Christmas: Session 3 of 3

 

Adult Christmas Bible Study

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Session 3: The Savior, the Wise Men and the Vision of Isaiah

Matthew 1:20-21, Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-7

In this session, we will look at the significance of the angels pronouncement to Joseph in terms of the Jewish community at that time, the issues surrounding the Magi, the “star in the east” and the meanings of the Isaiah passage. We will also discuss how the importance and meaning of parts of these passages have been misused.

The selected passages as found in The Complete Jewish Bible (Messianic Text)

Mattityahu 1:20-21

²⁰But while he was thinking about this, an angel of ADONAI appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means ADONAI saves} because he will save his people from their sins.

Mattityahu 2:1-12

¹After Yeshua was born in beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah during the time when Herod was king, Magi from the east came to Yerushalayim ²and asked, “ Where is the newborn King of the Jews: For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

³When King Herod heard of this he became very agitated, and so did everyone else in Yerushalayim. ⁴He called together all the head cohanim and Torah-teachers of the people and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” ⁵In Beit-Lechem of Y’hudah,” they replied, “bcause the prophet wrote,

⁶‘And you, Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah,

Are by no means the least among the rulers of Y’hudah;

For from you will come a Ruler

Who will shepherd my people Isr’el.’”

⁷Herod summoned the Magi to meet with him privately and asked them exactly when the star had appeared. ⁸Then he sent them to Beit-Lechem with these instructions: “Search carefully for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.”

⁹After they had listened to the king, they went away; and the star which they had seen in the east went in front of them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹Upon entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Miryam; and they prostrated themselves and worshipped him. Then they opened their bags and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹²But they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their own country.

Isaiah 60:1-7

¹Arise, shine [Yerushalayim], for your light has come, the glory of ADONAI has risen over you.

²For although darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the peoples; on you ADONAI will rise; over you will be seen His glory.

³Nations will go toward your light and kings toward your shining splendor.

⁴Riase your eyes and look around: they are all assembling and coming to you; your sons are coming from far off, your daughters being carried on their nurses’ hips.

⁵Then you will see and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with delight; for the riches of the seas will be brought toy you, the wealth of nations will come to you.

⁶Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midyan and ‘Eifah, ann of them coming from Sh’va, bringing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of ADONAI.

⁷All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered for you,

the rams of N’vayot will be at your service;

they will come up and be received on my altar,

as I glorify my glorious house.

Considerations concerning “The Savior”

1. What was the political, economic, cultural and social situation in Judah at the time of Christ’s birth?

2. What would be a modern day equivalent of what the Israelites were experiences during Herod’s rule?

3. There is a play on words revealed in the angel’s pronouncement when said in Aramaic or Hebrew: the Hebrew name for Jesus and for the word “save” sound very much alike. Is this rhyme significant?

4. The Hebrew word used for “sin” is “yasa”, which specifically means “their sins” not their enemy’s crimes against them. What would be the normal reaction to such a pronouncement at that time?

5. The Jewish scholars at Jesus’ time would have been very familiar with Isaiah 47. What does this passage suggest about the salvation offered through the Messiah?

6. Read Luke 13:1-5. Two serious offenses, one of Pilate slaughtering Jews as they worshiped (sacrificing) and the other of eighteen people dying in a disaster, are told to Jesus. In both cases, Jesus responds in a surprising manor. What were His responses and why would His listeners become angry?

7. How does Jesus’ response in Luke 13:5 reflect the angels announcement to Joseph?

8. How does the Song of Zechariah found in Luke 1:68-69 “politically correct”, but then in v76-77 suggest the same message as the angel’s?

9. What perspective on the mission of Christ is given in Ecclesiastes 4:1?

The Wise Men

1. Who were the “wise men” or “Magi” and where did they come from. What clues are given in Matthew about their origin? How would the early church have understood, “from the east”?

2. How would the early church have understood the phrase, “a star in the east” and the other references to the “star”?

3. What is the significance of the gifts the Magi gave to Christ? Why did the Magi first visit Jerusalem? Why couldn’t Herod’s group of wise individuals have found Christ for Herod themselves?

4. The word for “agitated” can also be translated as “angry.” Why did Herod want to know where Christ was born? What were the politics at that time?

5. What are some of the myths and ideas we have about the Magi that are not found in the Bible?

6. What basic concepts of Christ’s Earthly mission and conquest of death reflected by the Magi?

Isaiah 60:1-7

1. Who is the “you” mentioned in the first verse? How can this be understood differently?

2. What is the significance of “your walls” and “gates” in verses 10 and 11?

3. Consider Revelations 21:9-27. How does this compare to the Isaiah passage?

4. How is Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection reflected in this passage?

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