The Birth of Jesus the Messiah, and the Visit of the Magi Matthew 2:1-18

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. The Saviour Sought, vv. 1-8 (Matthew 8:11) Who were these wise men? (v. 1, R. V. margin, see Esther 1:13; Dan. 2:12). What notices have we in the Bible of this class? How did these particular "wise men" show that they were really wise? Do wise men as a rule seek Christ? (1 Corinthians 1:26). Why not? (Matthew 11:25). Why was Christ born in the days of Herod? What important question about Christ did the magi ask? Where was the answer to the question sought? Where can we find the answer to that question?.

How had they been led to believe that He was born? Is there any light outside the Scriptures? What kind of light is it? To what did the starlight of natural religion lead the magi before it led them to Christ? Why did God reveal the truth to the magi by a star? How did He reveal it to the scribes? Would it have been wise for the scribes, who had the Scriptures, to consult the stars? Was it wise for the magi? How did the magi get more light? How far did they follow the light they had?

What did the magi want of the new-born King? How far had they come? Is it worth while to go so far and encounter so much discomfort to find Christ? Do we need to go so far? (Ro. 10:6-8). How did Herod and the people receive the news of the advent of Christ? How would you feel to-day if you thought Christ had come or was coming soon again? Why was Herod troubled? Why were the people troubled? Did Herod assist in the search for Christ? What did he want to find Him for? Was he in earnest in the search?

Did it do him any good to seek for Christ? Why not? From whom did Herod seek information? Did they know? Did their knowledge do them any good? Why did they know? Have we any students of prophecy to-day like these scribes? Which were better off, the magi with only the light of nature which they obeyed, or the scribes with the light of Scripture which they disobeyed? Are there any today who point others to Christ but do not go themselves? What is the conception of the Christ presented by the prophecy quoted?

How does this prophecy fit in with the purpose of Matthew's Gospel? How did Herod show his stupidity? 2. The Saviour Found, vv. 9-11 (Jeremiah 29:13) Did the magi spend much time in Jerusalem? Why not? How were they guided to the place where the Child was? What feeling did the sight of the star produce? Why were they glad when Herod and the Jews were troubled? What men to-day find exceeding great joy when they find Christ? (1 Peter 1:8). What did the magi do when they found Christ?

Does this worshipping Him prove that they recognized the deity of Christ? 3. The Saviour Hated of Men, Guarded by Angels, vv. 12-18 (John 15:25; Psalms 91:11, 12) What plan had Herod formed? Who stirred him up to this? What made this plan manifestly absurd? Why is the devil so blind? How was Herod's plan upset? What ground of assurance have we that all the devil's schemes concerning God's children will come to naught?. (Rom. 8:31). How was Herod's second scheme foiled? Why was it certain from the outset that it would fall?

Why is the Child mentioned before the mother in the angel's charge? How did the angel know that Herod would seek the Child's life? Was Herod's plan formed before or after it was announced to Joseph? How did Joseph show his wisdom? What were the characteristics of his obedience? What prophecy was fulfilled by this descent into Egypt? (Hosea 11:1). What then was all the devil achieved by his plot against Christ's life? (Ps. 76:10). Was the verse which Matthew quotes in verse 15 primarily intended as a prophecy of Christ?

How then is Matthew justified in saying it is a fulfilled prophecy? How many references to fulfilled prophecy are there in this lesson? How many in the whole Gospel? Why is Matthew so much more careful to notice the fulfillments of Old Testament types and prophecies than the other evangelists? When Herod found that his plan had failed, how did he feel? How do wicked men usually feel at the miscarriage of their plans? How do good men feel? How did Herod manifest the intensity of his hatred to Christ?

What was all that was accomplished by this hellish scheme? What does it all show the devil to be? How much careful painstaking and wise plotting is necessary to upset God's plans. CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. God

Reveals truth to the heathen, 1; foreknows all things, protects His children, forestalls His enemies, upsets the best laid plans of the wicked, 12, 13; makes the wrath of men to praise Him, 15, 17; reveals His truth by nature, 2; by dreams, 12; by angels, 13; above all in Scripture, 5, 6; step by step, 2, 5, 9.

2. The Devil

His deceitfulness, 8; cruelty, 16; cunning, 4, 8, 16; stupidity, 15, 17; helplessness, 12, 3.

3. The Scriptures

Inspired of God, point to and center in Christ, 5, 6, 15, 17, 18; superior to other revelations, 2; easy to understand, 5; mere intellectual understanding of them will not save, 4.

4. Jesus

(1). His nature:

Divine, 2, 11, 13; human, 11, 13, 14.

(2). His office:

King of the Jews, 2, 4, 6.

(3). How received:

With joy by heathen magi, 2, 10; with indifference by the theologians, 5, 6; with dread by His own people, 3; with hatred by the king,13, 16.

(4). How He should be sought:

Joyfully, 10; diligently, 1, 8; immediately, 9; for the right purpose, 2, 13.

When the wise men "saw the star (that pointed to Christ) they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." When Herod heard of Christ "he was troubled." Which are you like?