Jesus, The King

Intro

How have you responded to the King, Jesus?

This a question that constantly surfaced as I was stuck by this week’s text of Scripture. Last week, we saw Matthew provide the genealogy of Jesus which pointed to Him being the Son of Promise, the Anointed One, the Messiah. This starts the theme of Matthew’s Gospel as Matthew presents Jesus as the Sovereign King sent to save His people.

Now, Matthew continues with that theme as the wise men arrive on the scene in chapter 2. So, if you will take your Bibles and open with me to Matthew 2. In this passage of Scripture, we see the magi or the wise men arrive to meet Jesus. This is not just any meeting. This was a meet that was also a declaration of Jesus’s kingship.

Look with me at Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1–12 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Pray.

Jesus has been born in Bethlehem to Mary. He is born of a virgin. He is God with us. He has come with a purpose of setting His people free from slavery to sin. After Jesus’s birth, it is now time for Him to implement His kingdom as fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. Jesus is to bring about His kingdom that will last forever. This is no normal kingdom.

From this passage, we understand that our main idea is:

Jesus is the Son of Promise sovereignly sent from God to bring great joy in salvation.

We will see one confrontation, three causes, and one provision in today’s passage of Scripture. Let’s begin first with the confrontation.

King Jesus confronts the world.

Look back with me at verse 1.

Matthew 2:1 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

Jesus has been born in Bethlehem which Matthew is certain to point out. Remember, Matthew is seeking for his primarily Jewish audience to understand that Jesus is the Son of David or the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant as the Messiah.

As the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, Matthew points to Jesus being a king which makes this passage vital to Matthew’s Gospel account. Matthew includes the birthplace of Jesus because Bethlehem is known as the City of David. Jesus is the descendent of David born in the city of David. Now, as He is born, Matthew lets us also know who the king was at the time.

King Herod was reigning under the Roman Empire. Herod was an ordinary king that was only concerned for himself as we will see later in this passage. However, in verse 1, we understand that the king is confronted by King Jesus. Likewise, Matthew lets us know of other men, the wise men. These were men from east of Jerusalem, we are certain exactly which territory or nation they were from. However, we are certain that they were Gentiles.

Notice verse 2,

Matthew 2:2 ESV

2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

These wise men where from the east and were know as the magi. They were known as magicians who would seek to interpret dreams and predict the future using the stars. Given that, these would seek to be highly unlikely characters to approach Jesus. However, they came to Jerusalem in search of the King. They had seen the star which drew their attention and came looking for a king. Matthew is pointing to these wise men as declarers or heralders of the king. In doing so, they come to Jerusalem. From this text, we understand that Jesus has arrived on the scene and now the world is confronted by Him. Matthew makes known that these wise men have come to worship or pay homage to the king. They recognized that Jesus is the King. He is the divine king. Likewise, the wise men were Gentiles and not Jewish.

The reigning earthly king of the Jews and the Gentiles are confronted by the true King Jesus Christ. He has come to earth. God in the flesh to set His people free from their captivity to sin.

Just as Jesus came then and the world was confronted, the world is still confronted by Jesus. Jesus came two thousand years ago, and the world had to respond then. The world still has to respond to Jesus now.

In responding to Jesus, their are three causes the King Jesus can bring about as a response.

First,

King Jesus causes power-hungry kings to be troubled and hostile.

We see that King Herod is confronted by Jesus and responds negatively.

Matthew 2:3 ESV

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

The inquiring wise men have cause of Herod to be troubled. Herod was called the king of the Jews as he reigned in Jerusalem. He was a king that was power-hungry and fearful of someone overtaking his throne. With such fear, Herod would have his wife and two sons put to death in fear that they would betray him or take his power.

Now, wise men have traveled from far off to come and visit with a new king that is the King of the Jews. With Herod’s fear, he is caused great trouble along with all of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was troubled because of how the insane, power-hungry king might respond. Likewise, they had every right to be concerned as Herod would have all of the baby born massacred in the following days. Herod is fearful that this king will take his authority and threaten his rule.

Longman and Garland point out:

“Herod is deeply troubled. In this, ‘all Jerusalem’ joins him, not because most of the people would have been sorry to see Herod replaced or because they were reluctant to see the coming of King Messiah, but because they well knew that any question, such as the Magi’s, would result in more cruelty from the ailing Herod, whose paranoia had led him to murder his favorite wife and two sons.”

Jerusalem is in fear. The king is in fear.

We see this even today. Leaders and governing authorities are fearful of Jesus Christ to this very day. Jesus has been pushed aside in the public square. You say the name Jesus or pray in the name of Jesus and a target is painted on your back. Governments have sought to push Jesus out of the schools. The church has been fastened down and held down because of the truth that Christians place their ultimate trust in Jesus Christ above governmental provisions and governmental powers. During the pandemic, what did we see, the churches were closed with governmental oversight while football games, casinos, and clubs were permitted to be open. Why? Jesus Christ causes for earthly rulers to be fearful. He has the ultimate authority that they do not. This is why communism is an atheistic philosophy because it seeks to declare there is no high authority than the dictator.

In our own lives, the world tells us to follow the king that is ourselves. You do you. Live your own truth. Do what makes you happy. These are the mottos of our day. These mottos lead to humanity continually seeking to be the lord of their lives instead of submitting to the one Lord that is Jesus Christ. That is why we see sin running rampant in our culture. Confusion and disregard for God are on the rise. Hope is placed in being rightly identified and gratified. The worship of self has overtaken our culture. Please understand, you are not god. God is God and will be for all eternity. We do not submit to any other person. While we are commanded to submit to our governing authorities, we submit as long as they are not in disobedience to the Word of God. For instance, governing authorities to not tell the church when she can or cannot meet. Scripture tells us not to forsake the gathering together of the believers in Hebrews.

Secondly,

King Jesus causes the religious elite to turn a blind eye.

Look with me at verse 4

Matthew 2:4 ESV

4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

As Herod is fearful, he assembles together all of the chief priest and scribes. These were the Jewish religious leaders of the time in first century Israel. Herod gathers them all together seeking an answer. Herod knew that there was a Messiah to come from his questioning. He gathered the right people to get an answer. He gathered those that knew the Old Testament. They knew the prophecy and that a Messiah was to come to earth. Therefore, Herod was able to get the following answer.

Matthew 2:5 ESV

5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

Matthew 2:6 ESV

6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

The chief priests and scribes answer pointing to the Old Testament Scripture. They quote Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

The Jewish religious leaders let Herod know that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. Likewise, they even quote Micah 5. However, Matthew does present some differences in the translation of Micah 5:2 to Matthew 2:6 .

Matthew is making the point that it is Bethlehem in Judea and that this ruler that will come forward is from the line of Judah and specifically the line of David pointing against to the royalty of Jesus. Furthermore, Matthew adds that Jesus would be a shepherd to God’s people. Matthew takes Micah 5:2 and also draws from 2 Samuel 5:2

2 Samuel 5:2 ESV

2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’ ”

Jesus is not only a King but a Shepherd. In fact Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

John 10:11–16 ESV

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus laid down His life on the cross of Calvary to save those who will repent and believe in Him. Likewise, He cares for the sheep. He tends to them and protects them. Jesus is the Kingly Shepherd sent to lead His sheep out of slavery to sin and into the new life that is salvation in Christ alone.

Knowing that this Good Shepherd and Messianic King has arrived, you would think that the Jewish religious leaders would be overjoyed and excited to go and see the Promised King. Yet, notice verse 7-8

Matthew 2:7–8 ESV

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

The Jewish religious elite did not even go to meet their promised king. The Gentile wise men were sent. They went with eagerness to meet Jesus and worship Him.

This is awesome regarding the grafting in of the Gentiles to salvation. Yet, it is so heartbreaking as we see similarities within our church culture as well.

David Platt writes:

“What is startling is that these men who knew of the Messiah’s birthplace did absolutely nothing about it. These religious leaders were indifferent to Jesus, and this indifference and apathy soon developed into outright opposition.”

They did not have any concern that the Messiah was here born in Bethlehem. They were blinded by their religious status. They were so blinded that they missed it.

How often are we blinded by religious acts and practices that we miss the point. This reality runs rampant in the South especially. We show up on Sunday. Yet, Sunday mornings in many churches have turned into a social club that miss the whole point of worship service is to worship. We see this in churches that are consumed with entertainment. They have forgot that the church is call to worship Jesus Christ and Him alone. We do not need smoke and lights to worship. We do not need certain lighting to help us set the mood to worship Jesus. We do not need a particular style of worship music to worship Him. We do not need a certain style of dress to attend worship. He calls for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. That means that when we gather together we are hear to sing the Word of God, pray the Word of God, read the Word of God, and preach the Word of God. In doing so, we worship and honor Jesus Christ.

We have religious elite within Baptist life as well. We are in a day and age where calling sin what it is will get you in trouble. Churches that stand on the Word are constantly attacked even by churches and leaders within their own convention. Let me assure you, I do not care what other churches, leaders, or secular leaders think of me. I do care what God thinks of me. I will stand on the Word calling what the Word says is sin, sin. Whether it be lying, stealing, deception, sexual immorality, hypocrisy, or murder, if God’s Word calls it sin. It is sin. What happens is that we think that our religious practice or doings result in our salvation. For instance, we cling to our church membership as our salvation. We cling to our past or present givings to the church as worthy of salvation. We cling to external measure such as how often we have served or how often we have prayed publically. We look to our works instead of looking to our faith in Christ. When we do so, we become like the Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders thinking that our religious works merit us salvation whenever our religious works do nothing to contribute to our salvation. In fact, faith in our works will lead to our damnation.

Isaiah 64:6 ESV

6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Our righteousness is like filthy rags. It is worthless. That is why we cling to the grace of God in Jesus Christ. His righteousness is given to us by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8–11 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

This leads us to our third cause...

King Jesus causes the seemingly unworthy to worship.

Look with me at verses 9-11

Matthew 2:9–11 ESV

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men have listened to Herod and went to find the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ. In doing so, God sovereignly causes for a star to guide them. God leads the wise men with this star to the very place where Jesus was. Notice these wise men, upon seeing the star leading them they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. They were going to see the king. They arrive at the house. Please understand that it was more than likely more than just three wise men and Jesus is now longer in the stable. Just making that known.

These wise men go into the house and upon seeing Jesus they fall down and worship Him. The wise men knew that Jesus was the Messiah. God was revealing an important truth for us. Jesus is not only the King of the Jews. Jesus is the King of all people. The wise men were Gentiles that God sovereignly caused to go and worship Jesus. God was making known that Jesus would be the Savior of the World, meaning that Jesus is the one Savior for everyone. There is no other Savior. While our culture advocates that there are many ways to God, Scripture testifies that there is one way and that it is only found in Jesus Christ.

The wise men arrive to worship Jesus and give Him costly gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. The gold pointing to His royalty as the descendant of David. The frankincense representing His divinity as God’s Son. The myrrh representing His coming death so save His people.

These wise men would have been deemed by the Jewish leaders as unworthy of salvation as they were outside of the covenant people. However, God makes known that Jesus is coming to redeem both Jew and Gentile.

For us this is an awesome truth. We must understand that all of us are unworthy of salvation. We, sinful humanity sinned against a holy God. Therefore, we are worthy of a just condemnation. However, God sovereignly sent Jesus to be our Savior. The wise men were deemed unworthy. Guess what, so are you and me. We are unworthy of the grace of God. Yet, God grants us grace in order that we would be reconciled to Him. This is the glory of the Gospel. As we saw earlier, we can do nothing to save ourselves. Our works are filthy rags to God. We needed a Savior and the Savior was given, Jesus Christ.

Our salvation is all a work of God. I love what the New Hampshire Confession of Faith says:

“We believe that the salvation of sinner is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.”

That is Jesus Christ. He is the all-sufficient Savior. Though at one time we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we have been made alive through Christ Jesus. Though worthy of death, He has given us eternal life. Though worthy of condemnation, He has set us free from condemnation. Though worthy of justice, He has given us grace.

This is the Savior we serve, Jesus Christ. We are not to trust in our works but in the work that was done on the Cross of Calvary where He took on your sins and bore God’s wrath for them. Went to a borrowed to only to raise from the grave three days later with victory. What a Savior we serve.

We see this evident in our one provision.

King Jesus provides protection for those who honor Him.

Look at verse 12:

Matthew 2:12 ESV

12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

God provided protection for the wise men as Herod would have sought to get information to find and kill Jesus. God was sovereignly ensuring that Jesus was not killed at that point in order that He would be killed later to atone for sin.

Application: Christian in the room, we can find our hope in the assurance that Jesus Christ has us. While you are in your classroom teachers, display the love and patience of Christ with your students knowing He is patient with you. Those who are farmers in the room. The work is hard and the days are long. Be reminded of who you are working for. Those who are retired, know that Christ is not finished with you yet. He has saved you and continues to sustain you for a purpose. Those grandchildren and children need a Christian examples especially in times such as these when sin is no long called sin.

For all believers, Those who have call upon the name of Jesus in repentance and faith can rest knowing that Jesus Christ has saved them and is watching over them. We will face trials and persecution for sure. However, we have a Savior that is holding on to us at all time. As my favorite hymn sings:

“When I fear my faith will fail

Christ will hold me fast

When the tempter would prevail

He will hold me fast

I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path

For my love is often cold

He must hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight

Christ will hold me fast

Precious in His holy sight

He will hold me fast

He’ll not let my soul be lost

His promises shall last

Bought by Him at such a cost

He will hold me fast”

That is the reality of our Savior Jesus Christ the King. He will hold us fast through the trial, temptations, and sufferings of this world. He holds on to us and we must cling to Him.

If you are not a Christian today. Share the Gospel.

Pray.