The Hope at Christmas
Christmas Series 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 15 viewsProphet’s Candle for hope and anticipation
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Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
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, 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.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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.
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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever been in a situation that was so serious that you were concerned that you could not get out?
I remember just a few weeks ago that I was in such a situation. I was leaving work around 5 and I got out of my car to close our gate. Unfortunately, I had been having trouble with my door handle. When the door closed, I was locked out of my running car. My phone was inside the locked car. Needless to say, this was an issue…Knowing that Melody was on the way to help was a significant load off of my mind. This was a hope that I was able to see accomplished when she pulled up with a key to open the car. Hope brought the literal key that unlocked my problem. There is power in hope.
What does secular people say about hope?
Hope is the physician of every misery.
Anonymous
What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.
Anonymous
In the kingdom of hope there is no winter.
Anonymous
Clearly, hope is important in the world at large. However, this morning, we are more concerned with what the Bible says about hope. What can we learn from Scripture regarding hope?
Hope is found in the LORD.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we hope in thee.
Hope is a choice.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him
For the help of his countenance.
There is hope for life after death.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness:
But the righteous hath hope in his death.
This final truth is the most important truth regarding hope. Whether we have hope in this life for each day, we can have hope for eternity to come. That hope is found in Jesus and what He has done for us. As we study the Christmas story, we see that there is hope in the hearts of the Gospel writers, the characters and the prophets of the Old Testament. Hope is the expectation of God’s fulfilled promises. God will carry out what He promises always!
Declaration
Declaration
Jesus is the hope for our world. He is the hope because He has saved us from our sin. God can dwell with those who are redeemed and their sin is covered. The prophesies point to this salvific hope.
1. The Hope for the Couple
1. The Hope for the Couple
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Joseph is the primary character in this passage on the hope at Christmas. We see him as the future husband of a beautiful bride. He is excited and is preparing for the coming wedding. However, something happens to challenge his hope. His future wife is “found with child”. This status would have had destructive effects on his reputation and her future marriage. Think of this trial in his life.
Joseph shows good instincts as he thinks carefully what he should do. Instead of taking immediate action, he ponders his next move. He is described here as a “just man”. He wanted to make sure that he did the lawful and right thing in the sight of God. God’s law was clear regarding adultery. He also wanted to be courteous to his betrothed.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
While doing so, God communicates with him. Part of that communication is a prediction that echos prophecy from the Old Testament. God addresses the fear that is affecting his hope. He says, “fear not.” What can be said to us in times of doubt and fear? “Fear not!” Hope is choosing to reject the reality of fear because we know the truth of God’s Word. Joseph exercises such hope.
Joseph is obedient. He “did” what God commanded him to do and took care of Mary as she prepared for the birth of Jesus. The choice of Joseph was a choice of hope. Today, Jesus is our Hope for our daily lives. God was in control back then and He is in control today!
Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Matthew 1:18–25
Joseph is not an active agent in Jesus’ physical birth, but his obedience to God becomes paramount for Jesus as the messianic Son of David. Mary too is a passive character, as all verbs concerning her are passive.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Hope for the Couple
2. The Hope for the Cursed
2. The Hope for the Cursed
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The Bible is divided into two portions of Scripture. The first portion is called the Old Testament. The second portion is called the New Testament. Throughout the Old Testament, there were men who had the future revealed to them. They were called prophets. One of the greatest portions of their prophecies regarded the coming Messiah. He was the Anointed One that God would send to bring out the people of Israel into a future, perfect kingdom.
Here in Matthew, we see the initial fulfillment of these prophecies. Jesus came the first time to die for us. He will come the second time to bring those who are saved into that perfect kingdom. The reason for the birth of Jesus is the salvation of mankind through removal of sin. Jesus removes the eternal separation from God that was the destiny of mankind because of their sin. The name of Jesus is the key to His identity and our insecurity. Without Jesus, we continue on over the cliff into hell. There is hope for mankind under the curse of sin!
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Matthew is careful to connect the events of his Gospel account to the Old Testament prophecies that they fulfill. In this passage, the birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua and His name means “Jehovah saves”. Isaiah connects this birth with Deity of Christ as well.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel.
Immanuel or Emmanuel is a name for Jesus pointing to His status as God. God had promised throughout the Old Testament that one day He would dwell with mankind. This time has now come. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He works on the inside unlike the law could do; For faith is of the heart and the law is of the hand.
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the Lord,
I will put my law in their inward parts,
And write it in their hearts;
And will be their God,
And they shall be my people.
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
Throughout the Prophets, God made promises of Hope for the Cursed. That hope continues today. There is hope for all of us in our sin. All we must do is reach out to Him in faith. Jesus is salvation and He is the remover of our sin because He took it and paid for it Himself on the cross.
Hope for the Couple
Hope for the Cursed
3. The Hope for the Curious
3. The Hope for the Curious
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, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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. 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Chapter 2 gives us a change of characters and a change of scenery. We move from Bethlehem up the road about 5 miles to Jerusalem, the capital of the Roman province of Judea. Here, we will encounter the so called “King of the Jews” who was not a Jew. Instead, Herod was a descendent of Esau.
Several men come from the east looking for the expected king who was to be born. The magos or wise men were those who had experience in occultic arts including astrology. This was a class of courtiers and scholars that existed as far back as Babylon. There, they interacted with Daniel. This particular group likely originated from the same city of Babylon, however, now under the power of the Parthians, a tribe from Iran. These wise men were unlikely to have been Jewish. There were likely more than three and they probably traveled with an entourage. However, the one thing that has stayed true to today is that they were searching for the right thing!
They arrive in Jerusalem following the star. It is likely they interpreted a prophecy from Balaam as referring to this star and the coming King of the Jews. What hope to travel so far looking for the King!
I shall see him, but not now:
I shall behold him, but not nigh:
There shall come a Star out of Jacob,
And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,
And shall smite the corners of Moab,
And destroy all the children of Sheth.
The path of the wise men led them to Jerusalem because of a star. There are several different explanations for this star. One is that it was a supernova. There are at least two records in the Far East of supernovas about 4 or 5 BC. Another explanation is that the star was a comet or an alignment of several planets. This star was unique in that it traveled north instead of east and west. We can see this through the orientation of Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Whatever the star was, the word here refers to something other than the sun that was clearly seen in the sky. There is a possibility that the star was in fact an angel. This would have explained the guidance and movement of the star throughout the story.
The phrase “shall rule” in verse 6 points to the prophecy that Jesus would come as a Shepherd for Israel. This imagery was seen throughout the Old Testament with the sheep being the children of Israel. God was pictured as a Shepherd as well. Jesus fulfills this prophecy through ultimately dying for His sheep.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Notice, that there is a contrast between the reaction of Herod and Jerusalem to the star and the reaction of the wise men. Herod and Jerusalem “were troubled.” They were very concerned and disturbed because of what they perceived was upheaval in the land. The wise men rejoiced and worshiped. The wise men responded to the announcement of Jesus’ birth with the appropriate hope that there was going to be something happening that the prophets had foretold.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah,
Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;
Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
After finding Jesus, the wise men take time to give Him honor and to give their gifts. They have traveled many miles to show respect to the coming King. They bring out of their “treasure chest” the gifts that they have chosen to bring to honor Jesus.
Gold - this was likely coins that could be easily transported from the lands of the East
Frankincense - this was a concoction that had health benefits and also could be used in worship when burned
Myrrh - this was a concoction that had a strong odor and could be used as a form of incense.
The multitude of camels shall cover thee,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All they from Sheba shall come:
They shall bring gold and incense;
And they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
What is the message of these wise men who travel to Judea? Their message is that there is hope. Jesus is the Hope for the Curious. There is a sign that we often see around Christmas time. It shows the Three Wise Men and it says this, “Wise men still seek Him.” How true! Hope is the expectation of God’s fulfilled promises. These men were looking for Jesus! They traveled and searched diligently till they found Him. Are you looking for Jesus? Are you looking for hope? Find your hope in Him today.
Hope for the Couple
Hope for the Cursed
Hope for the Curious
Conclusion
Conclusion
No matter if you need hope for your daily life, your eternal life or your spiritual life, Jesus is that hope. He was the hope of the daily needs of Joseph and Mary. He is the hope of the sin-cursed needs of all of mankind. He is the hope of the spiritual needs of those who diligently search for Him. Jesus is the Hope at Christmas.
Jesus is the hope for our world. He is the hope because He has saved us from our sin. God can dwell with those who are redeemed and their sin is covered. The prophesies point to this salvific hope.
Jesus is pictured in this passage as the means of salvation for the world. This is the way that we ought to look at Christmas. Instead of only celebrating the birth of Christ as a time of giving, we need to see it as a time of hope for a sinful world. The name of Jesus is a name that points to His desire to save mankind.
Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances which we know to be desperate.
G K Chesterton
That is the condition that we find ourselves in. Our plight in eternity is desperate. In this world without Christ, we have no hope. We are sinners. We are condemned by the choices that we have made that violate God’s righteous law. Even Joseph, a “just man”, was a sinner.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
We are all without hope if we do not have Jesus as our salvation. Jesus came for the specific reason that we needed salvation through Him for our sin.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Where is your hope this year at Christmas? As we look toward another new year, are you hoping in something that you can accomplish? Are you hoping in circumstances to improve or someone else to change? Or have you given up hope completely, just resigned to the inevitable?
Hope is vital to our lives. Jesus is our hope. For the Christian, this Hope is inside. For the sinner, this Hope is outside. But today, you can choose hope. All that is necessary is faith in Him. Realize you are a sinner. Recognize that He has removed you sin by His Death, Burial and Resurrection. Take the free gift of eternal life today. Take ahold of the Hope at Christmas today!
Hope is a word which has taken on a new and deeper meaning for us because the Savior took it into His mouth. Loving Him and obeying Him, we suddenly discover that hope is really the direction taken by the whole Bible. Hope is the music of the whole Bible, the heartbeat, the pulse and the atmosphere of the whole Bible.
A. W. Tozer
