Sermon Tone Analysis

Handling interruptions

3 sandals to walk in:

The King, The religious elite, The worshippers

[The king -

Power at any cost

King Herod

Bested everyone he met.

Killed two sons, executed at least one wife (of 10).

King Herod’s temple

(contribution to religion, to God’s people)

A threat or an opportunity -

Very unwell.

[Note too he is an Idumean (Edomite - )]

You can be someone who ‘contributes to society’, have knowledge of God at your fingertips…

[The religious elite - how important is belonging to you? respect, being thought well of… try these sandals

Respect at any cost

Religious elite

And they quote Micah.

At least the way Matthew tells it - they know what part of God’s word and where in Israel to expect a Messiah.

Can be a leader of God’s people, an insider, access to God and his Revelation - but no point being fanatical, extreme, no point believing the more fantastical parts of God’s Word - that he would send a rescuer ()

Frankly, it seems that htis is an inconvenient interruption for them too - and in the end, their appearance is just a cameo, they shuffle on stage and shuffle off stage again - they are not examples, they have the right answer but not the right action - they’re happier to keep their place in that magnificent temple but to not have God interrupt them.

There’s no indication here that they had any interest at all in following this up for themselves.

They give the king what he wants and he gives them what they want - status and authority in their little domain.

No point being extreme (in the coming months as we hear Jesus in his sermon on the mount we will be challenged about greed, sexual immorality, pride, anger - and we will have the same option as these religious elite - to brush it off as a bit extreme for the sake of being respectable, thought well of by our community).

The Magi

[The magi -

Worship at any cost

We don’t know where they came from.

Their outsiders - they don’t have the Scriptures it seems.

They’re learned, but not too smart to ask questions.

They’re overjoyed to be on the right track again.

Overjoyed is an understatement.

They rejoice greatly with super joy.

[The star - don’t get too hung up on it - God used it to get their attention, and to bring them to the exact place.

The God who created everything with words is not going to have trouble moving some kind of celestial object around.]

They worship a toddler.

We find out later in chapter 2 that Jesus is most likely 2 years old based on when the star was sighted by the magi.

Have they travelled for 2 years?

Or been preparing for 2 years.

How long have all their own life plans been put on hold for this.

There’s not hint of grumbling here.

They have joy and worship and giving.

They have eyes to see what is not obvious.

Do their sandals fit?

Will we learn from the magi - this year, with all our plans and intent - will we let God interrupt and draw us to give our lives in joyful worship of Jesus - the king who will save his people from their sins?

One last interruption.

Jesus had power and respect (both King Herod and the religious elite let that stop them coming to Jesus).

Jesus didn’t cling to these but let go.

We might find we’re clinging onto something (being thought well of, being in charge, our own means and ways and resources, our spiritual superiority) - and missing out on Jesus.

[God interrupted -

Rescue at any cost