#357: The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12

Today’s story takes us to a little town called Bethlehem, where the wise men—also called Magi—follow a bright star to find Jesus. What did they bring Him? Why was King Herod so upset? And what does this story teach us about Jesus coming for all people, not just one group? Listen as we explore Matthew 2:1-12 and discover how the wise men’s journey reminds us that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Merry Christmas!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello again and welcome back to Kids' Bible Stories. Today's
story is called the Wise Men. This comes from Matthew
Chapter two, verses one through twelve. I would like to
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(00:21):
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(00:42):
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or sharing the podcast on your social media. Now let's

(01:06):
jump right into today's story. A long time ago, in
a little town called Bethlehem, nestled in the land of Judea,
a very special baby was born. It happened during the

(01:30):
days when King Herod ruled over the land. This baby
wasn't just any baby. You heard about his birth in
our last episode. What was his name? Shout it out, Jesus,
You got it. He was Jesus, the one who would

(01:53):
change the world forever. After Jesus was born, far away
in the east, some wise men known as magi, they
noticed something amazing in the night sky. A bright, shining
star appeared, glowing like a beacon of hope. These wise men,

(02:18):
who studied the stars and searched for signs, knew that
this was no ordinary star. It meant a new king
had been born, a king who would be very special.
So they began a long journey, traveling across deserts and hills,

(02:41):
following the star until they reached the great city of Jerusalem.
When they arrived, they asked.

Speaker 2 (02:52):
Where is the baby who was born to be King
of the Jews. We saw his star shining, and we
came to worship him.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
But when King Herod, the ruler of the land, heard this,
his heart filled with worry and fear a new king.
Herod frowned his face dark with anger. He didn't like
the sound of this at all. The news of this

(03:24):
special baby troubled him deeply, and he began to wonder
what it might mean for his throne. Listeners, why do
you think King Herod is.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Upset because she still on to be the king?

Speaker 1 (03:43):
Thanks for sharing you see. King Herod wanted no one
to be more powerful than him, and all the people
in Jerusalem were worried too. Fearing this news, Herod called
a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of
the law, hoping that they could provide more information.

Speaker 2 (04:06):
If if this King of the Jews has been born,
just just where exactly might the child be?

Speaker 3 (04:16):
He asked, They answered, in the town of Bethlehem and Judea.
The prophet Michael wrote about this in the Scriptures. Bohy
Micah told us this long ago. He said, and you,
old Bethlehem and the land of Judah are by no

(04:37):
means least among the rulers of Judah. For from you
shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

Speaker 1 (04:45):
Everyone, did you just hear him say the Savior the
ruler would come from Bethlehem and did he. Yes, everything
God promised would happen did happen exactly as he said
it would. Let's continue. I imagine Herod pacing back and forth,

(05:11):
back and forth at this news, because next he had
a secret meeting with the wise men from the east.
He learned from them the exact time they first saw
the star. Then Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem,

(05:31):
saying to them, then.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
Go and look for this child carefully, and when you
find him, come and tell me that way. That way
I can go, and uh, I'll worship him too.

Speaker 1 (05:49):
After hearing the king, the wise men set out on
their journey. Do you think King Herod actually wants to
know where Jesus was so he can worship him? No,
no way. Consumed by greed and jealousy, he couldn't bear

(06:10):
the thought of anyone threatening his power, and he was
determined to put an end to it. The wise men,
dressed in beautiful, flowing robes of rich colors, traveled across
the desert with their camels, whose soft feet padded quietly

(06:31):
on the sand as they carried precious gifts for the
new king. As they ventured, they saw the same star
they had seen in the east. It went before them
until it stopped right above the place where the child was.

(06:55):
When the wise men saw the star, they were filled
with joy.

Speaker 2 (07:01):
Wow.

Speaker 3 (07:02):
Wow.

Speaker 1 (07:04):
They went to the house where the child was and
saw him with his mother Mary. Falling to their knees,
they worshiped him. The wise men carefully opened the gifts
they had brought with them, their hands gently untying the cloth.

(07:25):
Inside the treasures sparkled in the soft light. They gave
the child shining gold as bright as the sun. To
honor him as a king, they offered frankincense, a sweet
perfume that swirled into the air hmm, smelling heavenly and pure.

(07:47):
And they gave him murror, a rich, fragrant oil often
used for special purposes. That night, as the wise men slept,
God sent them a dream. In the dream, he warned

(08:10):
them not to return to King Herod. When they awoke, quietly,
they packed their things, the camels swishing their tails as
they prepared to leave. Instead of going back to Herod,
they chose a new path home, one that led them

(08:30):
far away from the jealous king. Well that is it
for our story today. But before we go, let's think
about what we just heard. When you see a manger scene,

(08:53):
who are some of the people you see there?

Speaker 3 (08:56):
Answer outloud, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds.

Speaker 1 (09:04):
That's right, and often we see the wise men there too.
But did you know that the wise men actually did
not show up to see Jesus until he was about
two years old. I never knew that when the wise
men arrive, they don't go to the manger. Rather they

(09:24):
go to a house, because by that time Mary and
Joseph had moved from the manger. This scripture from our
Bible that we just read is pretty amazing because it
reminds us that Jesus came for us, not just one
group of people. What I mean is, when Jesus was born,

(09:48):
according to Jewish tradition, this king was there to save
only them, not the gentiles. A gentile just means someone
who is not Jewish, so most of us listening would
be considered gentiles. The wise men were gentiles, so it
made no sense that they would seek out a king

(10:10):
who most believed was not for them. But what do
they do when they see Jesus?

Speaker 3 (10:21):
They were very excited. They give them frank and sensmer and.

Speaker 1 (10:27):
Gold, some of you may have said they fell down
and worshiped or brought him gifts. Both are correct. This
is beautiful. It shows us that Jesus is not just
the King of the Jews, but the king of all nations.

(10:47):
Do you remember what the Angel told the shepherds.

Speaker 3 (10:53):
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy that'll be for all of the people. Was
born this day in the city of David, a savior
who is Christ the Lord.

Speaker 1 (11:10):
He said, it's for all the people. That is wonderful
news for us. You don't have to be a certain
age or live in a certain area. It doesn't matter
how much money you have, or how you look, if
you have curly hair or straight hair, how tall you are,
none of that matters. Jesus came for all of those

(11:35):
who come to worship him, just as the wise men did. Well.
That is it for our story today. Thank you so
much for listening. I hope you all have a very
merry Christmas, and as always, bye for now.