12.20.20 Sunday School
Unit 1: The Beginning of a Call
A Regal Response to Holy Light | Bible Background • MATTHEW 2:7–15 | Printed Text • MATTHEW 2:7–15 | Devotional Reading • EXODUS 1:8–22
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLAIN how the wise men point to the universality of Jesus’ mission, GRIEVE for those who suffer innocently due to the world’s brokenness and sin, and JOIN with peoples of every ethnicity and culture to worship Jesus, the King of all nations.
IN FOCUS
Rather than exchanging gifts, Kathy’s family went on a Christmas tour of the Holy Lands, beginning in Egypt. They did all the touristy things—seeing the great pyramids, sailing up the Nile River, and even getting on camels for pictures. Their tour guide focused on the time the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, but Kathy was thinking of Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus seeking sanctuary here while King Herod was carrying out his plan to murder any potential rival king. Kathy followed the tour guide through a market teeming with brown and black people, some matching her own skin tone. She thought that the white people often portrayed in Bible art would surely stand out in a crowd like this. A more historically accurate portrayal of the holy family would blend right in, here in Mother Africa.
Kathy’s son, Stephen, had begun saying that Jesus was only for white people. “Not only was Jesus first imposed on us by slave owners,” Stephen would say, “He also doesn’t seem to care about black issues like police brutality, colorism, or badly funded schools.” Here in Egypt, though, Kathy could see that idea was wrong. Jesus was no “white Savior”; He was everyone’s Savior. That night she shared her photos and thoughts with Stephen. Kathy’s trip to Egypt and Israel made her feel even closer to Jesus.
What happens when we view historic happenings through only one cultural lens? How do we make sure we are
not blind to the unique perspectives of other cultures’ lenses?
not blind to the unique perspectives of other cultures’ lenses?
Keep in Mind
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11, KJV).
Focal Verses
Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the
star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have
found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down,
and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise,
and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for
Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have
found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down,
and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise,
and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for
Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
The People, Places, and Times
Herod. The Herod featured in today’s Scripture passage is known as “Herod the Great.” He was a descendant
of Antipater, an Edomite who converted to Judaism in the 2nd century BC. An exceptionally cruel king, Herod
ordered the murder of one of his wives, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and at least three sons. Although
the Jews did not like him because of his friendliness with the Romans, he brought enough stability to Galilee
and Judea that he gained some independence from Rome for the Jewish people. He is also remembered as a
great builder. His biggest achievement was renovating the second temple in Jerusalem, which was not
completed until 68 years after his death.
Herod. The Herod featured in today’s Scripture passage is known as “Herod the Great.” He was a descendant
of Antipater, an Edomite who converted to Judaism in the 2nd century BC. An exceptionally cruel king, Herod
ordered the murder of one of his wives, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and at least three sons. Although
the Jews did not like him because of his friendliness with the Romans, he brought enough stability to Galilee
and Judea that he gained some independence from Rome for the Jewish people. He is also remembered as a
great builder. His biggest achievement was renovating the second temple in Jerusalem, which was not
completed until 68 years after his death.
Magi. The words “wise men,” translated Magi (singular: magus), refer to a group of men who may have studied
the stars. Because the Bible says they came from the East, many scholars believe they were Babylonian
astrologers. The wise men first come to Jerusalem because of a star, a special manifestation from God to
indicate a Jewish king’s birth. They then come to Bethlehem following the star again and find Jesus. Tradition
says there were three of them, but Scripture never gives a number. The idea that there were three of them comes
from the number of gifts they offered to the Christ Child (v. 11).
Background
Matthew 2 opens with wise men coming from the East in search of the newborn King of the Jews. Although we
are familiar with the nonbiblical story of three wise men, Scripture says that they were all from the East. To
people of New Testament days, that would probably have been from Persia, modern-day Iran. This was a center
of much belief in astrology. The Bible makes very clear that the study of horoscopes is wrong (Deuteronomy
4:19). It ascribes divine plans to the created stars and moon. Yet God uses His creation to unexpectedly bring
people to Himself. In calling these Gentiles from far away, God showed that Christ came for us all.
The wise men were astrologers and saw some sort of unusual star (possibly a conjunction of planets) that
indicated to them that a new king of the Jews was born. So they traveled to Jerusalem, the capital, where they
expected to see this baby. They almost certainly arrived in a great caravan with many servants. Hearing that a
new Jewish king has been born, Herod instantly knows this must be the Messiah. The jealous and power-hungry
king asks his scholars where the Messiah was predicted to be born.
At-A-Glance
1. Foreigners Before a King (Matthew 2:7–8)
2. Foreigners Before the King (vv. 9-11)
3. The Messiah in a Foreign Land (vv. 13-15)
In Depth
1. Foreigners Before a King (Matthew 2:7–8)
The paranoid King Herod took no chances on a potential rival, even if it was just a baby. After Herod’s scholars
told him where the Messiah was to be born, he has a private meeting with the wise men. He tells them to bring
him back the news of the Messiah’s whereabouts after they find Him. Herod says this is so he can worship Him,
too. Of course, Herod has no such intentions. We see in this story different responses to Jesus. In Herod, we see
outright opposition. Even though Herod is king of the Jews, he does not rejoice at his promised Messiah’s birth.
He sees Jesus, instead, as a rival, one who could take control away from him. Then we see the wise men—
foreigners without much biblical understanding—and yet these were the ones who set aside everything else in
their lives to truly know Him.
Herod knew a great deal about the Messiah. Why would anyone who knows about Jesus Christ, sit on the
information rather than respond positively to it?
2. Foreigners Before the King (vv. 9-11)
After leaving Herod, the wise men continued their search. As they traveled, the star reappeared and guided them
from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. By the supernatural light of that star, the wise men found the Perfect Light, Jesus.
Mary and Joseph were married and living in a house in Nazareth (Luke 2:39). When the wise men arrived, they
immediately knelt and worshiped the holy Child. The wise men worshiped Christ before He performed any
miracles, preached any sermons, or healed any sick. Their worship was based solely on who He was, not what
He did. They honored Him with special gifts worthy of His divine station (v. 11). We should all do as the wise
men: find Jesus, accept Him as Lord and Savior, and worship Him!
The Magi did not listen to what King Herod told them to do. A higher authority spoke to them through a dream
and told them not to return to Herod. God warned them and they obeyed His warning, returning home a
different way.
Share about a time you had to disregard an authority figure to follow God’s guidance instead.
3. The Messiah in a Foreign Land (vv. 13-15)
After the wise men departed, God also warned Joseph about Herod’s plan. In a dream, Joseph learned that
Herod was searching for the child with the intent of killing Him. Joseph was instructed to pack up and move his
family to Egypt. When Herod found out that the wise men were aware of his scheme and had left the country by
another route, he was furious (v. 16). He ordered his soldiers to go to Bethlehem and kill every male two years
old and under. This tragedy fulfilled another prophecy. The destruction caused by sinful, evil humans sets a
sorrowful stage that God will soon turn to joy (Jeremiah 31).
Joseph follows the angel’s directions and moves to Egypt, returning home only when Herod was dead. Because
Jesus’ childhood followed this journey, Matthew notes that He fulfills yet another prophecy of coming “Out of
Egypt.”
How have you noticed God’s protection in your life as you followed His direction?
Search the Scriptures
1. What information did Herod want from the wise men? Why did King Herod say he wanted it? (Matthew 2:8)
2. How did Jesus’ flight to Egypt help prove He is the Messiah? (v. 15)
Discuss the Meaning
1. Both the Magi and Herod have a high social standing in their lands. Why is their reaction to Jesus’ birth so
different?
2. Even though God tells His people not to trust astrology, He uses His creation to communicate with the Magi.
What does this reveal about God’s nature?
Liberating Lesson
The Enemy is happy to remind us of any excuse to cut ourselves off from one another, creating distance and
mistrust between groups that could enjoy unity. Believers must work to bring healing and reconciliation in the
areas of racial, cultural, and religious division. How does the Gospel especially resonate with minority, refugee,
immigrant, or foreign voices?
Application for Activation
The Magi came to Jesus and worshiped their way, by bowing to the ground and giving gifts. Are you
welcoming to other cultures’ worship traditions in your church? Jesus’ family left their ancestral land and lived
in another country. How would you continue to worship God and be a witness of the Gospel in a foreign
country? Work with a local charity or immigrant population to invite immigrants to lead a worship service at
your church.
Follow the Spirit
What God wants me to do:
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Remember Your Thoughts
Special insights I have learned:
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