused to humble himself, step off his throne, and BOW before the true King of the Jews because he wanted to rule.

King Herod died at age 69 with a terminal disease. Yet even facing death, Herod rounded up influential Jews to kill upon his death…so his enemies would not rejoice, but mourn - as if mourning over his death. (That plan did not come to fruition.)

Finally - Herod is dead! Now Jesus and His family can go home, which - evidently was going to be Bethlehem, but…

Matthew doesn’t quote a particular prophecy from Scripture. It seems this comes from prophets and prophecies that are not recorded in Scriptural texts. Nazareth is a beautiful mountainous town that likely had around 500 residents. This is NOT the place where the King of the Jews would be expected to be raised from. 

 Years later when Philip told Nathanael they had found the Messiah - Jesus of Nazareth - Nathanael asked,  “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46 NET)  

The contrast between the magi and King Herod sets the stage for the rest of this Gospel - 2 responses to Jesus, those who BOW before Him and those who refuse to step off the throne and bow before the true KING.

BIG QUESTION: Will We Bow NOW? 

The apostle Paul, once an enemy of Jesus and His disciples, points back to the day that the KING of kings humbled Himself, stepped off the throne and came to earth, to die on a cross for our sins. Then Paul tells us of our future response to Him. 

On that day, ALL will bow our knees and confess with our mouths that JESUS is Lord. That IS going to happen. The only question is...

Will We Bow NOW?

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discussionquestions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.)
2. Read Matthew 1:1-2 and Numbers 24:17. What’s the significance of the star that pointed the magi to the birthplace of Jesus? Consider watching this video together and discuss it’s significance. ( https://bit.ly/StarOfJesus).
3. Even though Jesus is “the king of the Jews” (Mt 2:2), why is it significant that Gentiles (non-Jews) are seeking Jesus and bowing before Jesus? 
4. What’s the difference between the character/humility of the magi & the character of Herod? What are some characteristics that we are following in their footsteps?
5. What does God’s use of the star and the multiple dreams (Mt 2:12-13, 19-23) say about God’s knowledge of the future & ability to protect His people from wicked people?  
6. Read Philippians 2:5-11. What does this say about Jesus’ humility and obedience to the Father? How are WE to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? Thinking about the day that Jesus returns and all bow their knees to Him, what excites you and what concerns you about this moment? 
7. Who are some folks we need to pray for and share with to see them BOW NOW rather than be forced to bow on that day? 
8. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.