The Visit of the Magi: STEP Program Application

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV): "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”' Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."

Bible Study Approach: No Rush

Speeding through Matthew 2:1-12 risks turning the Magi’s journey into a rushed travelogue, missing its richness. The negatives hit hard: mental overload from tracking Herod, the star, and the gifts; shallow engagement glossing over Jesus as King; and spiritual disconnection as we bypass worship. Slow down to absorb the significance of the Magi’s quest—Gentiles seeking the Messiah. This isn’t about finishing quickly; it’s about what resonates with you.

Small Segments

• Example: These verses depict the Magi’s journey, Herod’s deception, and the worship of Jesus, fulfilling prophecy.

• Method: Break it into focus points:

  • Verses 1-2: The Magi’s arrival and question reveal Jesus as the born King, drawing outsiders to Him.

  • Verses 3-8: Herod’s fear and the prophecy point to Bethlehem, showing God’s plan amid human schemes.

  • Verses 9-12: The star’s guidance, the Magi’s worship, and their gifts honor Jesus’ divine identity.

Slow Reading

• Technique: Read each segment slowly, contemplating the implications. “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him”—what does this reveal about Jesus’ universal call? Ponder the Magi’s persistence and Herod’s duplicity.

• Mental Imagery: Visualize the star guiding the Magi across deserts, their joy at finding Jesus, or the moment they kneel with gifts before a child-King.

Meditation: Focused Meditation

• Verse Repetition: Meditate on “they bowed down and worshiped him.” Consider Jesus’ worthiness in your life, the call to worship Him above all.

• Process: In a quiet place, repeat this phrase, letting the idea of worship—surrender, awe, devotion—resonate within you.

Scene Visualization

• Imagination: Picture the scene: the Magi following the star, entering the house, and kneeling before Jesus with Mary. See the treasures laid at His feet.

• Application: Put yourself in that moment. How does worshiping Jesus change everything? Reflect on how His kingship pierces your distractions, drawing you to surrender.

Prayer: Application to Life

• Lesson Activation: Pray for Jesus’ kingship to guide your daily path, for a heart to worship Him as the Magi did.

• Confession and Request:

  • Struggles: Confess areas where you’ve resisted His rule—pride, fear, or worldly pursuits.

  • Past Mistakes: Reflect on times you’ve followed false stars or ignored His call, asking forgiveness and redirection.

  • Future Guidance: Seek wisdom to seek Him first, offering your own “gifts”—time, talents, trust.

• Bold Requests:

  • Testing Faith: Ask for opportunities to worship boldly—serving others, standing firm in faith, sharing His kingship in dark places.

The Pitfalls of Overloading vs. the Power of STEP

Reading Matthew 2:1-12 all at once floods us with details—Herod’s plot, the star’s path, the gifts—risking exhaustion and boredom, missing the King’s arrival. We skim the Magi’s devotion or Herod’s threat, leaving us disillusioned or proud of our pace. But STEP transforms it. Small segments yield deep insight—Jesus as worthy King. Meditation embeds awe, and prayer fosters intimacy, turning a journey into a personal call to worship. Through this method, Matthew 2:1-12 becomes not just a story but a lesson in seeking and honoring Christ, drawing us closer to Him.