Wise Men Seeing and Spreading the Good News
Theme: Good News to Share
Theme Verse: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b NIV
Readings: Matthew 2: 1-23, Micah 5:2, 4, Jeremiah 23:5-6
Memory Verse: Matthew 2:2
Background: Once again the birth of Jesus is placed clearly in a historical context and at a certain time and place. This is historical fact not a pretty legend. King Herod was an incredibly cruel and wicked tyrant who had gotten his power from the hated Romans and was made king by them. It is no wonder that when King Herod heard about another "king of the Jews", he was upset -- and all of Jerusalem with him! You bet they were! At one point he had killed his wife and a son because he felt threatened by them. He was building a magnificent temple for the Jews but that didn't make him loved! (He died about 4 BC by the present calendar.) The "wise men" or "Magi" were a class of learned men from ancient Persia, one of the places where the Jews had lived in Exile and their scriptures were known to some there.
The Magi asked around Jerusalem, "Where is he who has been "born king" of the Jews? What are the implications of being "born king"? Certainly it is a lot stronger than someone who was made a king in adulthood! This is foreign territory to Americans used to choosing, electing their rulers and leaders for a limited period of time. This "born king" reflects a choice made by God, long before this king was born. His power and authority are from God. BUT we have to choose to recognize and honor who he is and give him our obedience and love -- or reject him. He is still king whether we live in obedience to him or in rebellion. He is a king who gives us the choice of accepting his lordship for our lives.
It is interesting that three wise men would come all that way to worship a Jewish King -- not their own. Somehow they knew by the Star that this was a very special king. Did God use the combination of old Jewish prophesies and the star to awaken spiritual longings in them? They were motivated enough to travel almost 2 years to get there! They were the first Gentiles to worship Jesus.
"Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2) A word received: Seek me with the same persistence the wise men had. Word received: I want to lead you too when you come to worship and follow Me.
"When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." (Matthew 2:3) A word received: There will always be trouble when I am proclaimed as king and lord. Saying "Jesus is Lord" instead of "Caesar is Lord" caused many early Christians to be martyred.
"And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born." (Matthew 2:4) A word received: It is not enough to inquire as Herod did, you must have a heart that seeks after me and my ways. The chief priests and the scribes knew where the promised Messiah King was to be born, that is, in Bethlehem, but there is no indication that they went to check it out. Maybe they were afraid of Herod or maybe they didn't believe it. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet." (Matthew 2:5) A word received: It is not enough to know the scriptures as the chief priests and scribes did, I want you to take them into your heart. "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" (Matthew 2:6) A word received: I want you to respond to this good news now, in your own lives. Don't be just a passive onlooker.
"Secretly" -- King Herod was obviously trying to trick the Magi into giving important information -- without the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem knowing about it. He pretended he wanted to worship the baby king.
Look at the contrast between the two kings: Herod and Jesus! There was a choice of which king to give allegiance to. The Magi chose Jesus. Look at the world's rulers and look at Jesus. Which do you want to rule over you? Which do you want to obey? Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters..." We have to choose our king. Make a choice about who will rule you. God gives us a choice about who will be our Master. We can't have it both ways! As Elijah told the Israelites, "How long will you hobble between two opinions? Joshua also told them centuries earlier, "Choose you this day whom you will serve....As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Now the star they had followed before let them to the very house where Jesus and Mary and Joseph were. They were filled with joy to see the star again. ( There have been many explanations of what the star was, but the point here is that they were miraculously led to the very house where little Jesus was -- and they were filled with joy. (Clearly Joseph and family has stayed on in Bethlehem a while.)
This lesson has many examples of God leading his people and their obedience in following. This was the way God protected both the wise men and the holy family. They were led by prophecy, the star and God speaking through dreams to the wise men and Joseph. Word received: Learn to listen, pray and follow My Holy Spirit and you will be following Me.
When they saw the child with Mary his mother, "they fell down and worshipped him." Word received: Take the time you should and need to worship Me. I AM. I AM your Lord and God. Then they offered gifts to the little child Jesus. What are the gifts we bring when we worship? What does the first commandment tell us about what to bring to our King Jesus? ("You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all you mind and with all your soul and with all your strength.") The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were gifts fit for a king. They were also God's provision for the holy family on their flight to Egypt. Word received: I will always provide for My own.
Look at the examples of obedience in this lesson. Joseph not only obeyed, he obeyed immediately. He didn't have much time to get out of town. The angel said, "FLEE." It was no more than 5 miles from Jerusalem. The wise men too were protected and their going off a different ways gave Joseph a little longer before Herod realized he'd been tricked, outwitted by the wise men -- and God. King Herod reacted in his usual way, "furious rage" and killed all the little boys 2 years old and under. Many innocent people suffered because of his evil ways.
NOTE: What were some of the prophecies fulfilled? (1) The Messiah King would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5: 2&4). (2) The women around Bethlehem would weep for their slain children. (Jeremiah 31:15). (3) Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived in Egypt for a while. (Hosea 11:1). (4) Jeremiah 23:5-6 is a prophesy referring to the future Messiah and King as coming from the family of David. "Righteous Branch" is a messianic term.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 15
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.The Wise Men came to find the new King of the Jews. This is a true story. Jesus wants us to seek him like the Wise Men did.
2. When the Wise Men worshiped Jesus they brought gifts to him. God wants us to take the time to worship him. The gift he wants most is to give him your heart.
3. God used the Wise Men to spread the Good News. God wants us to spread the Good News of Jesus too. If we pray and listen, he will show us how.
4. The Wise Men and Joseph obeyed God and he protected them.
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