Pastor Patrick Toner taught through Gospel of Matthew 2, presenting a message titled “Being Wise in a Dark World.” He began by explaining that the visit of the Magi likely occurred weeks or even months after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, not on the same night as the nativity scene often portrayed at Christmas. Pastor Toner described how the wise men came from the east seeking “He who has been born King of the Jews.” He explained that these men were likely influenced by the writings of Daniel, whose prophecy in Book of Daniel 9:24–27 provided a timeline for the coming of the Messiah. Combined with the prophecy of a star in Book of Numbers 24:17, the Magi recognized the sign and acted upon it. Pastor Toner emphasized that true wisdom is not merely possessing knowledge but applying it through faith, and the wise men demonstrated this by leaving their homeland to seek and worship Christ.

Pastor Toner contrasted the faith of the Magi with the response of Herod the Great, who felt threatened by the announcement of a new King. Though Herod consulted the chief priests and scribes, who correctly cited the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth in Book of Micah 5:2, his heart remained hardened. Pastor Toner pointed out that even an evil ruler acknowledged the authority of Scripture by turning to God’s Word for answers. Herod then attempted to deceive the wise men by asking them to report the child’s location, claiming he wanted to worship Him as well. The message warned believers that deception and betrayal can occur even in religious settings, but Christians must resist the temptation to become bitter or distrustful and instead continue walking in faith.

Pastor Toner then described the moment when the Magi followed the star and finally saw the young child Jesus with His mother Mary in Bethlehem. The men fell down and worshiped Him, recognizing that the child before them was God in the flesh. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Pastor Toner explained that gold symbolized Christ’s divine kingship, frankincense represented His perfect righteousness and worthiness as the true sacrifice, and myrrh foreshadowed the suffering and death He would endure. Together, these gifts formed a powerful picture of the gospel: Jesus was fully divine, perfectly righteous, and destined to suffer and die for the sins of the world.

The sermon continued with the divine warning given to the wise men in a dream not to return to Herod. Pastor Toner noted that God guided His people throughout this chapter through dreams and divine instruction, including the command for Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for protection. This fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Book of Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” After realizing the Magi had not returned, Herod ordered the tragic killing of the male children in Bethlehem two years old and under, fulfilling the prophecy of mourning recorded in Book of Jeremiah 31:15. Pastor Toner acknowledged the darkness of this event but reminded listeners that even in the face of evil, God’s plan continued to unfold.

Pastor Toner concluded by describing how, after Herod’s death, Joseph was again guided in a dream to return to Israel, eventually settling in Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. The message encouraged believers to follow the example of the wise men by seeking the Lord wholeheartedly, responding to the truth of Scripture with faith, and living with wisdom in a dark world. Just as the Magi acted upon the knowledge God had given them, Christians today were urged to take steps of faith and devote their lives to worshiping Christ.

This message was shared at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, where Allen Victor serves as pastor.

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