Born for All

Introduction: Gift Tags

This week as Cindy and I — and all of you, I imagine — wrapped Christmas gifts, we taped a gift tag on every one of them.

To: “so-and-so”

From: Mom & Dad (or whatever name was appropriate)

These gift tags are used so as to maintain order around the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. We want to make sure everyone knows to whom each gift is given, and who gave it. If there’s a really great gift for me under the tree, I sure don’t want someone else to get it mistakenly. And, if there’s a great gift I want to give to someone, I want to make sure he or she gets it. Can you imagine a pile of gifts under the tree with no gift tags? (especially if there are young children involved)

Christ’s birth was a huge gift from God. Now, Jesus wasn’t born with a gift tag taped to him. But he was given from God, to someone. Who?

The Jews thought the Messiah would be just for them. If you were a Jew, a child of Abraham, your name was on the gift tag. If not, so sorry; the gift was not for you. Is that true?

Writing to an audience of Jewish heritage, Matthew clarified that Jesus is the promised Messiah, born not only to Israel, but for all people. Sometime after Jesus' birth, magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem, searching for a newborn King of the Jews. And boy, did it cause a stir! Their search, and their response when they found him, reveals not only the global impact of Jesus' birth, but the personal impact he makes in the lives of those who receive and worship him with all their heart.

Jesus was born for all people.

Sadly, not all people want the gift; as the story reveals.

Those were the days (1b)

As Matthew’s story begins, we are reminded of the times in which Christ was born. It was not a real good time to be a Jew living in Israel.

Historians remark that Christ’s birth happened during what has been called the Pax Romana, (the peace of Rome). The term describes a time when Rome was not at war; which meant that everywhere else was pretty peaceful. But locally, his birth was during troubled times.

Herod was becoming more and more unstable and paranoid about losing the kingdom to a rival. He was so paranoid that he was even suspicious of his family. In all, Herod had 14 children (9 of them sons) and 10 wives. He had three sons, a wife, and many others close to him put to death because he feared plots to overthrow him. Caesar Augustus, the emperor, uttered his famous pun that he would rather be Herod’s pig (hys) than his son (huios). Herod and Augustus had frequent disputes and there were disruptions in the region.

As well, it’s possible that Matthew wrote his gospel in a time of great religious tension in Palestine. The Gospel was likely written sometime following the Jewish wars, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. It appeared to have been a time of hostility between Christian and non-Christian Jews. The former believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but the latter, represented by the priests and scribes in the story, were indifferent. This conflict is not only represented in this story, but throughout the Gospel by Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus’ fulfillment of Jewish Scripture. The Gospel contains more than 60 quotations from the Old Testament, more than the other three Gospels.

As I reflect on the historical context of Matthew’s story, the first line of Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities comes to mind: “It was the best of times and the worst of times.”

In a very real sense, 1st-Century Palestine was the best time for Christ to be born. In fact, Paul wrote in Romans that Christ came just “at the right time” (Romans 5:6). On the other hand, these were some of the worst times in Jewish history. 450 years had passed since God last spoke. God’s people were losing hope. And the leaders of God’s people — the priests, scribes and teachers — were poor shepherds. But with Christ’s, God broke the silence. He spoke through His Son, Jesus Christ. But was anyone listening.

Those were the days.

A rising star (1b-2)

In the middle of all this context — despair, disturbance, descent and division — a mysterious caravan of strangers rode into Jerusalem. Our text calls them “wise men”; but let me clarify. They were more than wise. From now on, I’ll call them “magi”; that’s a better name for them.

Don’t let modern Christmas carols confuse you. In spite of the song we’ve all sung all of our lives, there weren’t three magi; and they weren’t kings. We don’t know how many there were in the caravan. And I say caravan, because that’s how they would have had to travel for such a long distance. They came from the East; more than likely they came from Persia. That’s a long trip. It probably took them months to travel to Jerusalem. And there were no Holiday Inns or Cracker Barrels along the way. All they needed for the journey had to be carried with them. And men of their stature had servants to carry and manage all the food and supplies they would need for such a journey. Since “all Jerusalem” knew about them, this wasn’t a little caravan; this was likely a pretty large entourage of people. There’s a lot we don’t know about them, but we do know some things.

We know they came from the East. And we know their prominence from ancient literature: they were high-ranking officials with power and influence. Their position is evident in the wealth they brought with them.

They were on a quest, and needed directions to complete it: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”

The Magi’s question to Herod emphasizes the word born. The grammatical construction makes it clear that they asked about a child who has legitimate claim to Israel’s throne by virtue of his birth. This places Herod as a usurper to the throne. (More about that later.)

As mysterious as these magi are, their next piece of information is more so: “For we saw his star at its rising.”

In the ancient Near East, stars were often worshiped as divine. Stars were one tool that ancients used (or so they believed) to predict future events. Many believed that stars were linked to special events, such as the birth of a king.

Star worship and fortune telling is condemned in the Bible. However, Matthew interpreted the star as a sign from God. This reference to a “star” has an Old Testament background in the story of Balak and Balaam in Numbers 22. Balaam was a Mesapotamian prophet sent by God to bless Israel. The climax of his blessing appears in Numbers 24:17.

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 24)

I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.

Did you catch that? “A star will come … and a scepter will rise”.

It’s no coincidence, therefore, that we read of the following fulfillment in Matthew: Magi from the east following a star to the King of the Jews. That which God had foretold is now coming to pass in the birth of Jesus Christ.

That’s not all.

We have the promise in Isaiah 60:1-6.

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 60)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD shines over you. For look, darkness will cover the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the LORD will shine over you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to your shining brightness. Raise your eyes and look around: they all gather and come to you; your sons will come from far away, and your daughters on the hips of nursing mothers. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and rejoice, because the riches of the sea will become yours and the wealth of the nations will come to you. Caravans of camels will cover your land—young camels of Midian and Ephah—all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the LORD.

Nations will come to the light of God’s people. These nations will bring riches and gifts for worship. Consider how striking it is that in Matthew’s Gospel, a book aimed specifically at a Jewish audience, the first people we see worshiping Jesus are magi from the nations!

Jesus Christ. From: God. To: All nations

“We have come to worship him.” Why would magi from the east travel miles and many months to pay homage to a Jewish king? That’s another mystery.

They say that they have come to worship him. The verb may indicate an act of reverence toward a great man or an act of worship of God. The Magi probably intended an act of homage, but Matthew may well be giving the expression its fullest meaning—the attitude of the Magi in the presence of the Baby was the attitude proper in the presence of God. The worship of the Christ was important to Matthew, and he refers to this worship 10 times in the Gospel. (More about that later, as well.)

A terrifying idea (3-4)

Herod didn’t love the idea of strangers coming into town to welcome and pay homage to a new king. He was the king of Israel. And Matthew recorded his response: “he was deeply disturbed.” The English translation understates Herod’s emotion. “Disturbed” is too weak a translation of his reaction; “in turmoil” or even “terrified” is more accurate.

Many rulers feared astrological signs of their demise; the Emperor Nero later reportedly slaughtered many nobles in the hope that their deaths (rather than his own) would fulfill the prediction of a comet.

The news that the Magi were bringing sounded suspiciously like the emergence of a genuine descendant of the royal line of David as a claimant to the throne; and Herod was terrified. (This, by the way, serves as a powerful contrast with the magi's exceeding joy later in the story.)

As was “all of Jerusalem.” Why in the world was Jerusalem terrified. I think it’s a fair guess that if Herod was terrified and disturbed, everyone else was. Who knew how unstable and paranoid Herod would react?

Christ’s birth means that I am no longer king of my life. We’re usurpers. Jesus Christ has legitimate claims as king of me … and you. Disturbed and perplexed, Herod assembled the finest theologians in Jerusalem to help him solve the puzzle: Who is this king and where will he be born?

An unopened gift (5-6)

Notice the immediate answer: Bethlehem. These religious leaders didn’t need to hold a conference or consult with each other; they knew right away the answer to Herod’s question.

It is interesting that, although they could say immediately where the Messiah would be born, they apparently did nothing about the report that the Magi brought. “They fail by being passive” (Filson). Here was a gift to God from them, not but a few miles away, and they just left it there, unopened. “Israel knew precisely where the King of the Jews would be born, but it was the Gentiles who worshiped him first” (Leon Morres, Pillar New Testament Commentary)

They backed up their answer with Scripture — Micah 5:2. I’m not sure if the priests paraphrased Micah or if it was Matthew when he wrote the story. But you will notice that verse 6 is not a word-for-word quote. Matthew added a phrase at the beginning and a phrase at the end. Most likely these are Matthew’s interpretations of the significance of Micah’s prophecy, in light of the event of Christ’s birth.

Bethlehem, a small village no one heard of, had as its only claim the hometown of Israel’s greatest king: David. Though a small village, it was not the least in Judah. And this ruler who will come out of her, will “shepherd” God’s people. David was a shepherd too.

A shepherd as an image of a ruler of God’s people appeared commonly in the Old Testament (see Ezek 34). It implies guidance, pastoral care, and a sense of compassion. Here the symbolic meaning emphasizes the care the leader would show as he looked after those he led.

Jesus was not a Herod, unstable, an egomaniac, paranoid and violent. He’s a shepherd: caring, compassionate, gentle, and sacrificial. What a gift from God!

For many in Matthew’s story, and for many today, the gift is yet unopened. Tragic.

A big fat lie! (7-8)

Like every enemy of the gospel, Herod would do anything or say anything to destroy it. So, he told a big fat lie. Every one hearing Matthew’s story, including us, know that Herod had no intentions of worshiping Jesus. He wanted to find Jesus alright, but not worship him. And what is told in the story after this one confirms it. We read in verse 16 that Herod ordered every male child under the age of two to be killed. That event has come to be known as “the massacre of the innocents.”

To know the time when the star appeared would obviously give an indication of the age of this new king of the Jews. This information, or so Herod thought, would aide him in his search and destroy scheme of the rival king.

This schemer decided to leverage the passion of the magi for his own self-interests. “Search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” (That’s the big fat lie.)

These words were a command. The grammar in Matthew’s story reflects that; not a suggestion or a request, but a command from a king. That makes the magi’s response in verse 12 — returning by a route that bypassed Jerusalem and Herod — a bold move. And once more, we see God at work, protecting His redemptive plan.

I’m reminded of Paul’s advice to the church in Ephesians:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.

Still today there are many enemies of the gospel. And sometimes their words are clever, even carrying appearances of truth. But they are big fat liars. We are able to discern truth for error by knowing God’s Word.

A guiding light (9-11)

“After hearing the king” the magi resumed their search for the newborn king. “And there it was … the star.”

A better translation is: “Look! There’s the star!” Matthew draws us into the story. He adds a touch of vividness, as if he is seeing the star himself, and inviting us to look into the sky and see it for ourselves. This forms another huge contrast between those who “see” and those who do not. The religious leaders knew where the Messiah would be born: in Bethlehem. Yet, took no action when they were informed that a caravan of Eastern magi were going to find him. Why couldn’t they see the star? Surely, the star was visible for everyone who had eyes. But not everyone has eyes to see. Later Jesus will confirm the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and other religious leaders, who had “eyes but could not see.”

The description of God’s leading of the magi by a moving, supernatural star in the sky brings to mind how God led the Israelites in the wilderness.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 13

The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

God wants us to find him. Hear that: God wants us to find him. And as Jeremiah instructs us:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 29

You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes, and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the LORD’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”

Is that not amazing? The eternal God of the universe, Creator of all things, Sovereign over kings and all people; He wants to be found. And He provides a guiding light for us to find him. The magi provide a powerful example for us: seek Him with all your heart.

When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. A literal translation of verse 10 reads: “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy”! Such passion. Such joy in the journey of finding Jesus. That’s what I want. I want that joy. I want my heart to be overwhelmed with joy, not only in the finding, but in the searching.

God’s guiding light took the magi right to where Mary and Joseph and the child Jesus were staying. And they worshiped Jesus.

The gifts used to honor the new king were typically associated with royalty. Because Matthew has not yet introduced the theme of Jesus’ death, it is not likely that he is implying it here, even though myrrh was a spice often used in embalming. Rather, all three gifts honor the Christ child as King. Gold, then as now, was a precious metal prized for its beauty and value, an appropriate regal gift. Frankincense and myrrh were fragrant spices and perfumes equally appropriate for such adoration and worship.

So let’s think a moment: This morning or last night, or sometime during this Season, we have exchanged gifts with loved ones. We’ve spent our own hard-earned money to bless the ones we love with special gifts. It’s exciting to give and receive gifts from each other. It reflects the spirit of Christmas. But here’s the question: What are we giving Jesus this Christmas?

The magi gave him priceless, expensive, even extravagant gifts, that reflected their adoration and worship of the King. What will you give him today?

Let me remind you — I know you need no reminder — that Jesus doesn’t need anything. There’s nothing we can purchase and put in a Christmas stocking that Jesus needs. But there is one thing Jesus desires: your (my) heart. Are you ready to give him that this morning?

A sovereign God (12)

Nothing can stop what God has planned. God, just like He did with Mary and Joseph, spoke to the magi a dream: Don’t go back to Herod. So they returned home by another route that bypassed Herod.

God is sovereign. He has a plan, and nothing can thwart. He has a plan and nothing is impossible.

He has a plan for your life, and only your ignorance, neglect or apathy on your part can hinder God from blessing you with the greatest gift of all: grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Carol Cymbala wrote a song that perfectly describes our reponse this Christmas morning:

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring him a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I’d do my part.

So what can I bring him

Give him my heart.

So this morning, let us all place a gift tag on our heart: From David. To Jesus.

O, Come let us adore Him! (sing)