The Magi Were Foreigners (Matthew 2:1-8)
Gary McManus, 12/02/2018Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
December 2, 2018, The First Sunday in Advent
Matthew 2:1-8
Christmas/Advent. . .two reports of Jesus’ birth:
Matthew and Luke, each with its own emphasis.
“We Three Kings of Orient Are” –NO!
But we love it so much.
The Pastor’s task is to help the believers
HEAR the word of God so that the blessings
of God’s Word will pour out.
Matthew, Chapter 1= Jesus lineage.
Jesus is a son of David
Chapter 2: Matthew is telling that these Magi were . . .
foreigners.
They were foreigners by place—
not from around here.
--They were foreigners by occupation
--They were foreigners in this situation
--They were foreigners by faith. . .PAGANS
What do YOU think about foreigners?
The magi are remembered every year—
we have only two sentences from them.
And what do Jerusalem’s wisemen
consult? The BIBLE
Compare and contrast:
-- the King of Israel and the King of the Jews
-- wisemen foreigners and Jerusalem’s wise men
(God’s people)
The wise foreigners would further seek THE
(Jewish/Biblical) Messiah and FIND HIM.
See how Matthew would bless you here?
So what if you are not one of God’s people?
God’s people back then missed it and they were
right there when it all took place.
But the foreigners tracked God’s activity.
With our God there is no required pedigree,
no citizenship papers required
to come and worship the true God.
(See John the Baptist, Matthew 3:9, Luke 3:8)
Remember our affirmation of faith.
Ephesians 2:17. (See the Common English
Version)
We were foreigners, but no longer.
Now we are counted as members of God’s
household, through Jesus.
Peace and Amen.
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