Discovering Jesus: Hearing the Good News

Matthew 1:18–2:16 (NASB95)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,

25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

2 “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.”

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

4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;

For out of you shall come forth a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.

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

11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.

15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

INTRO: Are you one of those people who believe that Christmas is the best time of the year? People like this tend to love the cold weather, the decorations, and even the busy schedules…I like Christmas, but not because of any of that stuff. I love the story of Christmas. And, I love telling the story of Christmas! Did you know that, especially around Christmas, people are more receptive to talking about the things of God?

In Lowe’s looking at decorations, shopping at the mall, passing neighbors on the street… For many, there is an openness to hear about Jesus. And maybe some folks are just being polite, but here’s my point: This is a great time for people to discover Jesus!

And I use the word ‘discover’ intentionally. You see, to discover means to learn of, or to gain sight or knowledge of something previously unknown.

Sometimes a discovery is dramatic- like when explorers discovered America.

Sometimes a discovery is anticipated, but still very exciting, like when a young couple discovers they are pregnant.

And still other times, a discovery might be terrifying- like when you discover a gas leak.

Whatever the discovery, the discoverer must respond somehow. That’s also true when one discovers Jesus. But let’s dig in just a little more on what it means to discover Jesus.

Did you know that it is possible for:

People to hear about or know about Jesus, yet still not have discovered Him?

These folks may have not recognized His power or his personal nature.

OR, They do not understood the implications of WHO HE IS as it relates their lives.

Did you know that it is possible for:

People to have anticipated Jesus- to want and hope for rescue, but not yet see it?

Perhaps these folks have been searching for what the Bible really says, but haven’t yet connected the dots.

Or maybe they desire some sort of additional sign or clarity that assures them of God’s promises.

Did you know that it is possible for:

People to have a ‘belief’ in Jesus, but reject any action for fear of what that might mean?

They perhaps have not yet realized/ acknowledged that He is God. They may deny it explicitly.

Or perhaps they simply do not want to give up their life for anyone, even for God in flesh.

To discover Jesus is to see Him for who He is and Respond Appropriately.

Not every encounter with Jesus is necessarily a discovery. After all, How many people encountered Jesus during His ministry that missed him all together?

My hope today is to help you discover Jesus as we look at some examples of others who heard the news and responded.

The sermon today is titled, Discovering Jesus: Hearing the Good News. In our passage today, we will look at three responses to hearing the news of Jesus.

As we walk through them, I want you to reflect upon your personal response to discovering Jesus.

Let’s begin. First we look at:

Joseph’s Response (18-25)

(READ 1:18-19)

You all remember who Joseph is, right? He’s the man who was set to marry Mary.Joseph was a good man. He feared God and this whole pregnant wife out of wedlock thing was scandalous.

Still, though the laws of the day actually allowed for him to stone Mary because infidelity was a serious offense, he instead had decided he was just going to quietly end the whole thing.

This is reasonable, I think. I mean, he knew that it wasn’t his kid. This was no way to start a marriage. But before he could act, he encountered an angel of the Lord in a dream who gave him some good and might I say, timely news.

(READ 20-23)

Good news- this baby is actually the promised Messiah, born of the Holy Spirit, indeed the Savior of the world.

Notice that the angel didn’t say Jesus was going to give people financial health or that he was coming to bring physical vitality. No, the greatest need of all humanity is to be saved from our sins!

Joseph, even though he was called righteous, no doubt understood that the sacrifices, festivals, all the religious holidays and traditions could not save them, but instead were pointing forward to a blessed HOPE! - The promise of God was for a Messiah who would perfectly accomplish salvation.

You and I need to understand something significant here: At this juncture, Joseph had to choose between his public image, and Jesus. Who is going to believe this story? Joseph, having heard the good news was either going to be a fool and reject it, or be perceived as a fool by the world and accept it.

Paul actually says something similar about the Gospel of Jesus - 1 Cor. 1:18

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB95

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

And that’s kind of the point. In this good news encounter, Joseph would have to respond: Do I try to keep on earning my righteousness in the eyes of men or do I obtain salvation through the son of God? (Think of how family gatherings would have been! Think of how potential employers would see him, not to mention people who served in synagogues and temples! )

This choice required action. Would he lay down his claim to righteousness in response to God’s provision?

Joseph responded to the Good News in obedience.

(READ 24-25)

This sounds so radical! But, you see, when we discover Jesus as the Messiah we realize that it demands the same kind of radical obedience from us as well!

Maybe you are here today, and you are still trying to earn your way into God’s favor. The message of Good News is that 1) You can’t. and 2) Jesus paid it all.

You’ve heard that good news.. how do you respond?

Next we look at:

The Magi’s Response (1-2; 9-12)

(READ 2:1-2)

The Magi were a group of highly educated men who served a king - perhaps in the Babylon area. It’s likely that they were influenced and taught in previous generations about the Messiah through Jewish books, like the Torah, and possible from a fellow by the name of Daniel, who we know from the Old Testament.

Verse 2 says they “saw his star” which indicates that they knew of the prophecies of a coming Messiah and evidently signs that they would know the promise of God had been fulfilled. Num. 24:17 may be one such prophesy.

Numbers 24:17 (NASB95)

17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near;

A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel,

And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

There are a lot of things we do not know- was it a star like we see at night? a comet? a planet? How did it rest over the house of Mary and Joseph? I don’t have all the answers.

I can tell you only that this was a supernatural star- maybe akin to the pillar of fire that led Moses and the Israelites through the desert. Either way, these Magi were waiting and watching. It’s important that we note their disposition, so let’s lean in here:

These were Gentiles- they were from a foreign nation and served a foreign king as advisors. Yet with all the promises of riches and comfort that their earthly king offered, with all the wonder of the stars and heavens that they studied, they had their eyes set on a greater King and kingdom!

They were seeking that which this world cannot compare and when they saw the star, they came so they could worship the Jesus they were waiting for. They came so they could give gifts and humble themselves before this King. Look with me to 9-12 (READ)

Some of you have come here today, expecting to meet with the Lord in worship. You’ve brought your gifts- your financial tithes, your spiritual gifts to serve, and you have come humbly here because when you heard the news- that there was a king who is more mighty than all the world; a king who has all wisdom and power; a king who is holy and just- Your response to that news was humble worship, like the Magi.

But maybe you are here and you don’t see the point of worship. Maybe you don’t see the point of giving. Let me just ask you: Have you discovered King Jesus?

Do you understand that He will reign for all eternity- His kingdom shall have no end- nobody is going to conquer His throne, nor will He abdicate it. Nobody can vote Him out nor plot a coop to overthrow Him. This King - the Son of God, Jesus - authored life, defeated death, and He holds the keys to heaven and hell! King Jesus, my friend is worthy of ALL worship!

So bring your gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Bring your life and bow down before Him. Haven’t you heard? Our God reigns - And one day soon, He’s coming back to gather His saints and judge the earth.- I urge you to discover Him and RESPOND to Him before it’s eternally too late.

Joseph obeyed when the good news was proclaimed.

The Magi responded to the good news in worship.

Both of these have been positive responses to the Good News. The last response, however is a bit different: Let’s look at:

Herod’s Response (3-8;16)

Herod was a Jewish king, although his power was limited under the Roman Rule. He was not a legitimate king, for he was not in the kingly bloodline, and had bribed and bought his way to this throne. He loved the power, and historians note that he was known for his paranoia and cruelty- even towards his own family. Look with me to v.3

(READ 3-6)

When Herod heard that the prophesied King and Savior had come, he was troubled and so were all the folks in Jerusalem. But, I think that they were troubled for different reasons. Let’s look at Herod’s response:

He wanted to know where the prophecy was to take place. His purpose, as we see later in the chapter, is because he does not want any challengers to his throne. In his eyes, he stole the throne fair and square and he wasn’t about to let some other king take it from him.

All he could see was how much he might have to give up; He saw a loss of power and influence. He saw maybe all the ways his life was going to change and he did not like that at all. When he heard of this new king, Jesus,

Herod responded to the Good News in anger.

In fact, his anger raged so much that he ordered the death of every male child under the age of 2. (READ 16)

So Herod heard that the promised Messiah had come. The one promised to take away the sins of the world. Yet, instead of hearing the good news that He could be redeemed, he chose to hear only that he would have to give up his throne. He would no longer be the lord of his life. And so Herod rejected the good news.

The result is that several families in Jerusalem would suffer.

ILL: Herod’s response to the good news of Jesus is sad, but not uncommon. On a number of occasions, I’ve talked to folks about Jesus and their response is something like:

I ain’t giving up my beer.

I ain’t giving up sleeping in on Sundays.

I ain’t giving up sex outside of God’s design.

I ain’t giving up __________________

And sadly, many of these will lash out in anger also. The message of good news threatens them.

Maybe you know someone who is kind of like Herod. Maybe YOU are kind of like Herod- fearful because you know that to acknowledge Jesus as King means that you have to step down from your throne. Like Herod, you have been fighting the fight of self-preservation, and you have missed what makes this news so good!

Friends, Jesus is a way better king than you or I could ever be! He’s holy- without fault or flaw. He’s compassionate and just; He’s all-powerful; no enemy can stand against Him.

The thing is, there’s only room on the throne for one king.

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in Matt 16:24-27

Matthew 16:24–27 (NASB95)

24 “...If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

Here’s the GOOD NEWS: We are sinners. We think and act like in ways that are contrary to God’s perfect standard. That perfect God who created this world stepped into it, taking on humanity; taking upon himself the sins of the world so that whoever believes in Him; whoever calls upon him in faith and repentance will be saved and given new life in Christ.

And look, though you might be trying real hard to earn heaven or to hold onto the lusts of this world, you need to know that your ONLY HOPE is JESUS!

That’s Good News! And that Good News is for YOU! Salvation has been proclaimed, and His name is Jesus!

Friends, I invite you to discover Him today and to respond in obedience and worship. Set your eyes on a throne that is greater than you; on a perfect King who has come to meet your greatest need.

Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved from your sin today.

[PRAY]

Discuss: What must Joseph consider when obeying God to marry Mary?

Discuss: How can you foster an anticipation of Christ in your daily life?

Discuss: Who can you pray for this Christmas season that is a little like Herod?