Jesus, The Unexpected King
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Key Question: Are you living in expectation of Jesus our Coming King?
Point: True Disciples of Christ Jesus live in expectation of His return – the Second Advent.
Me – The Unexpected Visit of Mom
I began to skip school and cut class in the first grade. Mom would drop me off at school, and I would wait until she was out of sight and then I would commence to walk back home across town for the next half hour. I would get home, make myself some chocolate milk and watch television or play in my room the rest of the day. I was always sure to eat my lunch and clean whatever dishes I left in the sink so mom and dad would not find me out. Everything was going smooth until mom came home one day at lunch, unexpectedly, for lunch! I scrambled to shut off the TV, rinse my glass of chocolate milk and stow away my backpack in my closet. Hiding in my room, behind my chair, with the door closed I waited for the door to open and announce my mother’s arrival. Sitting in my room I heard my mother’s footsteps moving down the hall, hoping to the bathroom or her bedroom. Suddenly it dawned on me as my mother’s footsteps stopped outside my door. I forgot to remove my shoes from in front of the door. All I heard was “Shannon!” and my life for the next week or month would never be the same.
We – Do you and I live expecting the “Unexpected”?
Many of us live without expecting the unexpected. Like myself, in grade one, I did not expect my mom to come home, at lunch, the day I was busted. Some of us do live expecting the unexpected because we have been caught off-guard by the unexpected that we now expect it.
The motto goes like this, “Expect the unexpected” (and all the pessimists of the world say, “Amen”!) Do you and I live expecting the unexpected? As a disciple of Christ, I say to you, that you should live your life expecting the unexpected. Jesus tells us so in The Parable of the Ten Virgins that he shares with His disciples [Read: Mt. 25:1-13]
“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.
Jewish Wedding Custom/Tradition
Covenant and Bride Price
When a young man desired to marry a young woman in ancient Israel, He would prepare a contract or covenant to present to the young woman and her father. The covenant showed his willingness to provide for the young woman and described the terms under which he proposed marriage. Most important part of the covenant was the bride price, the price that the young man was willing to pay to marry the young woman. The price would be negotiated between the man and the bride’s father and was usually quite high; price paid showed how valuable the woman was to the man.
Jesus came to earth to present His marriage contract to man. The contract Jesus presented is the new covenant, providing the forgiveness of sins for people. The bride price Jesus paid was His life, His blood.
According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment — so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
When Jesus broke bread with the disciples He said, “…This is My body given for you…” (Lk. 22:20).
Therefore, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
The Cup
If the Bride and her father agreed to the price and covenant the young man would pour a glass of wine for the young woman. If she drank it, it would indicate her acceptance of the proposal. The man and woman were now considered betrothed, legally binding just like marriage today. Only difference the marriage was not yet consummated. A typical betrothal period was 1-2 years. During this time, it was expected that both the man and woman would be preparing themselves for marriage and would not typically see each other until then.
Jesus poured the wine and offered it to His disciples at the Passover as a drink to seal the marriage covenant with them. Matthew 26:28-29
For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.”
The disciples drank the cup and accepted Jesus’ contract as we do each time, we take the cup in communion…we renew our commitment to the covenant.
Gifts to the Bride
Gifts were typically given to the bride to show the bridegroom’s appreciation for the bride. Jesus gave us the gift of Holy Spirit to remind us of Him, His truth and to live in us and us in Him (John 14:26; 1 Jn. 4:13).
Mikveh
Was a cleansing bath that the bride would take; the same word used for baptism. Jesus’ Mikveh for His bride is the baptism of Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Preparing a Place
During the betrothal period, the bridegroom would prepare a wedding chamber and home, built as the bridegroom’s house. This was built to the specifications of the groom’s father. The couple would spend seven days there in the wedding chamber. The young man could only get his bride when his father approved of his preparations and building of the home and wedding chamber.
Jesus said to His disciples, Jn 14:2-4
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”
Just as the groom and people did not know when the father would approve his son to go and get his bride, likewise the Son does not know when the Father will send Him to get His bride.
“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son —except the Father. Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
The Waiting Bride and Retrieval
The bride while waiting for her groom to come was considered “consecrated”, “set apart” or “bought with a price”. If she went out she would wear a veil so others would know she was betrothed. This was the time she prepared for marriage and saved money during this time. She would prepare herself to be the most beautiful she could be and keep “ready”. Typically, bridegrooms would come for their brides in the middle of the night to “steal them away”. The bride would have to always have her lamp and belongings ready. Her bridesmaids would do likewise. At the sound of the shofar, rams horn trumpet, the bridegroom would announce his coming.
Jesus instructed us to stay ready in the same way because we are the bride He is coming for (Mt. 25:1-13).
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.
A disciple of Christ Jesus lives life expecting the unexpected.
God – Jesus the “Unexpected” Savior
There was nothing usual or common about the birth and early childhood of Jesus. Practically every event was unusual or uncommon, totally unexpected.
Jesus was/is God’s very own Son He was born of a virgin birth, conceived by the Holy Spirit, carried, and delivered of a woman – Mary. His arrival was announced by angels He was born in a stable Given honor, glory, riches, and worship before even 3 months old. His birth was foretold and prophesied before He came to earth and was born. An unusual bright star appeared announcing His arrival and led three magi, from another country to come and worship.
The three Magi or wise men were
From the East (most likely Persia, modern day Iran) They were men of learning and authority, skilled in philosophy, science, medicine, and astrology. It is also thought that they were of the priestly order of Persia, ministers, and advisors to the Persian rulers. It has even been floated that they may have been displaced Israelites, living in a foreign land, awaiting the sign of the Messiah. As these three wise men sought Jesus the unexpected continued to happen time and time again to them.
The unexpected Savior: Jesus was born in Bethlehem (v.1). The unexpected question: Where is the newborn King (v.2)? Their unexpected disturbance (v.3-6). Their unexpected commission: having to search for the newborn King (v.7-8). Their unexpected sign: the star guided them again (v.9-10). Their unexpected King: a humble child in humble surroundings (v.11).
The Unexpected Savior: Born in Bethlehem (v.1)
Jesus, the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem, six miles south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem was famous for two things:
The home and city of King David (1 Sam. 16:1; 17:12; 20:6)
Prophesied to be the home of the Messiah’s birth (Micah 5:2) “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem while Herod the Great was King (v.1)
Herod was a bloody tyrant. It is recorded in history that he murdered members of his own family including his favourite wife, her grandfather, her brother, and some of his own children. He even had the whole Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Jewish government, assassinated. He also had every noble man in Jerusalem murdered. Herod ordered all children, 2 years and younger, killed, not only in Bethlehem, but “in its vicinity” (v.3:16). Herod had people killed because they were a threat to his throne. He attempted to kill Jesus because He was a threat to his throne.
The Unexpected Question: Where is the newborn King? (v.2)
How did the Magi know that the King of the Jews had been born? It says they saw “His star in the east” (v.2). What is meant by that is not clearly known but assumed a bright light or star or planet(s). The fact is it was some unusual astronomical light that one would not be able to miss if looking for it (v.9). You would call it a miracle. A miracle in that it appeared at the very time the wise men were given knowledge of the newborn King. It was a miracle in that it appeared again for the specific purpose of guiding the wise men to Bethlehem and Jesus.
After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.
Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This light was a miracle that it appeared at the very time of Jesus’ birth and that it appeared to Gentile wise men (supposedly), who were studying the stars and watching for signs of anything usual or unusual; a star signifying that the Jewish Messiah was born. The unexpected in this whole thing also was that the Gentile wise men (supposedly), came specifically to worship what or whom they found – the child of a reigning King, a Jewish King. No wonder they headed to Jerusalem and wound up in Herod’s court; he was the reigning King and Jerusalem was the capital city where the throne was.
Herod was a King of the Jews, but not a Jewish King. Why are people today not asking ‘Where is He – the King of the Jews?’
Because humanity tends to be wrapped up in distractions of the Evil One.
Self and worldly affairs Ambition and material possessions
The physical and the flesh
One does not expect the non-Christian world to ask the question.
It is totally not expected that Jesus’ own so called disciples would not know – would not live in expectation of His coming.
It is not expected that the “religious” would not know and ask the question.
We do not expect the Bible to be truthful in what it says. We do not expect it to fulfill prophecy or foretell (forth tell) the future.
402 prophecies have been fulfilled of the Bible
293 prophecies to be fulfilled or being fulfilled (The Prophecy Study Bible)
8300 verses of predictive prophecy in the Bible
25% of the Bible was written as prophecy – being an amount equal to the size of the entire New Testament.
The Bible says of prophecy, “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” -2 Peter 1:20, 21
Is a declaration of God’s point of view (i.e., Amos 3:1-8) A reproach or exhortation; typically employing the word woe and demanding a change in behaviour on the part of the hearer (i.e., Hab. 2:6-8) Is a threat or promise (i.e., Mic. 4:1) How does one know that what a prophet says is true?
“You may say to yourself, ‘How can we recognize a message the LORD had not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” -Deut. 19:21-22
How does one know that what the Bible says is true or truth?
Has what the Bible speaks of or spoken of been fulfilled or being fulfilled? Of roughly 700+ prophecies the Bible has spoken of, 402 have been fulfilled and 293 are in the process of or being fulfilled today. I ask you, should we not expect the unexpected of what the Bible speaks of today, as hard as some of it may seem to digest. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you expect the unexpected of what the Bible speaks of because of the fulfillment of what it has already spoken of. So where is the newborn King? Here....
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” -John 1:49
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” -John 18:37
“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:7
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. –Dan. 7:14
So, where is the King?
He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
The wise men illustrate the world’s blindness to eternal affairs. A wise person is a person who seeks after Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews and His Kingdom to come.
The Unexpected Disturbance: The Magi informing the Religionists of the newborn King (v.3-6)
Ever been informed of something that you should have been aware of or known? Not knowing has cost people jobs, relationships, and lives. [Illustration]?Dropping off Dick’s trailor yesterday, Dick asked me what the piece of paper was on his trailer jack? I said I did not know. It turned out to be a ticket from the city of Calgary for having a trailer on public streets detached from the vehicle. Not allowed! I had no idea. I had detached it because I was going to meet a friend for breakfast and did not want to tow it along into a crowded parking lot. I guess I should have been a neusence instead. The funny thing is the time of the ticket. I had not even left yet. I had gone in the house, after unhooking, for about 10 minutes and that’s when I got the ticket. I think they were spying on me and the trailer.
The Magi were the ones to inform the Jews that their promised Messiah was born. No one knew about the newborn Christ. Three groups were disturbed by not expecting the unexpected Christ.
Some people – had expected Jesus’ coming, but He did not come as they expected.
They expected a conquering King to vanquish their foes and restore the Kingdom of Israel; not a child or a humble self-giving carpenter/teacher/Savior (Mt. 1:18) Some did not believe; others could care less, and others did not want to know about a king who might disturb their lives. Has the Savior of the world come as you expected? Do you care if the Savior has come and is coming back to destroy the wrong and establish the right? Do you care to know that you need a Savior? Do you want to know the Savior who will cause you to re-order your life and priorities and reveal what is really of value in this world and the world to come?
The Government was disturbed by the unexpected birth of Jesus because it did not want a king coming from God who might threaten the present line and form of authority.
The government was Herod – who is the government today? Why do the nations rage in vain against God, the church and the Bible? Because they are a threat to their throne and rule – preventing them from their evil desires that lead them to cheat, murder, lie, steal and war. Why are the 10 commandments removed from the steps of a courthouse in the United States and placed in a storage room? Not because they offend; but because they are a reminder of God’s truth and rule and threat to the present line and form of authority. Why has prayer to God been removed from most schools, courtrooms, hospitals, and public institutions in our nation of Canada? Because prayer is a reminder of Who really is in control and has the power in this world and the world to come. It brings down strongholds and reminds those who think they have power and are in control, as to really Who is.
For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
Why is it a crime to own or have in your possession a Bible in many countries today, and be put in jail or put to death? Because
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
It brings you before God. It slays your heart and exposes you naked before the eyes of Him to whom one will give an account for what they are, have done and have become or becoming. The Bible saves because it is the Words of God to humanity revealing one’s sin and condition of the soul. It causes conviction because its Words are true. It is solid food that helps one trained by it to distinguish between good and evil (Heb. 5:14).
That’s real power. Isn’t it interesting that as more and more hotel and motels become more technologically enhanced (satellite, internet, etc...), we see less and less Bibles in the corner side tables. What does that say?
Religionists were disturbed by the Magi because they did not want the King to come as He had come.
Jesus and His coming did not match their beliefs.
How many times do we resist Jesus because He does not match up with our beliefs as to how He should operate, or how He should approach us or treat us or speak to us or think?
Others did not recognize Jesus as king because they did not want another one.
They were comfortable in their material world and the humanistic religion they had created.
Others were just too busy in their religious affairs and duties to be spiritually sensitive of Jesus coming. Some religionists did turn to Jesus after though (Acts 6:7; 15:5; 18:8, 17)
Jesus said this of those whom where unexpectedly disturbed,
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back— and I would cure them.
One does not know God because one has fostered and cultivated sinful selfish desires in one’s heart causing it to become hard and brittle, breaking into pieces in the face of the hardness of life and the enemy. One does not know God because one will not open their ears to hear the incredible love that Jesus has for them or the truth that He speaks. One does not know God because one refuses to look with faith and reason to the person of Christ who died on the cross for one’s sin to give life, redemption from sin and death, choosing to believe that no one in their right mind would do that for them or could do that for them.
They refuse to simply acknowledge that the beauty around them trees, animals, flowers, mountains, stars, the galaxy and other people have an order and logic to them – a kindness. The unexpected is to find a Savior who expected to die for you so you could have life eternal with Him.
One never expected to find a love like that, in a God, who would give of Himself to love a person like you and me. Believers are to expect the unexpected in this world, with God, because He did the unexpected with the birth and death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
You - The Unexpected Commission: Search for the newborn King (v.7-8)
The Magi never expected they would have to search for Jesus. Do people have to search for Jesus when they meet you and me?
The Unexpected Sign: The Star guided them again (v.9-10)
The Magi apparently did not expect the supernatural sign to guide them again, but it appeared again. They had searched faithfully and done all they could, and they were continuing on. God honours such efforts,
You welcome the one who joyfully does what is right; they remember You in Your ways. But we have sinned, and You were angry. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?
But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
God will guide, but one needs to seek Him, draw near to Him, and believe that He exists, with all one’s heart and soul, and then one will find God; He will reveal Himself to the sincere seeker.
The Unexpected King: the Baby Jesus (v.11)
The Magi found a humble child in humble surroundings. God’s ways are not man’s way.
Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world —what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence.
But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
What do you expect to find in the manger this Christmas – the Jesus of your expectation, or the Jesus of the unexpected? The Community of the Saved live this life expecting the unexpected from God because He sent an expected Savior unexpectedly. Does God always do things we expect? Does God do the things we expect, as we expect? This is why we are called to live by faith, expecting the expected to come unexpectantly. This is the mystery of the manger, the Incarnation, the ways of God…expecting the unexpected or the expected unexpectantly.