The Shepherds and the Magi
God’s message for everyone – I love you and have given my Son for you
Text: Luke 2:8-20 & Matthew 2:1-11
The Shepherds and The Magi
Why these two groups?
Footnotes:
The Christmas Story includes the account of two vastly different groups: The shepherds and the wisemen (Magi).
Traditionally our manger scenes include Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, various farm animals, & some shepherds
& wise men. This scene is not historically accurate, as the wisemen did not arrive until some time later when Mary & Joseph were living in a house. Nevertheless, the stories of the shepherds & the wisemen are intimately connected with the narrative of Jesus birth. Why these two groups?
How were they different? How were they the same? And what was God doing when He chose to reveal His Son to these two groups? See their differences….
GEOGRAPHICAL
The Shepherds The Magi
Nearby Far Away
ETHNICITY
The Shepherds The Magi
Jewish Persian
Indian
Arabian
RELIGION
The Shepherds The Magi
Jewish Persian Mystics
(God’s Covenant People) Pagans
Zoroastrians
EDUCATION
The Shepherds The Magi
Very Limited Years of Study
(Religious Essentials Only) Men of Wisdom
Teachers/Professors
ECONOMICS
The Shepherds The Magi
Poverty Wealthy
Indentured Service Financially Secure
SOCIAL STATUS
The Shepherds The Magi
Low Class Elite
Outcast Politically Connected
People of Influence
What Was God Doing?
God was
REVEALING HIS SON
To the WORLD
Footnotes:
These two groups could not have been more different from one another. Yet these are the people to whom God chose to reveal His Son. One truth we can glean for this is that God’s revelation is for all mankind. Your status, nationality, education, even your personal sinful past are no barriers to God’s revelation! Jesus came to save every sinner that would believe in Him! Let’s consider how the shepherds and the Magi responded to God’s revelation.
THE RESPONSE TO REVELATION
The Shepherds The Magi
Sought Him Sought Him
Shared about Him Rejoiced to find Him
Glorified & Praised God Worshiped Him
Footnotes:
For three weeks we have been looking at key characters in the Christmas story, and how God has revealed Himself to mankind through His Son Jesus. How will you respond to God’s revelation of love toward you through giving His Son Jesus?
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE
TO GOD’S REVELATION?
Do you…
SEEK HIM
REJOICE IN HIM
SHARE ABOUT HIM
WORSHIP HIM
PRAISE HIM
GLORIFY HIM
Footnotes:
To everyone:
Today do you understand: #1 That Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, and is truly the Son of God? #2 That He lived a pure and sinless life so that He could be the spotless lamb and a sufficient sacrifice for sin?
#3 That He was crucified on a Roman cross to satisfy God’s righteous wrath against our sins? #4 That He rose from the grave, and walked again among men, and then ascended to God the Father? #5 That He is coming again to bring judgment on the earth and mankind?
You must believe in the life, work, death, and resurrection of Jesus as sufficient to reconcile you to God, and the Holy Spirit will give you new life. You will be born again, a new person. Your past will never again be held against you. The enmity that separated you from a Holy God has been dealt with, and you will be reconciled to God in a new deep and personal love relationship with Him, if you will fully and wholly place all your hope and trust in the person of Jesus and what He has done for us.
To those who call themselves Christians:
Think back to the first times you began to understand God’s love.
Recall the time when you turned to God for salvation.
Remember the early days of your walking with God.
How does your life reflect the impact of God’s revelation of himself in Jesus Christ in your life today?
The Shepherds went back to work, glorifying and praising God.
The Magi gave Him their treasure, and returned to their country (and kept silent? Or shared their great adventure?)
How have you responded to God’s revelation, and your salvation in Jesus, this week, this season? In the balance of your life?
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