Joy to the World – Wonders of His Love – Matthew 2:1-12

Introduction: In the sermon, “The Lord is ” we looked at Mary’s encounter with Gabriel and the announcement that she was chosen to be the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:26-38).

In the sermon, “The Savior ” we looked at Joseph’s encounter with the angel of the Lord. In a dream he was told to take Mary as his wife, and was reassured that God was involved in their story.

In the sermon, “No More Let and Grow” we looked at the story of the Shepherd’s encounter with the heavenly hosts, and their message about the newborn Savior of the world. God came to deliver us from sin and sorrow.

Today, we find ourselves looking at the story of the Magi’s journey to find and worship the newborn King. Our text is found in Matthew 2:1-12. These words reveal profound truths about “The of His (God’s) Love.” It shows us how God’s love reaches far beyond national, social, and cultural boundaries to draw people to Himself. The Magi, who were outsiders and foreigners, sought Jesus and responded with worship.

In this passage, we see how God’s love invites all people to experience His grace, His light, and the wonder of the Savior’s birth.

As we reflect on this story, let us explore five truths that demonstrate the wonders of God’s love and how we can respond to His love in our daily lives.

1. God’s Love Us First – 2:1-2

¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

The Magi were not Israelites, but from the east who saw the star and were drawn to seek the newborn King. They traveled a great distance, guided by a divine sign – “his star.” This reminds us that before we ever seek God, He is already seeking us. God took the initiative to reveal Himself to the Magi, just as He takes the initiative to reveal Himself to us today.

God’s love pursues us even when we are far away, whether spiritually or physically. Just as He guided the Magi to Jesus, He is always drawing people to Himself through different means:

• Through His .
• Through circumstances.
• Through
• Through people around us.
• Through Church

When we feel lost or distant, we can be assured that God is seeking us out – our God never moves. How should we respond? Well, I suggest that we should seek Him in return, trusting that He desires to lead us to greater knowledge of His love. After all, “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).

2. God’s Love in the Darkness -2:2

² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

The that guided the Magi symbolizes God’s light breaking into a dark world. The Magi lived in a land where they did not have the Scriptures or the full revelation of God, yet the light of Christ reached them.

Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. We read in Isaiah 9:2,

the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.

No matter how dark or confusing our circumstances may seem, God’s shines like a bright light to guide us. We are never left in spiritual darkness when we turn to Jesus, the Light of the World (John 8:12). Whether we are facing uncertainty, fear, or sorrow, we can look to Jesus for clarity, hope, and direction.

Also, we should seek to reflect His light in our lives (Matthew 5:13-16), being a beacon of His love to those around us who may be walking in darkness. And folks, there are a lot of people who are not only walking in darkness but live in total darkness. They need to see Jesus Christ this Christmas, and the only way they can is through those of us who possess the light. Share Him with others.

3. God’s Love is Worth Above All Else – 2:9-10

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.

The Magi’s journey was and difficult, but they were willing to go to great lengths to find Jesus. When they saw the star stop over the place where Jesus was, “they were overjoyed.” Their perseverance and determination to find the Savior demonstrate the value they placed on Him. They knew that discovering Jesus was worth every sacrifice.

Listen, God’s love is worth with all our hearts. In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. The Magi remind us that the pursuit of Jesus should be our highest priority. We are called to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), and in doing so, we will experience the joy and wonder of His presence. Are we willing to make sacrifices—of time, comfort, or resources—to draw closer to Him? When we prioritize Jesus, we experience the fullness of His love.

Pursue Jesus Christ with your whole life!

4. God’s Love Calls for Our -2:11

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.

When the Magi finally found Jesus, they down and worshiped Him. They didn’t just observe Him or admire Him from a distance; they responded with worship. This act of bowing down represents not only reverence but also a recognition of Jesus’ kingship and lordship.

In the Christmas account, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Wise Men (Magi) to the baby Jesus hold deep symbolic meaning:

1. : Represents kingship and royalty. It acknowledges Jesus as the King of Kings, emphasizing His divine and sovereign authority.
2. : Is an incense used in worship and symbolizes divinity. It highlights Jesus’ role as the Son of God and points to His priestly nature, as it was often used in temple rituals.
3. A resin used in embalming, symbolizes suffering and death. It foreshadows Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross for humanity’s salvation.

Together, these gifts signify Jesus’ identity as King, God, and Savior.

Folks, true love for God leads to worship. Worship is more than just singing songs or attending church; it is a life to God in every area. Does Jesus have all of you this Christmas? We are called to give our best to Him—our time, talents, and treasures. Just as the Magi offered valuable gifts, we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Let us consider how we can worship Jesus in our daily lives, through acts of love, service, and devotion.

5. God’s Love Our Path – 2:12

¹² Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

After encountering Jesus, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their country by another route. Their encounter with the Savior changed their , both physically and spiritually. When we experience the love of God through Christ, it transforms the path we walk and changes the course of our lives.

I am a pastor today because Jesus changed the direction of my life!

When we encounter the of God’s love, we can no longer walk the same path we once did. His love transforms our values, our priorities, and our actions. As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in a new way, guided by the Spirit and grounded in the truth of the gospel. Are there areas of our lives where we need to change direction? The Holy Spirit prompts us to live differently as we grow in the knowledge of God’s love. Let us be open to His leading, allowing His love to guide and shape our decisions and actions.

Conclusion: The story of the Magi is a beautiful picture of the of God’s love—a love that seeks us, shines in the darkness, is worth , calls for our worship, and transforms our lives. The Magi’s journey reminds us that when we encounter Jesus, we are changed forever. His love is not distant or passive; it is active, powerful, and life changing.

As we reflect on these five truths:

1. God’s love us first.
2. God’s love in the darkness.
3. God’s love is worth above all else.
4. God’s love calls for our
5. God’s love our path.

Let us be like the Magi, willing to seek Him with all our , to worship Him with all we have, and to allow His love to transform the way we live. The wonders of His love are too great to keep to ourselves. As we experience His love, let us also share it with the world around us, pointing others to the Light of the World.