Jesus Heals the Syro-Phoenician/Canaanite Woman's Daughter (Teaching Notes)

Yesterday social media blew up with a viral video of someone calling Jesus a racist for referring to a Canaanite woman as a "dog," before casting a demon out of her daughter and healing the child. Jesus was not a racist. He created mankind with our beautiful and wondrous variety. He was descended from at least 2 Canaanite women himself (Tamar and Rahab). This encounter is an important pivot in Jesus' life as he begins a season of ministry to the Gentiles.  Time seems to be of the essence in this matter, so rather than wait until I had time to type up a complete article, I thought I would share my teaching notes from when we studied this in our  Bible fellowship group:

 

Scripture Passage:  

Mark 7:24-29

 

He got up and departed from there to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it, but could not escape notice. Instead, immediately after hearing about him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth and she was asking him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, Let the children be fed first, because it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. But she replied to him Lord even the dogs under the table eat the master’s crumbs. The he told here, Because of this reply you may go. The demon has left your daughter. When she went back to her home, she found her child lying on the bed and the demon was gone.

 

Cross References:

Matthew 15:21-28

 

When Jesus left there, he withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely tormented by a demon.” Jesus did not say a word to her His disciples approached him and urged him, “Send her away because she’s crying out after us.” He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came, knelt before him and said “Lord help me.” He answered, “It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Yes, Lord, she said, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want. And from that moment her daughter was healed.

 

Central Idea of Text

Jesus was amazed by the persistence and faith of a Gentile woman and cast a demon out of her daughter

 

Learning Objectives:

The students will be able to explain the important shift as Jesus begins a season of ministry to the Gentiles

 

Lesson Outline

Background: Jesus’ disciples had just finished a time of ministry to the Jews and John the Baptist had been killed. The disciples had also endured persecution, though they rejoiced in their ministry.

 

1. A Canaanite woman humbly approached Jesus

 

Jesus frequently sought quiet, a place to rest and pray. Rest is not a sin. It is biblical and good. As he and the disciples were seeking a respite from their hard work, a woman approached Jesus.

 

Mark calls her the Syro-Phoenician woman—she was from the region of Tyre and Sidon, or Phoenicia which was governed by the Roman empire as part of the province of Syria. These people were descended from Ham’s son Canaan, which is why Matthew calls her the Canaanite woman.

 

David and Solomon had been friends with Hiram the King of Tyre.

 

After King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel, daughter of the King of Sidon and introduced Ba’al worship, Elijah prayed that it would not rain and it didn’t for 3 ½ years. He stayed with a widow woman in Sidon. She used the last of her flour and oil to bake Elijah a loaf of bread in FAITH and God performed a miracle by keeping her oil and flour from running out and healing her son when he stopped breathing. Jesus referenced the fact that she was helped because of her faith when no Jewish widows were and they tried to kill Him.

 

Simon, the Canaanite was one of Jesus’ disciples.

 

Jesus himself was the lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, a physical descendant of Mary. Judah married a Canaanite woman and their descendants became the fine linen makers of Israel about 800 years later in David’s day. He also had twin boys with Tamar, another Canaanite woman. This was the beginning of the tribe. When the people of Israel entered the promised land, Rahab and her entire Canaanite family became part of the tribe. Jesus is directly descended from both Tamar and Rahab

 

2. Jesus Begins His Ministry to the Gentiles

 

Jesus had not yet been sent to the Gentiles, only to the lost sheep of Israel

 

A Gentile is anyone who is not of Jewish descent.

 

Apostello---Up to this point, Jesus had only been sent to the Jews. He only does what he sees the Father doing, and he had not yet been sent, given permission or liberty to go to the Gentiles

 

Lost--apollumi---lost, separated and perishing

                  

3. Healing Is For God’s Children

 

Jesus referred to the Jews as sheep and the Gentile woman as a dog.

 

Throwing the children’s bread to the dogs

 

Worshipped—proskuneo—prostrated herself before him. She wasn’t sitting at the table, she was laying down on the floor, like a dog

 

Tell about Shiloh and dogs under the table

          Beloved family pets

 

Children = Sheep, Unbelievers = Dogs or wolves.

 

The term dog: Kunarion—a little dog, also means one with an impure mind. The essence of become a Christian is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—a change that only the Holy Spirit can bring about.

 

Dog referred to Ba’al worshippers as the Phoenicians/Canaanites were. One of the practices of the cult was to drink wine laced with drugs to get high which they believed would allow their goddess to possess their bodies---they were inviting demons, which are fallen angels--evil spirits, into their lives. It is easy to understand how the child could have become afflicted I that culture.

         

Essentially, she had already abased herself. The term “dog” meant UNCLEAN.

She did not receive a blessing because of her works or her past. She received a blessing because of her FAITH.

 

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. –Matthew 7:6

 

4. She Sincerely Calls Jesus Lord (3 times)

 

Kurios means master. It was a term that one would use to show you belong to someone. She did not claim to be worthy but was completely humble. She showed faith and received the blessing because of faith alone.

 

The Bible tells us that Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. –Joel 2:32 quoted in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13

 

But Jesus also knows what is in the heart.

 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. –Matthew 7:21

 

He knew that she was being sincere.

 

5. Jesus healed her daughter without even being present.

 

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God healed her daughter the moment Jesus decided to cast the demon out. The evil spirit departed from the child, her mind was healed and she was set free.

 

Follow up:                        

This was the launching point for Jesus’ ministry to the Gentiles.

Mark records that after casting the demon out of the woman’s daughter, Jesus continued traveling through Tyre, then Sidon, then to the Decapolis, the 10 cities, Gentile territory and heals a deaf man without hesitation.

 

Matthew records that great Gentile crowds came and Jesus healed many, the lame, blind, crippled, mute and others. When they saw the mute speaking, the maimed (injured, wallowing, crippled, hurt) healthy, the lame walking and the blind seeing, they glorified the God of Israel (Gentiles)

 

This narrative provides an object lesson about Gentiles being invited to eat from the Lord’s table. It is a picture of communion. Jews and Gentiles did not eat together, yet after that day, Jesus fed the 4000.

 

Feeding of the 4000

-across the sea of Galilee in Gentile territory—the Decapolis—the region of the 10 cities

          -sitting down to eat a meal together AFTER teaching for 3 days

          -sign of a covenant, fellowship meal--COMMUNION

          -Jews and Gentiles ate together

Salvation is offered to all people. The Canaanite mother sincerely and humbly sought the Lord’s help, crying out for it. Will you call out to God to save your from the consequences of your sins? Will you look to Jesus as Lord and Master of your life?

The "Equality" Act Endangers Women and Attacks People of Faith

 Today I read the maliciously misnamed “Equality” Act and it is far worse than I could have ever imagined. This legislation is anti-women, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Christian, anti-science, anti-doctor and because it prevents efforts to provide Christian counseling, care and help to those who identify as LGBTQ, I believe the act is harmful to the very community it purports to protect. The bill is so clever in its conception and crafty in its construction that only a true sociopath could have written it.

 

If you have a teenage daughter going off to college, the school would legally be required to allow a biological male who identifies as transgender to be placed in a dorm room with her or another girl and to use the women’s bathroom and showers. The act specifically lists restrooms, locker rooms and dressing facilities as areas where the law of the United States of America would require men who call themselves women to have simultaneous and unrestricted access. Men can dress as women and participate in girl’s sports which is not only unfair, but dangerous. Men who call themselves women can apply for and receive women’s scholarships. As one lawyer/reporter pointed out: A transgender (bio-male) police officer or TSA agent could pat a woman down or perform a body cavity search even if they specifically requested a same sex agent. A gender dysphoric male could enter into a special room for breastfeeding mothers. The act specifically mentions shelters—which means that a mentally unstable, gender dysphoric male could sleep in a female only shelter for abused women.

 

Schools will be forced to hire teachers regardless of their sexual ideologies and behaviors—which is incredibly dangerous. Christian schools, colleges and universities would not be able to accept any sort of government funding or aid, vouchers or loans from students unless they complied with all of these mandates.

 

Christian and other faith-based adoption agencies would be completely shut out of the process unless they compromised their deeply held religious beliefs in the placement of children with those of shared faith and practice. Christian charities would likewise be descriminated against. All forms of Christian counseling, therapy and assistance designed to help LGBTQ people would be dubbed “conversion therapy” and banned. With the high rate of suicide being reported among LGBTQ persons, there is redemption, hope, healing, forgiveness and restoration to be found through Jesus, and the government is trying to outlaw any attempt to help them repent, turn to God, turn away from their self-destructive sin and live a more meaningful, restored life with dignity as the person God created them to be. They are trying to prevent Christians from offering a lifeline and they are attempting to take away the right of a person to choose to seek help to escape that lifestyle by removing the option.

 

It has been pointed out that the language about pregnancy discrimination is specifically and intentionally designed to accomplish the goals of the abortion industry to force doctors and nurses to perform or participate in abortions that may go against their deeply held religious beliefs. It would also force Christian employers and charities to pay for abortions and gender re-assignment surgeries.

 

I now see why the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has deemed this the most dangerous threat to religious liberty ever to be considered by the U.S. Congress. This act is shockingly unequal in its treatment of women and total disregard for their safety, well-being and civil rights. They are intentionally opening a Pandora’s box of  legal issues designed to harm people of faith. We have already witnessed the bullying and vicious attacks by the LGBTQ community on Christian Bakers, Florists, Photographers and even Nuns. With this act, they specifically name the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to nullify and remove the protections it restored.

A Healthy, Healed Heart from Faith, Food & Fitness

Fourteen months ago I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Those are scary words. Between work and school I had been putting in over 70 hours a week and it was too much. I had eaten nothing but fast food and school lunches, donut shop and concession stands for 3 months and I had been sick for most of that time. A sore throat that anti-biotics wouldn't heal developed into a nasty cough followed by weakness and difficulty breathing, which I "medicated" with three 20 ounce Cokes per day. It got to the point where I couldn't lay down without feeling like I was drowning for lack of oxygen. I was treated for double pneumonia and asthma but when the medicine ran out I was right back in the Emergency Room where they discovered that my heart was only pumping 25% of it's blood with each heartbeat when it should have an Ejection Fraction of 50-70%. 

I remembered a worship service I had attended about 8 years ago where a pilot who had been in heart failure with an EF in the 30's had recovered and improved to the point where his heart was pumping at 57% and he was able to fly again. The nurse had called it a miracle. An elder of the church who is a well-known surgeon confirmed the testimony. This was very encouraging to me and that is the reason I am sharing this story, so that others may be strengthened, encouraged and have faith. 

Today my heart is fine. My EF is 60. The last technician who looked at my heart described it as Perfectly Normal. And my cardiologist has officially pronounced my heart to be Fully Normal with no restrictions. Three areas of life have been important in my recovery: 1. FAITH 2. FOOD and 3. FITNESS. I hope by sharing what I have learned that others will benefit. I will address these in reverse order to save the most important aspect, Faith, for last.

1. FITNESS

About 2.5 weeks after I got out of the hospital, I was able to start exercising. I began walking laps around a little section of pasture while I was visiting my parents over Christmas. I would walk for 15 to 20 minutes.

When I returned home, I began walking about 2.5 miles per day. Obviously, to be able to do this, I believe prayer had made a dramatic effect and I consider it a great work of God. My heart had improved from an ejection fraction of 25 to 33 within the first month. Walking on my beautiful walking trail had 3 effects. 

1. It was wonderfully relaxing, stress relief. 

2. It began to strengthen my heart. 

3. It helped me to lose weight. 

On March 16, over Spring Break, I increased to walking 5+ miles per day and added a cardio dumbell routine. Using 10 lb dumbells, I would do 10 single arm curls, 10 rows, 10 military presses in front, 10 back presses, 10 across the body curls and then lie down on the floor and do 20 bench presses. I would do these in one continuous superset and then add 25 crunches. I started with 1 superset per day, then increased to 2 after a week and then increased to 3 after a few more weeks. This type of weight lifting is not about putting on muscle. It is about losing weight, safely gaining strength and most importantly, improving circulation. I would then do some windmill like arm circles and twisting exercises followed by a stretching routine--all about increasing circulation. A few weeks later I had an echo cardiogram which showed that my Ejection Fraction had improved to approx. 45%.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit listed as patience or forebearance also means perseverance. I believe the Spirit helped me to persevere in this course. We should also remember that part of physical fitness also includes rest and sabbath. By October, my EF was 60. 

2. FOOD

Everything we eat out of a box or can or any type of frozen dinner is overloaded with ludicrous amounts of sodium which is like poison to someone in heart failure because it causes fluid retention in the lungs and body that causes extra work for the heart. I also assume that every restaurant or pre-prepared meal contains excess sodium. While I was healing I ate almost nothing out of a can except for low sodium vegetables, drained and rinsed. I ate nothing frozen with any type of sauce added to eat. I ate nothing breaded or battered and deep fried and mostly avoided fried potatoes of any kind. No white bread, flour tortillas. It took a few weeks to hit my new eating stride but while I was healing I ate No fast food ever and absolutely no Pizza. Absolutely no Caffeine ever and no drinks with sugar ever. I wanted off of cholesterol medicine and the unnecessary diabetes medication (which I now am). I needed my body to function at the highest possible level. I have heard people say that physical fitness is 20% exercise and 80% what you eat and I believe it. 

In the book of Daniel, we learn that Daniel and his three friends declined the rich, lavish foods from the Kings table and refused to eat meat sacrificed to idols. They only ate things that were grown and were incredibly healthy as a result. We learn that in Noah's day everything was safe to eat, but by Moses' time the earth was polluted again and only fish with scales and animals that both part the hoof and chew the cud were clean and good to eat. It turns out that those animals have specially designed digestive systems that rid their bodies of toxins and make the meat healthier. Avoiding bottom feeding fish is also a good idea. I set out to eat as much fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good fats and lean, clean proteins as possible. Any time I was in a situation where I needed to accept someone's hospitality and was served pork or a food I was avoiding, I exercised my New Testament right to pray a special blessing over it. But in preparing my own meals, I took advantage of Biblical wisdom. I have never eaten better or enjoyed my food more than I did over the last year, but it took some new thinking. Self-Control is also a fruit of the Spirit and I believe the Spirit helped me tremendously in this endeavor.

Here is a typical eating day:

Breakfast: Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk, Banana

Lunch: Turkey & lowfat cheese on whole grain wheat, blue corn chips, spinach salad, apple 

Dinner: Spinach salad with tomatoes, cucumber, carrots & feta, Baked boneless skinless chicken breast strips, 3 kinds of roasted vegetables such as summer squash with lemon pepper and then halved golden/red potatoes, carrots or cauliflower with extra virgin olive oil & McCormick's garden veggie seasoning or asparagus with evoo and lemon pepper, light yoplait yogurt

Snacks: Nature Valley Oat & Honey Granola Bar, low sodium triscut crackers, peanut butter crackers, apple with peanut butter, fruit cup: (strawberry, grapes, mandarin oranges, cantalope, pineapple)

Not so Guilty pleasure: pop secret homestyle popcorn, 2 squares dark chocolate, Caffeine Free Coke Zero

For 10 months, that is pretty much what I ate about 90% of the time. I was like Forrest Gump with his shrimp when it came to me and boneless skinless chicken breast and veggies. I would occasionally make a meatloaf with low sodium seasoning. Whole Wheat pasta doesn't spike blood sugar and increase blood pressure like regular can. The rotini and penne are the best. I switched to Ragu Simply sauce which is made with good olive oil instead of bad oil and it has much less sugar and salt. I have added low sodium black beans to increase HDL. I would sometimes add some Panko to the chicken for crunch. Lemon is a great cooking ingredient that adds savoryness without salt. I would eat out once per week---grilled chicken with veggies in a variety of ways and occasionally a small steak. I also had TACOS once per week. Lean, homegrown quality Santa Gertrudis Beef browned with cracked black pepper and seasoned with McCormick's low sodium taco mix, crispy white corn shells instead of flour tortillas, low fat sour cream, reduced fat cheese, fresh tomatoes and shredded lettuce/spinach. They are delicious and much healthier than the alternative way of making them. My Doctor also recommended fish for the HDL which I eat sometimes. Now that I am better, Sweets and Cheat foods are a special treat. I will have an individual cheat food like a dessert of a sausage biscuit once a week or so. I tend to eat a cheat meal about once a month. When a food like pancakes, fried chicken, pizza or a restaurant burger and tots is on the menu about once every 3 months or so, it tastes really delicious and is a special treat. It just can't be part of my regular food intake.

I lost 30 pounds and kept it off for 6 months. When I relaxed a little too much on food and didn't exercise enough this winter, I gained 10 lbs back, so here I go to try to lose it again. 

3. FAITH

Prayer and Worship are essential. I believe that anytime anyone recovers from an illness or injury God should receive all of the glory, praise and most importantly thanks for it. From the moment I entered the hospital, I had my Facebook friends, students from school, church family--hundreds of people that prayed for me and I can guarantee that they made a tremendous difference. When I was staying up all night, unable to sleep, waiting to go to the Urgent Care, I listened to worship music and I can tell you I was less concerned with differences I had with certain churches than in the theological worth of individual songs. Worship got me through the night.

As important, meaningful, powerful and effective as remote prayer is, I am also grateful for friends, family, church family and pastors who came to my bedside to pray for me. James 5:14 asks: Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. I wasn't anointed with oil, but I was prayed for and it was God who healed me in His mercy. This is a practice that shouldn't be neglected. There is something to humbling oneself to ask for prayer and the witness it brings to those who pray for you and to those such as nurses who witness it.

Mark 16:18 tells us to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. This represents God's power flowing through us into another person. He does the healing, not us. A friend shared with me that she had struggled with similar heart problems and I prayed for her whenever I thought of it from far away...still do. There is something about forgetting ourselves and selflessly praying for others that unleashes God's healing in our own lives and we only realize it afterwards. When possible we should lay hands on people and pray for their healing and humbly seek such prayer ourselves. 

After I returned home from Christmas, in addition to regular Sunday worship, I began attending an extra worship service on Saturday evening in order to spend more time in corporate worship. Jesus said: For wherever two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. God's manifest presence shows up in a special way when believer's gather together that is different than when we are alone. Psalm 22:3 exclaims: Yet You are Holy, You who are enthroned on the praises of Israel. God inhabits our praises and we welcome His kingdom in our lives when we worship. Offering praise and worship is the appropriate way to enter His Presence. I went to those services because I wanted to worship with other believers and I wanted to be in God's Presence. I also knew that healing comes from spending time in the Presence of God. I considered the time spent in worship to be part of my recovery and more important than even the medicine. 14 months ago my heart's ejection fraction was 25 and in congestive heart failure. Today it is 60 and fully normal. The medicine I was given can ease the burden on the heart, but it cannot heal it. That comes from God and I give Him every bit of the credit--all of the glory, honor, praise and thanks. 

The Journey of the Magi: An Eventful Day in Jerusalem, Part 2

 The arrival of the Magi caused quite a stir in the city of Jerusalem. A caravan of camels carrying traders and their goods would have made for an exciting day, but when that caravan accompanied a group of magi searching for a newborn King, it completely disturbed the peace of Jerusalem. For generations the magi had served as advisors to rulers. The Magi are rightly called Wise Men, because they sought out Jesus. They were highly educated, being well versed in the subjects of their day which would have included mathematics, astronomy, political science and more. Their training also included a fair dose of the supernatural by mixing in numerology with mathematics and astrology with astronomy. A new star suddenly popping up in the sky would have gotten their prompt attention.

 

These men were not new to the Biblical histories. We are introduced to them in the book of Daniel. The magi advised King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Daniel and his three friends received the same education, but were found to be 10 times wiser through the wisdom that comes from above. Because Daniel was made the chief of the wise men and eventually a declaration was sent throughout the entire empire that the God of the Hebrews was to be revered, their successors would have almost certainly been aware of his prophecy about the coming Messiah and would have known that the appropriate amount of time had passed.

 

Let’s look at the Biblical account of the visit of the Wise Men:

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem saying “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this, he was deeply troubled and all Jerusalem with him.

 

Being skilled in astronomy, the men had noticed a new star in the sky and followed it, pulling right into Jerusalem and going directly to the palace to pay homage to the new King. These men had come to curry favor and secure future good relations. Instead, they were the bearers of news that was most unwelcome to the ruling elite. While Jesus’ birth was good news to the common folk, to Herod and the Sadducees, this was the worst news ever.

 

King Herod ("the Great") was the darling of Rome. He ruled over Judea as a vassal king of Caesar. He built the port city of Caesarea as a tribute to Caesar so that Roman nobles arriving by boat would see Roman columns and enjoy a hippodrome, theater and luxury accommodations. Inland, he built a lavish palace in Jericho and a luxurious country stronghold near Bethlehem which he named Herodium after himself. In Jerusalem he dramatically increased the size of the temple mount and monetized religion by charging a temple tax. Imagine being charged admission to get into church. A lucrative business also developed for selling the necessary animals for sacrifices. Herod and the religious leaders were living high on the hog with extravagant clothing, rich food and lives of privilege as Roman pawns. News of the King of the Jews being brought by a caravan of foreign emissaries directly to the current occupant of the throne was not welcome news to them at all.

 

There has been much speculation about where the wise men came from. The Bible says that they came from the East which means that they were not Egyptian wise men from the south, nor were they Assyrian wise men from the north. They were from the East. Biblically, the term "land of the East," refers to anything East of the Jordan River. The certainly included the Babylonian and Persian Empires, based in modern day Iraq and Iran. The one time capital cities of Babylon and Suza are located almost due East of Jerusalem. In Daniel’s day, there were many of the magi living in Babylon, advising the King. In fact, there was a famous school for them with 3 levels of learning in ancient Babylon. In Esther’s day, many of these wise men were likely headquartered a bit further East in Susa, where the King was ruling from. They came from Babylon and/or Susa, due East of Jerusalem. Here is a map:

 

 

The city of Hillah, built over the site of ancient Babylon is 542 miles due East of Jerusalem near modern day Bagdad. It would take a fit person about 3 weeks to walk in a straight line. We also encounter such wise men in the historical book of Esther which took place in Susa, about 228 miles further East beyond Babylon. The map shows various routes that a caravan might take around the desert. If the magi began making preparations for their prophesied journey by camel caravan after seeing the star appear on the night of Jesus birth, we could reasonably expect them to arrive in Bethlehem about 5 or 6 weeks later. I have wondered why the entire city would have been thrown into an uproar over the news of the Messiah, if Anna had already delivered it. I am quite convinced that they arrived on the very same day. Anna shared the good news with the faithful Jews who were waiting, hoping and eagerly anticipating the arrival of their Messiah. The wise men brought the news to those who were less eager, the secular government and corrupt religious leaders. Since all of Jerusalem was stirred up over the news, I believe it only makes sense that 40 days after Jesus’ birth, on the very same afternoon or evening after the temple visit, the wise men showed up bringing the news to Herod. With Anna proclaiming the birth of the Messiah to the temple visitors and the hearers (or gossippers) excitedly spreading the news throughout the city, the caravan of Magi arrived, also announcing the birth of the new Jewish King. The city was in pandemonium.

 

After hearing the news, Herod responded this way:

 

So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born. In Bethlehem of Judea, they told him, because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 

After hearing the king, they went on their way and there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

Jerusalem is about 7 miles north of Bethlehem. If the wise men approached from the North, having gone up and around the desert along the caravan route, the Star would have appeared directly behind Jerusalem in Bethlehem. If they crossed the desert, it would have brought them in the direction of these two cities. Either way, as they got closer, the star was situated directly above Jerusalem. I believe this is because Jesus was in the city for his presentation at the temple. As the magi departed from the palace, they were elated to see the star back up in the sky, but it was in motion. The only explanation I can think of for the star moving and leading them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is that as Mary and Joseph took Jesus back to Bethlehem, the star followed overhead. As the city became chaotic with excitement, Joseph probably got his family up and out of there, leaving at twilight. The wise men were able to follow the star as Scripture says it led them directly to Jesus, settling over the house where He was. 

The wealthy visitors worshipped Jesus and presented Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These gifts are of great significance.

I. GOLD: Jesus is King 

Gold was a fitting present to set before royalty. This gift honored and recognized Jesus as King. God had given Adam mashal, granting him the authority to reign over the earth as His representative, like a vassal King.  Adam had foolishly lost some of that power when he listened to Satan's voice over God's and sinned. As the second sinless Adam, Jesus took that lost authority back. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16). When the Gabriel the angel spoke to Mary he reiterated the words of the prophet Isaiah: 

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

II. FRANKINCENSE: Jesus is God

Frankincense is an aromatic, burned by priests as an offering to God. It comes from the sap, or resin from a tree and can be used to make perfume or burning incense for use in worship. It was an appropriate presentation that recognized and honored Jesus as Divine. Jesus is fully God, of one essence with the Father and has always existed.

III. MYRRH: Jesus is a Man

Myrrh was a perfume that was used in burial preparations. This gift foreshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross and his subsequens burial and resurrection. Jesus would die for our sins, to reconcile us back to God. Jesus if fully man, and can relate to us.

These gifts symbolically demonstrate that Jesus is both God and man. He would die to save us. They remind us that Christ is both human and divine, a man of suffering and the victorious risen King. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and while he chose to come humbly as a savior, offering peace, he will one day return bringing justice and judgement upon his enemies.  

These gifts were products of the land of the East. Genesis 25:6 tells us that Abraham gave gifts to the grandchildren of Ishmael, the son he had with his wife Sarah's handmaid named  Hagar. He also gave gifts to his grandchildren from his second wife Keturah, whom he married after Sarah died. He sent the descendants across the Jordan river to the Land of the East. 

Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, but while he was still alive he sent them eastward, away from his son Isaac, to the land of the East. 

God had promised that ALL of the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham's lineage.  Isaiah prophesied reconciliation with these children from across the river as they too would be blessed by Jesus, a descendant of Abraham. Here are some highlights from Isaiah Chapters 59-60 that relate directly to the visit of the Magi.

They will fear (revere) the name of Yahweh in the West and his glory in the East...The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression. 

The word Jacob here refers to the nation of the descendants of the man whose name was changed to Israel. The Redeemer is promised to those who repent and turn away from their sins.  This reminds us that in order to be redeemed, or saved, we must turn away from our sins and toward Jesus. In the verses that follow God promises to send His Holy Spirit to those who believe. After that, the prophet declares:

Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD shines over you. For look, darkness will cover the earth and total darkness all the peoples, but the LORD will shine over you and his glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to your shining brightness...

Caravans of camels will cover your land--young camels of Midian and Ephah--all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on my altar as an acceptable sacrifice. I will glorify my beautiful house. 

Out of the darkness, came a great light, Jesus. The star shining over the place where Jesus' was, drawing the Magi to Him, reminds us of this important truth.  The cities mentioned are named after descendants of Abraham, all East of the Jordan River. The gold and frankincense the Wise Men brought as presents to the Christ child were products of Arabia and an offering laid at the feet of the newborn King. 

The original audience of Isaiah's prophetic discourse would likely have assumed these verses were about God blessing Israel by returning the people back into the promised land from exile and bringing prosperity to Jerusalem, the shining city on a hill. The predictions of these chapters were partially fulfilled, but not completely. They were intended to leave the people of Israel and even ourselves asking, is more yet to come? These prophecies actually have a dual fulfillment, an initial partial down payment on the promise, but with a glance toward the future, looking forward not only to the coming incarnation of Christ, but to his redemptive work and the completion of the promise at the end of days. 

Caravans did indeed visit Jerusalem with camels and dromedaries raised in Midian, bringing riches and goods. On the occasion of the Magi's visit we specifically see that the prophet's words were true, God's promise was kept and the great light drawing the children of Abraham together is Jesus. The Wise Men were the beginning, many more of the children of Abraham living in the land East of the Jordan would come to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord. 

Much of the area we know as the Middle East today once sheltered a flourishing Christian community and thriving church. I have an English copy of The Diatessaron by Tatian, a 4 part harmony of the Gospels dating back to 150 A.D. written in Syriac, a Christian form of Aramaic that was used by these believers in the East. It was only after the religion of Islam was invented by Muhammed in 610 A.D. that these nations, some of them predominantly Christian, were attacked and forcibly "coverted," to Islam in the following centuries. Islam is a religion whose primary belief is inscribed inside their temple built on top of the site of the fallen temple in Jerusalem: "Far be it from God that he should have a son." The entire religion exists as an anti-Christian movement, leading the physical descendants of Abraham astray. As Christians, who are the true, spiritual children of Abraham, rather than view Muslims as enemies, we should view them as prodigals, people who were conquered and led astray, people Jesus died for, people God wants to save. Muslim countries are not the enemy of Christians, they are our mission field, the most difficult mission field because their leaders actively persecute Christians and try to prevent the good news about Jesus from being shared. They are stealing the birthright of Abraham's other children. Our goal is evangelization and reconciliation. 

After presenting their gifts and worshipping Jesus, the magi went home.

And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. Then Herod, when he realized he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under; in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.

Herod himself was not a Jew. He was an Idumean. Idumea is the Greek way of pronouncing Edom, where the Edomites lived. Edom means “Red,” which was the nickname of Esau, Jacob’s brother. Herod was a descendant of Esau. The Jews were descended from Jacob. It is significant that God sent wealthy royal advisors to Herod because he sent messengers he would listen to. From the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth, God reached out to Gentiles or non-Jews, just like Simeon prophesied. God immediately reached out to one of Esau’s descendants. Many of them would become Christians eventually, but not Herod. The Magi brought the message of good news right to his doorstep, but he rejected it. He refused to accept the Gospel. Not only that, but he tried to have Jesus murdered so that he could stay in power. Sadly, many of the religious leaders would react in similar fashion. Like Herod, they hardened their hearts and rejected the Messiah.   

 

The magi were warned in a dream about Herod's scheme and altered their route home to avoid him. Even though they told him precisely when the star appeared, Herod flew into a mad rage and ordered the execution of every child within a 2 year age range, from birth all the way to two years old in and around Bethlehem. History tells us that eleven innocent children died by the order of this power hungry lunatic, a fact that Jeremiah had sadly prophesied. After the visit of the wise men, the star is not mentioned again and since Herod was not able to use it to find Jesus, we can reasonably deduce that the phenomena disappeared. 

After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and escaped to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod’s death so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called my son.

As soon as the magi left, once again Joseph was visited in a dream by an angel who warned him of impending danger. He took Mary and the child and fled in the middle of the night, narrowly escaping Herod's wrath as he whisked his family safely away to Egypt, gifts in hand. As I alluded to earlier, it is common for Old Testament texts to have 2 meanings—a literal and immediate meaning and a future, prophetic meaning. Originally, the Bible spoke of God calling his “son,” the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Now, we see this statement having a secondary meaning, prophetically pointing to Jesus who would deliver us out of bondage and slavery to sin in the same way that God delivered Israel out of bondage and slavery to Egypt, which symbolically represents sin.

 

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling of Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. The he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.  

 

Once Herod was dead, an angel from the Lord told Joseph it was safe to come back to Judea, so He, Jesus and Mary returned home to Nazareth. With their return to their own town of Nazareth, every prophecy about the birth of Jesus had been completely fulfilled, including the prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene. The Messiah had come. 

Matthew's account of the events surrounding Jesus' birth ends there. Luke ends his account of these early events with these words:

The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom and God's grace was on Him. 

 SERIES CONCLUSION

In this Advent series we have studied a variety of responses to the news of Jesus’ birth. The Shepherds heard the news proclaimed by God’s holy angels who are ministering spirits. They believed it, came to Jesus, worshipped Him and then shared the good news with others. This sets the precedent for the preaching of the Gospel. We tell others the good news and the Holy Spirit works in their hearts. If they believe it they come to Jesus, worship Him and then tell others the good news about the forgiveness of sins and salvation that is found in Him.

The Holy Spirit drew Simeon to the temple. He believed, came to meet Jesus and then praised Him out loud. Anna heard Simeon’s exclamation, believed and declared the good news to all who were awaiting redemption. But not everyone responded that way. Herod rejected the good news, refused to accept Jesus as his Messiah and tried to kill him.

The question is, how will you respond? Will you harden your heart against God like Herod? Or will you be like Simeon, Anna and the Shepherds? Will you accept Jesus as your Messiah, your Deliverer, your Savior?

Simeon & Anna Meet Jesus: An Eventful Day in Jerusalem, Part 1

 Jesus’ first trip into the storied city of Jerusalem was an eventful one. Forty days after he was born, Mary and Joseph took him into Jerusalem to continue fulfilling what the Law required. Their obedience provides us with special insight into the longing and attitude of faithful Jews who had been awaiting the arrival of their promised Savior. Mary and Joseph followed Leviticus 12:2-5 to the letter which delivered instructions for allowing a woman time to heal after giving birth to a child and provides directions for how an Israelite child was to be cared for as well:

Tell the Israelites: When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a male child, she will be unclean seven days, as she is during the days of her menstrual impurity. The flesh of his foreskin must be circumcised on the eighth day. She will continue in purification from her bleeding for thirty-three days. She must not touch any holy thing or go into the sanctuary until completing her days of purification. 

After allowing Mary 7 days to heal, the young couple took Jesus to receive the sign of God's Covenant with Israel, a promise Jesus came to keep, follow, fulfill and otherwise complete from both sides.  Luke 2:21-38 narrates these historical events that took place after the Christ child was born:

At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus was named before he was even conceived. Eight days after he was born, the Christ child was circumcised by a local priest in Bethlehem and the name that is above all other names, Jesus, was formally bestowed upon him. This name means “Yahweh is Salvation.” Yahweh is the personal name of God. Such a name tells us that we have a God who loves and cares for us and desires a personal relationship with us so much that He sent His Son to provide a way for us to be saved and reconciled to Him.

Circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant, but like much of the Old Testament instructions for cleanliness, it also has practical medical benefits and is still common today for that reason. Baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign of the New Covenant, but it is for believers who are old enough to make a decision to follow Christ. This is why we Baptists do not baptize infants. 

It is, however, common to have baby dedications, a practice which also has Biblical roots. While it is not a requirement, it is still meaningful and a good form of worship. About a month after his circumcision, Jesus, Himself, was dedicated in the temple:

And when the days of their purification according the Law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons)

Thirty-three days after Jesus was circumcised, forty days after he was born, Mary's days of purification were completed. This means that she would no longer be considered "unclean" because her body had received sufficient time to heal after giving birth and she could go to the temple. It was God himself who instituted the concept of a rest for mothers after delivering a child.  

The couple took Jesus to the temple to present and dedicate him to the Lord and to present offerings in accordance with God’s Law. According to Leviticus 12, they were to bring a yearling lamb to sacrifice as a burnt offering and either a pigeon or a turtle dove as a sin offering. A couple that could not afford a lamb could offer two fowl instead. Mary and Joseph were of humble means so they availed themselves of this option presenting one bird as a burnt offering and one as a sin offering. I view the burnt offering as an offering of thanks to God. Joseph and Mary were righteous people, they were in a right standing with God because they followed His laws, but they were not sinless. The sin offering was not because anything about having a child was sinful, but rather a recognition that all people have sinned and need to be forgiven. Mary would leave the temple completely clean, both physically and spiritually.

These offerings were a special act of worship, thanks and reverence for God who had blessed them with a child. The word holy means to be set apart. This dedication of the firstborn child was a way of setting him apart for a special purpose and asking God’s blessing that the whole family would be blessed through him. In fact, all of Abraham’s family tree would be blessed through Jesus.

While visiting the temple complex, Joseph, Mary and Jesus met two true believers:

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple.

The word translated as consolation, is the Greek word paraklesis, which means comfort or “Comforter.” This was a title given by rabbis to the Messiah. How fitting that Simeon was refer to Jesus as “The Comforter of Israel.” Jesus himself would one day promise to send the His Spirit to believers to live inside of us as our Comforter. Beginning with the proclamation of the angel Gabriel to Mary, then to Joseph and now with the Spirit’s interaction with Simeon, we see that the Holy Spirit will be front and center throughout the New Testament. That very day as Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to present him to the Lord, the Holy Spirit guided Simeon to come to the temple. God had promised him that he would live to see the Messiah, the Savior of his people. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, meaning that he was eagerly waiting hoping and anticipating the coming of the Messiah and trusting in God to deliver His people. Simeon was surely comforted that day as he lay eyes upon the Lord and held him in his arms.

When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the Law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God and said: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to you word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon praised God in a song declaring that Jesus would be a light, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He could now die in Shalom, in peace, knowing that his people would be redeemed. The Holy Spirit also revealed to Simeon that God’s salvation would be for both Jews and Gentiles, for all tongues, tribes, nations and people groups on earth, for all who believe. God had promised that all of the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham, and now, they would indeed be blessed and reconciled through his descendants, the people of Israel and more specifically through Jesus.

And his father and mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also) so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. He had been blessed and would now pronounce a blessing upon the new parents. He prophesied that Jesus would be the reason for both the rise and fall of many in Israel. Those who elevated themselves would be brought low and those who humbled themselves would be exalted. The arrogant religious leaders would be brought low and the poor believers would be lifted up. Those who place their faith in Jesus as the only source of salvation will be raised from the dead to live with Him in heaven. Those who do not believe will destroyed in Limne Pur, the Lake of Fire.

In prophesying that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, he predicts the sword of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side to confirm his death on the cross, which must have been a heartbreaking, devastating moment for her. God knows the thoughts and intentions of the human heart. In the act of crucifying Jesus, the religious leaders would finally reveal their true nature to the world. The wolves showed their teeth. Their pride led to a fall. Their power and grip on the people would be lessened as Christianity grew. Their authority would be taken away and given to the humble followers of Christ.

During their trip to the temple, Mary and Joseph also encountered a prophetess named Anna.

There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

  Just as Simeon was speaking to Mary and Joseph, Anna arrived. If married at age 20, she would have been about 111 years old and had been faithfully serving God through prayer for most of her long life. She was so excited that she spoke to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. This means that she told the good news to the faithful Jews of the city and those visiting the temple from around the world who, like Simeon, were hoping, trusting and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. 

After her husband’s untimely death left her as a widow, Anna lived her entire life alone without a kinsman redeemer to marry her.  She must have been intimately acquainted with the feeling of longing for redemption and the need for a redeemer. Some of the hearers might have understood that they were being redeemed, rescued and saved from their sins, while others might have mistakenly thought this news meant they were being freed from Roman rule. Time would reveal the truth. Either way, the news of the Messiah must have been very exciting. The city of Jerusalem must have been buzzing with excitement. Could this be true? Could this be real? 

Simeon and Anna learned the truth about the Messiah and they responded appropriately. The Holy Spirit revealed the truth directly to Simeon and he believed, came to Jesus, praised Him and then blessed and encouraged Mary and Joseph, proclaiming a message of good news to the young couple. Anna heard Simeon’s proclamation, believed, thanked/worshipped God and then began proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ birth to men and women who had been eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. 

Simeon and Anna responded with enthusiasm to Jesus. When the good news or Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, the Holy Spirit speaks to the hearts of men and women calling on us to respond. How will you respond? Will you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Will you believe that He died for your sins and rose again victorious over death? Will you place your faith in Him and worship Him too? Will you be like Anna and share the good news by telling others?

Here is the link to the Final Installment of this series: The Journey of the Magi