CRITICAL NOTES
Matthew 2:11. House.—It is not reasonable to suppose that the holy family would require to stay long in the public khan or caravanserai, where the infant Saviour was born. Worshipped.—The gathering of the Gentiles to the light of Israel was an essential part of true Judaism, and could not but be represented in the Gospel which set forth the glories of the King (Maclaren). Gifts.—Natural enough as the traditional gifts of homage to a ruler (Plumptre). Gold would be always a suitable present. Frankincense and myrrh would be used chiefly in the houses of the great and in holy places. They were prized for the delicious fragrance which they suffused (Morison).
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Matthew 2:9-11
Doing homage.—In these verses the story of the previous verses is carried a step in advance. The infant King is not only heard of now, He is also beheld. Not only, now, is His kingdom proclaimed; not only is there evidence, now, that the proclamation is understood; we also find it obeyed. Only, however, as in the somewhat parallel case of 1 Samuel 10:26, by a few; even by those “wise men” of whom we were previously told. Touching these, we see in this passage:
1. How they were brought to this sight.
2. How they were affected thereby.
I. How they were brought to this sight.—We may attribute this, in the first place, to their own perseverance and faith. Unlike the priests, who had only pointed out the right place (Matthew 2:5); unlike Herod, who had only asked others to seek it (Matthew 2:8); these men started to find it. It would appear, moreover, that they did so with some degree of anxiety. If they had gained something in hearing of Bethlehem, they had lost something in missing the star. (For so the subsequent mention of it in Matthew 2:9-10, seems to imply.) For all that, however, they at once followed such light as they had. Bethlehem was the place in which they were bidden to search. To Bethlehem, therefore, “when they had heard the king, they departed.” They were brought to it, next, by the special mercy of God. This was manifested in two separate ways. The way of special encouragement. As they started (so it appears) the “star” reappeared. The sight filled them with joy (Matthew 2:10). Knowing to what it had previously guided them, viz. to hearing of Bethlehem as the predicted birthplace of the King they were seeking, they naturally rejoiced to see it again; and felt its reappearance so to be like the voice of a tried friend in their ears. The way of specific direction. After reappearing, the “ ‘star’ went before them” (Matthew 2:9) to show them the right way. After going before them, it “stood” still (ibid.), to show them the right spot. “There—under that roof—in that dwelling—is the sight you desire. You have but to go in.”
II. How they were affected by what they saw in that dwelling.—Very significant, on this point, was their demeanour. In a direct manner we are told very little of what they beheld. “They saw the young Child and His mother.” They saw the Babe for which they were seeking, where such a babe might be expected to be, in the arms of its mother. What kind of sight was thus seen by them we can only see, as it were, by reflection—in their looks and gestures. They “fall down” before that Infant in arms. They offer Him worship and homage. Their knees, their hands, their lips even (?) are kissing the ground before Him. Every gesture shows that they have found in Him the King whom they sought. Almost more significant, next, are their gifts. “The peculiar treasure of kings” (Ecclesiastes 2:9) is what they present unto Him. The things which they have brought from so far, and carried so carefully, and concealed from all others, they “open” for Him. The tribute of “gold,” the adoration of “frankincense,” the preserving virtue of “myrrh,” are what we see them present. Some think that there is unconscious prophecy as well as homage in this last; and that in this mention of “myrrh,” so soon after His birth, there is a silent reference to His death (see John 19:39). At any rate, about the homage there is no manner of doubt. Neither is there any doubt, so we may notice yet further, about the impressiveness of this homage. Not only the nature of the gifts which were presented, but the men that brought them, the distance they came from, the guidance vouchsafed them, and the very tenderness of age of the King to whom these offerings were brought, are significant on this point. Much is rightly made in the Bible of the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon and of the gifts which she brought (1 Kings 10:2; 1 Kings 10:10, etc.; also Luke 11:31). Great was the evidence afforded thereby of his reputation and power. All this homage, however, was paid to one who, in the ripeness of his age, was seated on the throne of his father David, and had just completed the temple of God. The homage paid here was to an infant in arms, who was hid in a dwelling which had to be pointed out to eyes that had been looking for it for months. It spoke, therefore, with even louder voice and greater accentuation of meaning. It showed that Jesus in obscurity was felt to be greater far than even Solomon in his glory; and that this Son of David, even in His infancy, was far above that!
HOMILIES ON THE VERSES
Matthew 2:9-10. The Magi led to Bethlehem.—The wise men follow the direction of Scripture and go toward Bethlehem, having (so far as we read) neither convoy nor encouragement of any company.
1. If we desire to find Christ we must resolve to go after Him, alone or in company, either with or without encouragements from men, as God shall dispose.
2. God is not wanting to such as are on the way to seek Christ, but will renew directions and encouragements unto them as they stand in need; for the star which for a time disappeared, now appeareth again to them.
3. What one means doth not reach, God supplieth by another. The Scripture had told them of Bethlehem, but had not descended so low as the particular house. God supplieth the rest, by the direction of the star.
4. Those means which do lead a man most certainly unto Christ should be the matter of his special joy. “They rejoiced,” etc.—David Dickson.
Matthew 2:11. Christ found and worshipped.—
1. Such as seek Christ in truth shall find Him at length.
2. Such as believe that the Scriptures speak of Christ will see Him, though God, in His deepest humiliation, and by faith will pierce through all impediments.
3. Riches, wisdom, honour, and all that we have, ought to be laid down at Christ’s feet and offered to the service of Christ, as the fountain and owner thereof.—Ibid.
Consecration and no-consecration.—Whatever more there may be—and there is much more—in the visit of the wise men to the manger-cradle at Bethlehem, there is at least the lesson of consecration. These wise men had no greater joy than in emptying themselves of their treasures, and bestowing them in humblest adoration upon Him. To every man there comes the old choice of the Greek mythical hero—the choice between virtue and pleasure, between good and evil, between duty and frivolity, between consecration to Christ and subjugation by some other master. Think of a few of the ways in which this call for a choice is answered.
I. There is the answer—which is no answer—of simple indifference.
II. Another form of no-consecration is simple self-culture.—It recognizes that we are endowed with a complex nature, every part of which is capable of being developed. And this development, this contact, are in themselves enjoyment of an exalted kind. Self-culture, even on a humble scale, will never disappoint. But this is short of consecration; and the Christian conscience tells us that it is far inferior to it.
III. Consecration implies not only self-culture but self-surrender, and more than this, the joy of self-surrender. There may be consecration to a great cause, like justice or freedom. There may be consecration to an idea which we almost personify, and even deify, like truth or beauty. But it is to a person—to some one greater, purer, better than ourselves—that consecration is at once most passionately and most perseveringly rendered. And never does consecration of self take a nobler form than when a young man prostrates himself before the feet of his Saviour, and offers to Him, in their prime, the fulness of all his powers.—H. M. Butler.
The homage of the wise men.—
I. An outburst of faith.—
1. In their beholding Christ.
2. Doing obeisance.
3. Presenting noblest gifts.
II. An indication of order and succession of believing experience.—
1. We behold.
2. We fall down.
3. We present gifts.
III. A picture of genuine faith.—
1. Vision issuing in humiliation.
2. Adoration issuing in joy of faith.
3. Perseverance of faith issuing in self-dedication and works of love.—J. P. Lange, D.D.