Browse Bible Study Resources

Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 4 : The Search of the Wise Men II

Text: Matthew 2:1-12
23 January 2022

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 23 January 2022
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Subject: The Search of the Wise Men II

THE DECEPTION OF KING HEROD

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Matthew 2:7-8

1. King Herod called the wise men secretly

a) That means, that he did not include the chief priests in this secret meeting
b) He wanted to know when the star appeared to them
c) He urged them to go to Bethlehem
d) They were to search diligently for the young Child

2. His declared reason

a) So that he too could worship the new-born King of the Jews
b) This was totally untrue!

3. Question

Could they discern that King Herod was deceiving them?

 

THE WORSHIP OF THE MAGI

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Matthew 2:9-12

1. The Wise Men

a) They were called “magi” (Matthew 2:1; “Magi” the “g” is pronounced as “i”) (Not as in “Maggi Mee”)
b) They heard King Herod Matthew 2:9a
i) They did not seem to have been very perceptive or discerning
ii) They were wise with reference to knowledge
iii) But they were not so wise in discerning character

2. The Star of Bethlehem

a) They caught sight of the Star again Matthew 2:9b
b) They followed till it stood over the place where the young Child was
Matthew 2:9c
i) This was obvious Divine leading
ii) This was a special blessing from God
c) When they saw the Star of Bethlehem
i) They rejoiced
ii) With exceedingly great joy Matthew 2:10
d) Pause:
i) Have we experienced this kind of Joy?
ii) Understanding can bring great Joy
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
e) Joy of Salvation
i) Joy inexpressible
ii) Full of glory

3. Worship

a) The Wise Men saw the Christ-Child Matthew 2:11a
i) The Child was with the mother
ii) Worship was given to the Lord Jesus
iii) Worship was NOT given to Mary, the mother
iv) They prostrated themselves to the Lord Jesus
b) They presented gifts Matthew 2:11b
i) Gold
Honouring the Lord Jesus as King
ii) Frankincense
Worship of the Lord Jesus as Divine
iii) Myrrh
Understanding of the Lord Jesus as One who would die for
Our salvation

4. A special word of warning

a) They had a divine warning
b) A dream was given
c) Instruction: They were warned not to return to King Herod
Matthew 2:12a
d) The Wise Men heeded this word
They returned home another way Matthew 2:12b

CONCLUSION

1. Human Wisdom

a) Important
b) But severely limited

2. Divine Wisdom

a) Scriptures
i) They reveal
ii) They guide
b) Direct Divine instruction
i) The Star of Bethlehem
ii) A special dream

3. Appropriate Response

a) Process knowledge
b) Personal Faith
c) Practical expressions
i) Worship
ii) Obedience