From Bethlehem Shall Come a Ruler

Intro

It is not uncommon to “mishear” lyrics in songs

You can go to kissthisguy.com to find an archive of misheard lyrics

“kiss this guy” instead of “kiss the sky” by Jimi Hendrix

“Shamu the mysterious whale” instead of “she moves in mysterious ways” by U2

I had this happen to me just this last week!

Tell the story of hearing the song “I’m Not Lucky, I’m Blessed” on CHVN, but hearing “I’m not licking your vest;” Karen heard “I’m not looking my best”

The phenomenon has been lifelong for me

As a kid, I thought the song was called “We Three Kings from Orientar”

Where in the world is Orientar?

Upon closer inspection, there are LOTS of problems with that song (not just my misheard lyric)

They weren’t kings, we aren’t really supposed to use the word “orient” anymore, it’s a stretch to teach that the 3 gifts have specific meanings...

So what can we actually know about the story? Lots!

Just so happens to be our topic of discussion, and it contains another fulfillment of God’s promise through the prophets:

Read Matthew 2:1-12 and pray

Study the Story

After Jesus was born, wise men from the east came searching for him (v. 1)

This took place awhile after the birth of Jesus… wise men were never at the manger!

Journey would have taken time; they find the child in a house (v. 11), and Herod attempts to kill Jesus by targeting children 2 and under (spoilers)

Mary, Joseph and Jesus likely stayed with relatives in Bethlehem once the chaos of the census settled down, rather than travel back to Nazareth with such a young child

Wise men = “Magi”

Originally described a Persian priestly caste; later used more widely to describe magicians and astrologers

Given that they were following a star; likely astrologers

NOT kings, but certainly could have been wealthy and influential

“From the east” is incredibly generic; many different options for origin

And we do not know how many of them came to find Jesus

We use 3 because that’s how many gifts, but it would have likely been a larger group

So much for “We Three Kings of Orient Are!”

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2)

How did a group of Gentile astrologers know that the Messiah (king of the Jews) would be born with the sign of a star?

Great question! I believe we can speculate some details:

Due to the exile and dispersion into the Babylonian empire, magi from “the east” would have had significant contact with Jews and their Scripture

They would have been aware of Numbers 24:17, which was an oracle of Balaam:

Cf. Numbers 24:17.

Star = the sign that the magi were following

Scepter = represents royalty; a king of the Jews that would defeat His enemies

What kind of “star” did the magi see?

Must have been something out of the ordinary (not a regular part of known constellations)

Could have been a natural phenomenon (conjunction of planets/comet/supernova)

But it was certainly miraculous and purposeful by God

Fulfilled a very distinct prophecy (as we have seen)

It re-appeared and moved to guide the magi to Bethlehem (v. 9)

Makes it hard to explain with only natural explanations

Whatever they saw, it was enough to make them take a long journey to find Jesus

Why did the want to find Jesus? To worship him

“Worship” = bow down before someone

Can mean bowing before a superior or in worship to a deity

It is MOST likely that the magi seek to pay homage to a king

Though of course we know that Jesus is worthy of worship as the Son of God

Herod is not a big fan of what is going on

He was “troubled” because the Messiah would be a threat to his own kingship

Herod was and Edomite (not Jewish) and appointed to power by the Romans

A prophesied King from the line of David would have a much greater claim to the throne

Herod was also mercilessly paranoid in keeping power

He had already killed his wife and 2 sons over suspicions they were trying for power

So he gets the priests and scribes together to figure out where the Christ/Messiah/King was to be born

Here we see our second fulfillment in Matthew’s story: Re-read Matthew 2:5-6.

They actually quote 2 different prophecies about the coming king

Mainly found in Micah 5:2 (read verses 2 - 5).

Wording is slightly different; a more full explanation of this ruler as shepherd

Prophecy clearly states the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

It was small and out of the way; insignificant; except not to God and His purposes

Bethlehem has long been an important location for the line of David

Boaz and Ruth (kinsmen redeemer)

Birthplace of David (anointed as king)

Birthplace of Jesus (king of kings)

“Who will shepherd my people Israel” is actually from 2 Samuel 5:2 (read v. 1 - 3)

“The introduction of words from 2 Samuel 5:2 makes clearer the status of Jesus as son of David, born in the city of David, to rule like David over the people of God” (R.T. France)

Herod has most of the information he needs, and hatches a devious plan

Re-read Matthew 2:8.

He wants to use the magi to reveal the specific location of the birth of the king of the Jews

There is NO intention of worship here at all

The Magi embark on the final leg of their journey

The star reappears, and guides them to the place where the child was (more than a natural phenomenon)

When they see the star again, they are overjoyed

This would have affirmed everything they believed; Jesus was the king

They enter the house and find Jesus with his mother Mary

First, they fell down and worshiped him (paid respects due to a king)

Second, they gave him gifts fit for a king

Gold (always valuable)

Frankincense (expensive incense often used in religious ceremonies)

Myrrh (used in perfume and in medicine)

Some may connect gifts with the characteristics of Jesus (gold for a king, frankincense for a diety and myrrh for burial), but that isn’t necessary here

These are gifts fit for a king (emphasize kingship of Jesus)

These gifts also allude to another fulfillment of prophecy

Cf. Isaiah 60:6.

This is all about the future glory of Israel; fulfilled in Jesus

The Lord warns the magi to go home another way, and not return to Herod

They receive this message in a dream (similar to Joseph and the angel)

They obey the message and help keep Jesus safe from harm (for now)

King Jesus

Everything about this passage focuses on Jesus as the King

While there was only one fulfillment directly quoted, there were multiple prophecies in this passage:

Numbers 24:17, Micah 5:2, 2 Samuel 5:2, Isaiah 60:6.

All of them anticipate Jesus as the true, eternal King

Even the drama centres around the kingship of Jesus

The magi came to pay homage to the king of the Jews

Herod was tremendously threatened and jealous at the idea of another potential king

What does the kingship of Jesus mean in our lives?

King Jesus is worthy of our joy

I love how excited the magi were when they saw the star guide them straight to Jesus:

“They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (v. 10)

The thought of being able to meet this future king excited them more than anything else

THIS is why they travelled, lavished gifts, and fell down in reverance

Do we get excited enough about Jesus?

When we see God work in our life, answer prayer, provide us comfort, can we be described as “rejoicing with exceedingly great joy?”

Do you wake up on Sunday morning, just pumped to go to church?

There is a danger that we can place our joy in less-than-worthy things

Talk about the contrast between Franklin Graham rally and Jets returning rally at the Forks

If Jesus is truly the king of Kings, he is worthy or our joy and excitement, above all else

King Jesus is worthy of our gifts

The Magi spared no expense in what they gave to Jesus

They were all incredibly valuable resources that would have cost a significant amount, but a king is worth the gift

Our gifts will be different, but we are also called to give them to Jesus in submission and servitude

Instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh, our commodities are time, money, and energy

Time = Do we prioritize our time with Jesus, or does it come out of what is left?

Devotional time in the morning vs. later in the day

Money = Are we generous in giving to the kingdom work of Jesus, or does it come from what is left?

Firstfruits vs. leftovers; make an intentional plan and stick with it

Energy = Do we give our best work for Jesus, or is it just good enough?

Use the example of types of couches given to the youth room (expand to overall effort)

If Jesus is truly the king of Kings, he is worthy of our primary time, money and energy

King Jesus is worthy of our worship

Did you pick up on the tension in the story? Why would the Gentile Magi be so eager to worship the king of the Jews, while the Jewish priests and scribes showed no interest?

Everyone will react to the kingship of Jesus in some way

React like Herod = threat to my own way of life; must be dealt with

React like the priests and scribes = too preoccupied; missed the sign; were not spiritually aware

React like the magi = looked for Jesus, found Jesus, worshipped Jesus

If Jesus is truly the king of Kings, he is worthy of our worship

We bend our knee; we submit our life; we choose to follow Him as He leads us into life

Pray