December 31
Lesson 5 (KJV)
The Faith of the Wise Men
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 49:1–6
Background Scripture: Micah 5:2–4; Matthew 2:1–12
Matthew 2:1–12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
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.
Key Text
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.—Matthew 2:2
Faith That Pleases God
Unit 1: Profiles in Faith
Lessons 1–5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe the historical setting of the encounter between Herod and the wise men.
2. Contrast God’s guidance of the wise men on their mission with His guidance of Christians today.
3. Identify one area of ministry where God is leading him or her and discuss with a church leader the best way to follow that path faithfully.
Introduction
A. Still Seeking Jesus?
B. Lesson Context
I. The New King Is Born (Matthew 2:1–2)
A. Coming to Jerusalem (v. 1)
B. Seeking the King (v. 2)
“The Star”
II. The Old King Is Troubled (Matthew 2:3–8)
A. Consulting the Scholars (vv. 3–4)
B. Pinpointing Bethlehem (vv. 5–6)
C. Plotting Murder (vv. 7–8)
The Great and the Terrible
III. The Child Is Worshipped (Matthew 2:9–12)
A. Following the Star (vv. 9–10)
B. Presenting Treasures (v. 11)
C. Exiting Another Way (v. 12)
Conclusion
A. Offer Thy Heart
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
How to Say It
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Damascus |
Duh-mass-kus. |
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Euphrates |
You-fray-teez. |
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frankincense |
frank-in-sense. |
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Herod |
Hair-ud. |
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Idumean |
Id-you-me-un. |
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Judaea |
Joo-dee-uh. |
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magoi (Greek) |
mah-joy. |
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myrrh |
mur. |
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Persia |
Per-zhuh. |
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Sadducees |
Sad-you-seez. |
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Zebulun |
Zeb-you-lun. |
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What Do You Think? In what ways can seeing creation lead you to worshipping God? Digging Deeper How would you respond in worship in this regard? |
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What Do You Think? How might your congregation’s influence in your community remind people of Jesus? Digging Deeper How will your congregation glorify the Lord locally? nationally? globally? |
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What Do You Think? How do believers discern whether to obey or disobey government leaders? Digging Deeper How do Daniel 3; Romans 13:1–14; Titus 3:1–2; and 1 Peter 2:13–17 inform your answer? |
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What Do You Think? How will you bring your best gifts to Jesus? Digging Deeper Who will you share those gifts with as an act of worshipping God? |
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What Do You Think? How can a believer discern whether a dream is from the Lord or not? Digging Deeper What Scriptures inform your response? |
Conclusion
A. Offer Thy Heart
A favorite Christmas carol of mine about the wise men is the nineteenth-century composition “The Three Kings” by Peter Cornelius. True, it has many of the legendary aspects of their story in presuming that they were kings, that they came from Persia, etc. The lesson of the carol is still powerful, though, and speaks to us today as one stanza implores the audience to travel with the kings to Bethlehem and offers hearts to the infant King of kings.
Most of us don’t have much gold to offer Jesus. And if we even had any frankincense or myrrh, how would we offer those? But we can offer Him sincere hearts in worship. He is the Son of God, the true Messiah. At this time of year when we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem, may we offer our most precious gift: our hearts.
B. Prayer
Father, help us to emulate the faith of the wise men! As they let nothing stop them from reaching Jesus, may we do so as well. May the faith that allowed them to thwart the plans of a powerful opponent be ours as well. May we offer Your Son, Jesus, no empty-handed worship. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Wise men and women seek to worship King Jesus only and fully.
Involvement Learning
Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).
Mark S. Krause, Andrew Wood, and Connie Chandler, “The Faith of the Wise Men,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2023–2024, ed. Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, vol. 71, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2023), 159–160.
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