Which King will you serve?

Scripture

Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

This is the well known story of the wise men from the east. We often focus on the gifts that they gave. The gold, a gift fit for a king the frankincense, signifying his holy priesthood; and the myrrh signifying his eventual sacrificial death. It is in large part because of the gifts of these wise men that we give gifts today. We always ask what gift are you bringing to God this year? We cannot bring physical gifts and lay them at the feet of baby Jesus like those wise men of old, but God still desires our gifts on Christmas. He desires a thankful heart, He desires that we give Him the glory He is due, and he desires that we live faithful lives of obedience unto Him. We should not forget these important gifts at Christmas time and we need to be reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season. I notice another aspect of this passage.

Two Kings

In this passage are two kings. One an infant in a manger, and one a powerful and successful ruler in the waning years of his reign. Already sick with the disease that would kill him. The wise men were faced with a significant choice. Now these men had spent their lives studying the ancient prophecies that foretold this coming King of the Jews and they had seen His star, so it seems it would be an easy choice. I think we undersell the importance and significance of this choice.

Herod

In modern times we have justice systems, and governments full of checks and balances. We do not understand the power that a king like Herod would have wielded. No, Herod was not the Roman emperor, but Rome did back his government. Herod had restored peace to Israel, at least for a period. He accomplished great building projects, including the Temple which rivaled any building of the ancient world. He brought society and culture and signs of wealth to a trouble ridden and rebellious people. He also brought fear. He executed anyone he felt and a threat to his reign. Most notably several of his children and his favorite wife! Going against the wishes and orders of such a king was likely a deadly experiment. To befriend a man like Herod could likely bring great personal wealth and access to any pleasure that the day afforded.

Jesus

The wise men knew the prophecies and showed far more understanding of thier meanings than did the Jewish religious people. Yet as they offered their gifts before Jesus He offered no immediate benefit! His parents had no power against Herod and Jesus Himself was likely a toddler at this point. Herod was the man of power here and Jesus was a king without a kingdom, a ruler without subjects, and a commander without an army. The promises of the prophecies did not offer immidiate benefit, nor physical benefit. The offer was for eternal and spiritual blessing rather than anything here and now, anything that would bring them wealth, power, or pleasure in their lives. Yet the wise men chose that better gift. That future hope of eternal salvation over obedience to the rulers of this world and the pleasure offorded thereby

Your Choice

Our choice today is not much different. We are faced with a choice in our lives between God and ourselves, between the ruler of the eternal and the ruler of this present age. On the one hand we are offered all the attractive pleasures of life. Empty pleasure that fade quickly, but attract and distract us nonetheless. on the other hand there is Jesus. He offers us eternal life in Heaven with Him. Lasting hope, and everlasting life. Satan and this world promise us ridicule if we do not obey them. They tell us it is impossible and pointless to serve God. God warns of eternal punishment if we reject the gift He has offered. He warns of a life filled with pain and heartache and disappointment if we obey the world and reminds us that it is not in our strength that we live for Him, but that He will help us and strengthen us in this life.

It is obvious choice and yet so many choose against God. This Christmas season who will you choose? Which King will have your alliance? The one who offers temporary pleasures and eternal pain, or the one who promises help in this life and eternal life with Him in paradise in the next?