Podcast Summary: Faith of Our Fathers

Episode: The King who Is Shepherd by John Stott
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: WDAC Radio Company
Speaker: John Stott

Overview

In this Christmas sermon, John Stott explores the story of the Magi's visit to Bethlehem, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. He challenges popular misconceptions about the Magi, delves into the theological reasons for Matthew's inclusion of this event, and draws three central lessons:

• No trouble is too great to seek Christ
• No person is too alien to find Him
• No offering is too precious to give Him
  Stott closes by contrasting the responses of the Magi and King Herod, urging listeners to consider their own response to Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Magi: Facts Versus Tradition

Timestamps: 00:43–05:18

• Stott points out that popular retellings of the Magi story add details absent from Matthew's Gospel:
  • The Magi were not kings.
  • The actual number of Magi is unknown; the tradition of "three" is based on the number of gifts.
  • They visited Jesus in a house, not a stable; by the time of their visit, Jesus may no longer have been a baby.
• Emphasizes the importance of Scripture:

  “It’s very important to make sure what the Bible does say as opposed to what we might think it says.” (02:09)

2. Why Did Matthew Include the Story of the Magi?

Timestamps: 05:18–07:35

• The Gospel writers were not mere historians, but evangelists and theologians with a message.
• The Magi's story teaches spiritual lessons relevant for all times.

3. Lesson One: No Trouble is Too Great to Seek Christ

Timestamps: 07:35–12:05

• The Magi endured a dangerous, weeks-long journey from Mesopotamia (~500 miles) to seek the newborn King.
• Their persistence is contrasted with the apathy of many modern listeners.
  • Many dismiss Christianity without investigation, which Stott suggests is intellectually dishonest.
• Encourages honest seeking:

  • “Seek and you will find, echoing probably another verse... You will seek me and you will find me if you will search for me with all your heart.” (10:54)

• Recommends resources (e.g., “Christianity Explored”) for those genuinely wanting to explore faith.

4. Lesson Two: No Person is Too Alien to Find Him

Timestamps: 12:05–20:30

• The Magi were foreign astrologers, possibly Zoroastrian priests, demonstrating that cultural or racial barriers do not keep one from Jesus.
• Contrasts Magi (Gentile, educated, wealthy) with the shepherds (Jewish, simple, poor)—both groups are united in worship.

  • “The Magi were forerunners of millions and millions of other Gentiles... who have fallen down and worshiped Jesus.” (15:28)

• Christianity is unique as a non-ethnic, worldwide faith.

  • “Only Christianity among all the religions of the world is not an ethnic religion. It’s not limited to any one people or culture. It is a world faith.” (17:33)

• Stott shares personal experiences of worshiping with Christians around the globe, underscoring faith’s universality.

5. Lesson Three: No Offering is Too Precious to Give Him

Timestamps: 20:30–24:30

• The Magi gave costly gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh)—yet what Christ truly seeks is the devotion of our hearts.

  • “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I could bring a lamb, if I were a wise man I would do my part, but what I can I give him? Give my heart.” (21:21)

• Relates story of a child who answered, “I’ve brought myself to Jesus” on an exam—emphasizing self-dedication precedes evangelizing others.

6. Herod vs. the Magi: Contrasting Responses to Jesus

Timestamps: 24:30–26:50

• Herod saw Jesus as a threat; his reign was marked by paranoia and violence.

  • “Herod's reign was stained with blood… The Emperor Augustus once declared that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.” (24:57)

• Many still view Jesus as a threat to autonomy or personal freedom.
  • Stott quotes C.S. Lewis:

    “[Jesus is] a transcendental interferer who comes from the transcendental world and interferes in my private life.” (26:19)

• Conversion framed as “decentralization” (putting Christ at the center, moving self to the circumference).

7. Call to Decision: Resistance or Worship

Timestamps: 26:50–27:13

• Stott issues a heartfelt appeal:

  • “Either we see Jesus as a threat and are determined, like Herod, to get rid of him, or we see him as who he is... and are determined, like the Magi, to worship him.” (27:00)

• Encourages listeners to let go of resistance, follow the Magi’s example, and “bring Jesus the homage of your heart.”

Notable Quotes

• “It is very important to make sure what the Bible does say as opposed to what we might think it says.” (02:09)
• “No trouble is too great to seek Jesus Christ... No people is too alien to find Him... No offering is too precious to give Him.” (Summary of Three Lessons, recurring)
• “Only Christianity among all the religions of the world is not an ethnic religion. It is a world faith.” (17:33)
• “Conversion is decentralization: to put [Jesus] at the center and to move off into the circumference.” (26:43)
• “Either we see Jesus as a threat... or... are determined, like the Magi, to worship him.” (27:00)

Memorable Moments

• The debunking of “We Three Kings” and other Christmas traditions with careful biblical exegesis (00:43–05:18)
• Touching account of a child answering, “I’ve brought myself to Jesus,” as a model of authentic faith (22:00)
• Vivid comparison of worship experiences worldwide, highlighting Christianity’s global reach (18:15–20:20)
• The striking parallel between Herod’s paranoia and modern discomfort with Jesus' claim on personal autonomy (25:00–26:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 – Stott begins: Re-examining the Magi story
• 07:35 – Lesson One: No trouble is too great to seek Christ
• 12:05 – Lesson Two: No people is too alien to find Him
• 20:30 – Lesson Three: No offering is too precious to give Him
• 24:30 – The reaction of Herod: Resistance to Jesus
• 26:50 – Conclusion: Choose your response

Tone:
Stott’s delivery is gentle, reverent, intellectually rigorous, and pastorally direct—rich with illustrative stories and a global outlook, always returning to clear gospel invitations.

Summary:
John Stott’s sermon masterfully reframes the story of the visiting Magi as a call to committed, global, and wholehearted worship of Christ, challenging all listeners to move beyond familiarity to deep, personal, and sacrificial faith.