Good morning.  As we continue to look at some of the Christmas Characters, we come to our group of men for this morning.  Today we are going to look at the 3 wise men and what they have to teach us this morning. 

Turn with me to Matthew 2:1-12.  Here in this passage we read about the visit from the magi.  Here in Matthew 2:1-12 it says, “1”

Before we begin, let’s open in prayer

According to recent survey, 90% of Americans say that Christmas is their favorite holiday, but only 20% say that they enjoy Christmas shopping!

That reminds me of two men who were next-door neighbors who decided to go sailing while their wives went Christmas shopping.  While they were out in the boat, a terrible storm arose.  The sea became very choppy and they had a difficult time keeping the boat under control.  As they steered toward land, they hit a sandbar and the boat grounded.  They both jumped out of the boat and began to push and shove with all their might to get the boat back into the water.  As the waves bounced him against the side of the boat, and his hair was blowing wildly in the wind, one of the men said with a smile on his face, “It sure beats Christmas shopping, doesn’t it?”

When I was growing up, I would always put my shopping off until Christmas Eve day.  On that day, I would gather all my money and tell my mom it was time to go buy the gifts.  As I raced down the aisles, I grabbed whatever I saw, providing it didn’t cost too much, and threw it in my cart.  When I got home, I dumped the measly gifts out on the floor and decided who should get what.  Quick and easy, right.
Well, now that I have Nellie, I’m much better at my shopping.  I just let her do it for me!  Usually that tends to back fire on me as she decides to do her shopping with my money as well.  I feel like the dad that I recently heard about.  He suggested that his family get him a gift that everyone could get something out of.  So they did, they bought him a new wallet!

It’s not easy to know what to buy your loved ones, is it?  One husband asked his wife what she wanted for Christmas.  She said, “Just surprise me!”  So he did.  At 3:00 a.m. on Christmas Day, he leaned over in bed and shouted, “Boo!”

Now we don’t know if the wise men had a hard time shopping but we do know that they found 3 pretty cool gifts.  We’re introduced to these mysterious men in Matthew 2:1-2.  Here in these 2 verses it says, “1”

Right away we discover something interesting.  The Wise Men show up in Jerusalem after the birth of Jesus.  That runs contrary to many of our nativity scenes that show the shepherds and the Wise Men arriving in Bethlehem at the same time.  The shepherds were there the night Jesus was born.  The Wise Men however, came sometime later.  Possibly up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus.

Who were these Wise Men?  They were the professors and philosophers of their day, originating from the country we now call Iraq.  These professionals were brilliant and highly educated scholars who were trained in medicine, history, religion, prophecy and astronomy.  Our modern word “magistrate” is a direct descendant of the word magi.  Since these men thought deeply about life, it certainly makes sense to call them “Wise Men.”

They were also trained in what we would call astrology.  Back then, astrology was connected with people’s search for God.  The ancients studied the skies in order to find the answers to the great questions of life.  Questions like: Who am I?  Why am I here?  and Where am I going?

The important fact for us to know about these Christmas Characters is that they were highly influential men who served as advisors to the king.

What possibly could have motivated them to make a dangerous 1,000-mile journey across the desert?  There’s only one answer to that question -- they have come to see a baby King.  They knew a baby had been born but they didn’t know where.  They knew he was a King but didn’t know His name.  So they come to Jerusalem--the capital city--seeking help.  It actually makes sense that they went to Jerusalem because they wanted to welcome the “King of the Jews.”  They guessed that this newborn king was the son of Herod the Great.  They assume that everyone must know about this baby.  But a great surprise awaits them.

Verse 2 adds a detail that has baffled and intrigued Bible scholars and astronomers for 2,000 years: “We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
So, what was “this star in the east?”  There are many theories.  In an article in 1999 1 astronomer from Rutgers University argues that it was an alignment of stars and planets that ancient astrologers would have recognized as significant.  Jupiter was considered the planet of kings, and a lunar eclipse of Jupiter in the constellation would have excited expectations of a divine birth in the Jerusalem area.  According to sophisticated calculations, this would have appeared in the year of Christ’s birth.

In this same article, a British astrophysicist argues that the Bethlehem star was indeed a real star that can still be seen by telescope today.  Back when Jesus was born, it was a bright nova.  In fact ancient Chinese astronomers report that an unusually bright star appeared in the exact year that Jesus was born.  Like the astronomer from Rutgers, this guy argues that ancient astrologers would have found the nova significant because of where and when it appeared ­ during a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces.  According to this researcher, the conjunctions would have told the Magi “to await news from Judea and, possibly, to expect the imminent birth of the Messiah.”

I love how US News concludes that article, “…we now have 2 fresh theories providing new scientific support for the biblical story…which makes the ‘star of wonder’ a little less of a mystery.”  Once again, we see that the Bible stands up to scientific inquiry.  Friends, these events actually happened!

Verse 11 tells us that “on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.”

I’ve always wondered why they weren’t disappointed when they finally found Jesus.  After all, He did not look like a king.  His home did not look like a castle.  He had no scepter in his hand, commanded no armies, gave no speeches, and passed no laws.  He could not walk or talk.  No royal decree came from his lips.  There was nothing to make you think he was a King.  To the outward eye, he was nothing but a peasant child born in poverty.

But to the Magi, He was a King.  He possessed more royalty in a cradle than Herod had in his fine palace.  Somehow these wise seekers saw beyond the present and into the future and in deep faith, they worshipped Him.  That word literally means “to kiss toward and to intensely adore.”  They somehow knew that this child would 1day rule the world and they were not ashamed to fall on their faces before Him.

Think of the contrast.  Although we read that the Magi met King Herod, they make no effort to worship him.  But when they finally find young Jesus, these educated and extremely intelligent men fell on their faces before Him.  To this baby they gave the honor due a king.  What Herod craved, the baby received.

As we move on, let’s take a look at these 3 gifts fit for a king that Jesus receives.  This is what the 3 wise men are best known for.  Verse 11 says, “1”

By the way, the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas time did not originate with Santa Claus.  It started with the Wise Men.  Back then, bringing gifts was particularly important when approaching a superior.  The gifts they bring are expensive and represent a worthy tribute, and there’s more to them than meets the eye.

Gold is one of the rarest and most expensive metals.  It represented the wealth and power of a king.
Frankincense was used in the temple worship of the Lord.  It represents the infant’s deity--He is truly God born in a human body.
Then there is myrrh.  A kind of perfume made from the leaves of a rose.  It was used in beauty treatments, but when mixed with vinegar it became an anesthetic.  After a person died, myrrh was used to anoint the body and prepare it for burial.  John 19:39 tells us that after Jesus died, his body was wrapped in linen along with 75 pounds of myrrh and other spices.  The gift of myrrh then, pictures his suffering and His death.

So, Gold pointed to his majesty . . . for he is a king.  Frankincense pointed to his deity . . . for he is God.  And Myrrh pointed to his humanity . . . for he was destined to suffer and die.

Did the Magi understand all this?  Did they know the impact and the significance of these gifts they presented Jesus with?  The answer is No, probably not.  But God arranged it so that their gifts to the King in the cradle would point us to who Jesus really is and why He came.
So what are some Life Lessons from the Wise Guys?  What can we learn from these wise guys?  What possible relevance can they have to our lives at the end of 2005?  Let me give you 7 Life Lessons:

1. These men met God in the midst of their work.  God can and will communicate to you, as you are faithful to what He has called you to do.  You don’t need to check out of life in order to get to know God.  He will meet you right where you are.  These astrologers were doing their jobs when God ambushed them.  God can do the same in your life.

2. They found their way by consulting Scripture.  When they started out they followed the bright star.  When they got sidetracked in Jerusalem, they went to the Word of God to find out where the Messiah was to be born.  Have you lost your way recently?  Are you just going in circles?  Instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, or even consulting a friend, why not look to God’s Word for direction?  It is the best road map available.

3. They gave themselves in worship first.  Before they gave what they had in their hands, they first gave their hearts to Jesus.  They bowed down and worshipped and then they opened their treasures.   We need to realize that God wants our life before He wants our gifts.  Have you ever surrendered yourself and submitted yourself to the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ?  If not, do it today!  The gifts you give mean nothing until you give of yourself.

4. They gave the gifts they had.  These seekers of God gave to Jesus what they had.  Their gifts were valuable and extremely significant.  The gold represents money ­ have you turned over ownership of everything you have to Jesus?  Frankincense was a symbol for prayer.  Are you bringing your hopes and dreams to God in prayer on a regular basis?  Myrrh stands for suffering and sadness.  Have you given all your pain and heartache to Jesus this Christmas?  These gifts served as a validation of their worship.  It reminds me that we can’t worship God without making a sacrifice.

5. If the Wise Men can find Jesus, then so can we.  Think of how many barriers they had to cross to get to Him.  There was a culture barrier, a distance barrier, a language barrier, a racial barrier, a religious barrier, not to speak of a hostile king and indifferent religious leaders.  It wasn’t easy for them to find Jesus, but they did.  If they found Him, then so can we.  You may have huge barriers in between you and God, but if you follow His guiding, you will find Jesus as easily as these 3 wise men did.

6. If God can use a star to reach these astrologers, then he can use anything to reach us.  Don’t be surprised at what God will use to get your attention.  God is infinitely creative in the ways He breaks through to people who seem to be so far from Him.  He can use a star, a book, a conversation, a television show, a song, or even a terrible trial.  If God can reach the Wise Men, he can reach anybody.

The bright star served as a travel guide for this group of Christmas seekers.  It was God’s gift of direction as it pointed them to the King of Christmas.  It reminds me that God has always provided travel guides to earnest seekers.  Those who search diligently for Christ will eventually find Him.  Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart and I will be found by you...”
Let me give you some good news this Christmas.  Chances are good that God has already put a travel guide in your life somewhere.  If you were to scan the horizons of your relationships you probably already know someone who’s spiritual light burns pretty bright.  That person may in fact be God’s Christmas present to you.  He or she may be a star that God has put in your life to point the way to salvation and forgiveness of sins through Christ.

Some of you know exactly who it is but you haven’t wanted to follow what they’ve been saying and the direction they’ve been pointing.  It’s not easy to listen to a star who might also be your spouse.  It’s not easy to follow a parent, either.  Or, maybe God is trying to get your attention through you own child, or a neighbor, or a friend, or through the ministry of this church.

Maybe you’ve been waiting for a laser bright travel guide from the heavens to somehow appear to you.  That travel guide might already be closer than you think.  Let God determine the best way to lead you to His Son.  The Wise Men would probably have preferred a more personalized kind of guidance, but God spoke to them in a language they could understand and He’ll do the same for you.
The point is that these wise seekers were responsive to the kind of guidance God provided.  We should be too.  However it comes and from wherever it comes.  Let me give you a challenge this morning.  Follow the travel guides that God has placed in your lives.  It will lead to Him.

7. They were willing to take action.  These guys made a long journey that forever changed their lives.  They put commitment to their conviction.  They put feet to their faith.  They didn’t just sit there staring out into the heavens.  When they got their sign, they boogied.  Are you a seeker or a sitter?  Some of you know exactly what you need to do, but you’re just sitting around, ignoring the travel guides God has put into your life.

What’s your response this Christmas?  Are you an eager seeker?  Or, are you just plain apathetic and don’t care?  No matter where you’re at, God loves you more than you can ever know.  You see, Christmas is really a celebration of an invasion.  It’s when God sent His Son Jesus to earth to identify with us, and then to die as our sin-substitute on the Cross.  It’s His Christmas gift to us.

Do you know who the real seeker is in the Christmas story?  It’s God Himself.  He’s put travel guides everywhere to help us come to His Son.  This year and every year, and all during the year, we are invited to return to Bethlehem.  A baby lies there who is King and God and Sacrifice.  The King in the cradle.  The Deity in diapers.  The Sacrifice sleeping in his mother’s arms.  Before long, He will rise to do his work and the world will see Him as He really is.  For the moment, the baby rests in Bethlehem surrounded by gifts fit for a King as He waits to see how you will respond.

Once there were 3 frogs on a log.  One of them decides to jump off.  So how many are left?   Two, No.   There’s are still 3 because all the 1 frog did was decide to jump.  He never made the leap!
Are you still on the log this morning?  If so, it’s time to take the leap and jump off so that you can bow down to the 1 who can change your life.

I’d like everyone to stand right now.  If you are ready to jump off the log this morning by putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, I’m going to ask you to do what the Wise Men did.  Would you bow to Him today?  You don’t have to get down on the floor to do this, but I would like you to just bow at the waist if you are willing to surrender your life to Christ.

The Bible says that one day we’re all going to bow before Jesus ­after we die.  It doesn’t really matter whether you believe in Him as your Savior or not, you’ll still have to bow.  If you’ve received Him as your sin-substitute, you’ll enter Heaven.  If not, you’ll still bow before Him and then enter Hell.

Wouldn’t it be better to get in the practice right now?  So if you’re ready to demonstrate your submission to Jesus, why not give Him the gift of your life by bowing?  Let’s all do this as I sign that we have submitted to Jesus, and let’s all bow as the wise men did.  Will you do that right now…                          “Dear heavenly father…