The Perfect Gift
Part 2 of the “O Come Let Us Adore Him” Series
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:1-11 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
When a group of foreign stargazers arrive in Jerusalem seeking the new King of the Jews, King Herod and his advisers realize they’ve missed a monumental moment in their nation’s history. Through the prophecy of Micah, the Magi are directed to the toddler King, where they offer gifts to Jesus in full worship and adoration. God desires all the world to connect to God through Jesus, and for the followers of Jesus to share His message to all the world.
Has an unexplainable experience ever opened your mind to the reality of God’s existence?
Illustration: US Astronaut Norman Thagard
Seeing an unexplainable, supernatural phenomenon can lead us on a search for answers about faith.
17 I see him, but not now; I look at him, but not near; A star shall appear from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall smash the forehead of Moab, And overcome all the sons of Sheth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. 19 One from Jacob shall rule, And will eliminate the survivors from the city.” – Numbers 24:17-19 (NASB)
Have you ever missed an important event?
ILLUSTRATION: “You Forgot Again” Anniversary Cake
2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” 3 Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has given birth. Then the remainder of His kinsmen Will return to the sons of Israel. 4 And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. 5 This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, when he tramples on our citadels, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight leaders of people. – Micah 5:2-5 (NASB)
Matthew begins and ends his Gospel record with the global impact the Messiah will have.
Herod intends to kill this new king to secure his perceived hold on the throne.
Have you ever struggled with knowing the perfect present to buy for someone?
With the story of the Magi, every gift communicates a message.
◦ Gold
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was a King.)
◦ Frankincense
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was God in the flesh.)
◦ Myrrh
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was going to die.)
What are you offering the King of all kings as worship?
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
This season was never meant to be a burden.
Jesus came to free us. Not burden us.
“Christmas was never meant to be a burden. Paying expedited shipping to make it magical and stressing about going into more debt and keeping up with all the pics we see on social media is an absolute scam. A scam of evil proportions. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve done it. That’s how I know … it’s a scam. We’ve got to let it go. I’m not going to pretend to know what that means for everyone, but I hope it gives you permission to release yourself from the charades and parades and all the demands that are never ending. He came to free us. Not burden us.” – Anonymous
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
God’s heart is for all the world to connect to God through Jesus and for followers of Jesus to share this message to all the world.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. – John 3:16-17 (NASB)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever struggled with knowing the perfect present to buy for someone?
Have you ever missed an important event? What was the consequence of missing the event?
Why was it important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?
What was the significance of the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus? How did they symbolize the life and ministry that Jesus would have?
Followers of Jesus are called to offer their lives to God as worship. How does this change your view of what worship is?
Take a moment to reflect on what you are presently offering to the King of kings as worship, and prayerfully consider what God might be asking you to offer God.
Our worship of Jesus should inspire us to share the Good News of Jesus with others. Whom do you know who hasn’t yet heard the Good News? How may you share the Good News with them this week?
The BIG Idea:
When a group of foreign stargazers arrive in Jerusalem seeking the new King of the Jews, King Herod and his advisers realize they’ve missed a monumental moment in their nation’s history. Through the prophecy of Micah, the Magi are directed to the toddler King, where they offer gifts to Jesus in full worship and adoration. God desires all the world to connect to God through Jesus, and for the followers of Jesus to share His message to all the world.
Has an unexplainable experience ever opened your mind to the reality of God’s existence?
Illustration: US Astronaut Norman Thagard
Seeing an unexplainable, supernatural phenomenon can lead us on a search for answers about faith.
17 I see him, but not now; I look at him, but not near; A star shall appear from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall smash the forehead of Moab, And overcome all the sons of Sheth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, While Israel performs valiantly. 19 One from Jacob shall rule, And will eliminate the survivors from the city.” – Numbers 24:17-19 (NASB)
Have you ever missed an important event?
ILLUSTRATION: “You Forgot Again” Anniversary Cake
2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” 3 Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has given birth. Then the remainder of His kinsmen Will return to the sons of Israel. 4 And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. 5 This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, when he tramples on our citadels, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight leaders of people. – Micah 5:2-5 (NASB)
Matthew begins and ends his Gospel record with the global impact the Messiah will have.
Herod intends to kill this new king to secure his perceived hold on the throne.
Have you ever struggled with knowing the perfect present to buy for someone?
With the story of the Magi, every gift communicates a message.
◦ Gold
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was a King.)
◦ Frankincense
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was God in the flesh.)
◦ Myrrh
▪ (The Magi believed Jesus was going to die.)
What are you offering the King of all kings as worship?
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
This season was never meant to be a burden.
Jesus came to free us. Not burden us.
“Christmas was never meant to be a burden. Paying expedited shipping to make it magical and stressing about going into more debt and keeping up with all the pics we see on social media is an absolute scam. A scam of evil proportions. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve done it. That’s how I know … it’s a scam. We’ve got to let it go. I’m not going to pretend to know what that means for everyone, but I hope it gives you permission to release yourself from the charades and parades and all the demands that are never ending. He came to free us. Not burden us.” – Anonymous
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
God’s heart is for all the world to connect to God through Jesus and for followers of Jesus to share this message to all the world.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. – John 3:16-17 (NASB)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever struggled with knowing the perfect present to buy for someone?
Have you ever missed an important event? What was the consequence of missing the event?
Why was it important for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem?
What was the significance of the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus? How did they symbolize the life and ministry that Jesus would have?
Followers of Jesus are called to offer their lives to God as worship. How does this change your view of what worship is?
Take a moment to reflect on what you are presently offering to the King of kings as worship, and prayerfully consider what God might be asking you to offer God.
Our worship of Jesus should inspire us to share the Good News of Jesus with others. Whom do you know who hasn’t yet heard the Good News? How may you share the Good News with them this week?