Who is the King

Before I start my message I want to show a video. It is several years old and has been seen by more than three million so you may have seen it. It was made by Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The video shows some children telling about the birth of Jesus and then has adults acting out the story as told by the children.

VIDEO

SLIDE 1 The video is pretty funny. As it is told by children it is going to have some parts that aren’t exactly accurate. But the truth is that even as adults we sometimes get the facts wrong. We assume some things about the story that aren’t actually in the Bible. For example, we assume there was an inn keeper even though one isn’t mentioned. We’re just told there was no extra room for them. And in fact there were no inns at that time like we know them today. The NIV translates it “guest room” and that’s a better idea of what was happening. With all the people returning to Bethlehem for taxes as Joseph and Mary had done no one had an extra room for them.

If we who believe the story of Christ’s birth to be true sometimes gets some facts wrong, how much more should we expect those in the world to be confused about that true meaning of Christmas? This month we’ve been looking at the true meaning of Christmas in a series I’ve titled Christmas Revealed. Our passage will once again come from the Gospel According to Matthew. SLIDE 2 So turn with me to the second chapter of Matthew. Let’s read the text and then go back and examine it.

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:1-12)

This morning I’ve titled the message “Who is the King?” You might notice that’s not the question asked by the magi. They asked, “Where is the king?” But I think the question we need to be asking – and the real question being asked at that time is – who is the king?

Let’s start by clearing up some things about these men. There are something we don’t know and some we do. First, who are they? Although they are often referred to as kings or wise men, Matthew calls them magi. We can’t be sure where they were from except east of Bethlehem. The best guess is ancient Persia which would be modern day Iran and Iraq. Their trip would have been about a thousand miles. The best idea we have as to their occupation comes from the Old Testament book of Daniel. In the first chapter we’re told how Daniel, Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were selected by the Babylonians for some special training because the four men showed an aptitude for learning, were well informed, and were quick to understand. After their three years of training they would serve as advisers to the king. Some of these advisors were teachers, priests, physicians, interpreters of dreams, and soothsayers. Additionally, others studied astronomy and astrology. It would not be unusual then that they would notice a new star.

How would they know the star had anything do to with a king? It is very possible they had access to the Old Testament and would have connected the prophecy of Balaam recorded in the book of Numbers. SLIDE 3

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. (Number 24:17)

These men that came from a pagan culture recognized the meaning of the star when it appeared. It points to the fact that Jesus came for everyone.

SLIDE 4 So we don’t know where the magi were from. We also don’t know how many there were. Traditionally we say there were three and tradition even gives them names, but the Bible doesn’t say. We think about three men because there were three gifts, however there could have been many more. When I graduated from college I received a pair of casual dress shoes from my four aunts. There was one gift, but it represented four people – not including my uncles and cousins. So while there may have only been three gifts there may have been many more magi.

Here’s what we do know though. We know they weren’t there on the night Jesus was born. Luke tells us how the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus who was lying in the manger. But Matthew says that by the time the Magi arrived they were in a house. We don’t know how much later they arrived, but most guess up to a year. If they first saw the star on the night Jesus was born it would take a while to travel the thousand plus miles. Plus, they would have to get ready for the trip. You don’t make a thousand mile trip on the spur of the moment. They had to carry their own food, water, and lodging. So it could easily have been a year before they arrived. So we’re getting the story wrong when we put the magi at the manger with the shepherds. I heard about one woman who sets up a manger scene and then puts the magi on the refrigerator. And I heard one person who suggested hanging the magi on the rear view mirror of your car because they are were traveling.

When the magi arrive they go Jerusalem, the capital seat. That’s where you would expect to find a king. So they go to Herod and ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”

That was a dangerous question to ask Herod. Herod thought of himself as the king of the Jews though he wasn’t technically a king. He ruled over Judea for the Romans who placed him in the position about forty years before Jesus was born. When some Jewish leaders went to Rome to object Herod had the men killed. Anyone he thought might be trying to take his throne he had killed – including his own family. He had his wife killed because he was led to believe she was trying to overthrow him. So to ask Herod where this new king had been born was dangerous. They may as well have been asking, “Who is the king.” Herod was the king wasn’t he? Herod thought so and no one else was going to disagree with him. Matthew tells us that Herod became disturbed when he heard the question and all of Jerusalem became disturbed with him.

Herod didn’t know where this child was, but he did know who to ask. He asked the chief priests and teachers of the law. It doesn’t seem like they had too much trouble answering the question. They point Herod to the Old Testament prophecy of Micah who prophesied how the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6)

Relaying the information to the magi, Herod asks the men to continue searching for the child and bring him news that he might go and worship the child as well. Of course we know that’s not the reason he wanted to know where Jesus was. Herod wanted to make sure everyone knew who the real king was – and it was him.

What I think is particularly interesting about this story is how the magi travel over a thousand miles to worship this newborn king. They weren’t even Jews. Yet the religious leaders, when told about the birth, could not travel the five miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The Jews had been waiting three thousand years for the Messiah and now when he came they couldn’t go to see him – this one that had been born king of the Jews. Why? They were afraid of Herod, the supposed king.

Once the magi leave Herod the star led them to Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Jesus didn’t look like a king. There was no palace or crown. But the magi recognized the true king and fell on their faces before the small child to worship him. The Magi also brought gifts. These were not birthday gifts but rather gifts being brought to a king because the custom was you never appeared before the king empty handed. The gifts they presented to Jesus were valuable and have meaning in light of what Jesus would later do.

By the world’s standards Jesus was no king, but by God’s standards Jesus is the perfect king. He would also be the perfect sacrifice. SLIDE 5

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

This king came to serve, save and die for us. But this same king will come again. The second time he will not come to die but he will come as Victor and Judge. John writes about his vision of a rider on a white horse followed by the armies of heaven in Revelation. SLIDE 6

15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. SLIDE 7 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:15-16)

The babe that was laid in a manger was the child the Magi knelt before that grew to the man that hung on cross and walked out of the tomb alive again. He is the real King.

SLIDE 8 The question we must ask is who is the king? Who is king of your life?

A Christian author wrote about taking his first child home from the hospital. He says she was so small and looked so fragile in the baby seat that he drove home on the interstate with the hazards lights flashing going thirty-five miles an hour. It was a scary trip for him. He wanted to protect her.

He says it wasn’t the scariest moment though. That didn’t happen for another fifteen years when she got her learner’s permit and he handed her the keys to the car. Now he was moving from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. Until then he’d been driving. Until then he’d been making the decisions. He’d chosen the destination and the route to get there. But that all changed when he moved to the passenger seat. She was now in charge. Whoever is in the driver’s seat is in control. It’s about trust. Do you trust that person now driving?

He then makes this application.

A lot of people find Jesus handy to have in the car as long as he’s in the ride-along seat, because something may come up where they require his services. “Jesus, I have a health problem, and I need some help. . . . I want you in the car, but I’m not so sure I want you driving.” If Jesus is driving, I’m not in charge of my life anymore. If he’s driving, I’m not in charge of my wallet anymore. If I put him in control then it’s no longer a matter of giving some money now and then when I’m feeling generous or when more of it is coming into my life. Now, it’s his wallet. It’s scary. If Jesus is driving, I’m not in charge of my ego anymore. I no longer have the right to satisfy every self-centered ambition. No, it’s his agenda. It’s his life. Now, I’m not in charge of my mouth anymore. I don’t get to gossip, flatter, cajole, deceive, rage, intimidate, manipulate, or exaggerate. I get out of the driver’s seat and hand the keys over to him. I’m fully engaged. In fact, I’m more alive than I’ve ever been before, but it’s not my life anymore. It’s his life.

That’s what it means to make Jesus king of your life. He’s now in control. He calls the shots. And you obey.

In our passage we have two different reactions to Jesus, this new king. There’s the reaction of Herod who wanted the child killed. That’s obviously not the right reaction. But I don’t think that of the magi is right either. The magi traveled more than a thousand miles to see, bring gifts to, and to worship Jesus. These are all laudable things. However, we have no evidence they had any intention of obeying him.

We see both of these reactions in the world. There are those who actively oppose anything to do with Jesus. They will do anything they can to destroy Jesus. Then there are those who play lip service to Jesus. They say good things about Jesus, but there’s no way they’re going to worship and obey him. Jesus wants nothing less than total surrender.

If Jesus is going to be king in our lives we have to hand over the keys. We have to give him control over our lives. So let me ask you that question this morning – Who is king over your life? Are you trying to keep control or have you given control to Jesus?

The Christmas story is amazing. Jesus came to our world becoming human fulfilled scripture. But Jesus didn’t come to stay in manger. Christmas points to Easter when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus came to save us by taking the punishment of all our sins, all our shame, all of our corruption and dies in our place fulfilling the perfect law of God. What place have you given King Jesus in your life?