Matthew 2:1-12

1. These verses show us, that there may be true servants of God in places where we should not expect to find them.
2. These verses teach us, that it is not always those who have most religious privileges, who give Christ most honor.
3. These verses teach us, that there may be knowledge of Scripture in the head, while there is no grace in the heart.
4. The conduct of the wise men described in this chapter is a splendid example of spiritual diligence.
5. Last, but not least, the conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith.

"The Lord Jesus has many "hidden ones" like these wise men. Their history on earth may be as little known as that of Melchizedek, and Jethro, and Job. But their names are in the book of life, and they will be found with Christ in the day of His appearing."

"Familiarity with sacred things has a dreadful tendency to make men despise them."

"Let us all beware of resting satisfied with head-knowledge. It is an excellent thing, when rightly used. But a man may have much of it, and yet perish everlastingly."

"They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him--but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving--but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary's knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith."

Questions:

1. We see in these verses that wise men from afar come to worship while those who live only miles away do not. Ryle points out that, sadly, familiarity with sacred things - growing up in the church, owning a Bible, singing the songs of the faith -has a dreadful tendency to make people despise them. We would expect those most familiar to be the first to come, and yet experience says otherwise. Why do you think this might be? Is this true of your own experience?
2. We read that Herod asks the chief priests and scribes about the wise men's searching, and they know the answer: In Bethlehem of Judea! They knew this precious truth that the rest of the world did not know, even these wise men who might have only known that this King was to be born of the Jews, and yet it did not profit them. Ryle says that head-knowledge is an excellent thing - in truth we cannot be saved without it - and yet, we can still die in our sin if we do not truly believe those truths. Ryle, throughout his writings, will call this grace in the heart. Do we treat the knowledge of the Bible that we have as a precious gift? Is it changing our hearts and actions?
3. The journey of these wise men is not told, but there is no doubt the journey was long and costly, and yet, no cost and distance was too great to stop them. Ryle challenges us the same when it comes to our Christian lives. He asks: where is our self-denial? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are important questions to consider.