The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Part II
Notes
Transcript
4. Christmas is a wonderful declaration of God’s inclusion (Matthew 2:1-2)
Some two years after Jesus was born the wise men came from the East. These men were “students of the stars” and traveled up to two years (from probably Babylon) to come and worship “the king of the Jews.” It was to unworthy shepherds that the first news of the Savior’s birth was foretold, now another group comes to worship Him, namely Gentiles.
This foreshadows the reality that Jesus is not simply going to remain “king of the Jews” but he will be King of the nations! His miraculous coming into the world signals that this good news will be to “all men with whom He is pleased.”
God’s plan has always been to bring all people (Jew and Gentile) into His kingdom through His Son:
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Who do we need to include in our communication of the Gospel?
As those who have been brought near, who do we need to gather from far off?
5. Christmas is a wonderful encouragement when things seem wrong
While the entire chapter of Matthew tells of the miraculous, often dangerous rescue of the child Jesus, a tragedy is mixed in to its words. Herod “the Great” in furious anger and jealousy murders all male children in the region who were two years old and younger. The sad reality of Herod’s reaction will be discussed in a few minutes, but think about what else is going on in this passage.
Though wickedness seems to be rampant, Matthew 2 is filled with Old Testament references to fulfilled prophecy in the early years of Jesus’ life. Four different prophecies are fulfilled in this chapter while Jesus and his family are on the run:
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.”
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
What is abundantly clear as Matthew begins His gospel is that God is sovereign over all of these things. By God’s promise and through the fulfillment of His prophetic word, God “meant for good all that they had meant for evil” (Genesis 50:20). God is sovereign even over evil and works it according to His purpose and glory. As a matter of fact, God is working “all things for good to them who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28)
The wickedness seen in the world today is the result of willing sinful action among those who have been infected with the curse of Adam. Yet, in that great darkness God’s grace shines forth to accomplish redemption in His Son!
There is no such thing as “purposeless evil” because we serve a sovereign God who accomplishes all His purposes. Though He is not the author of evil, He does not stand in subjection to it. Rather, one day God will right all wrongs and set up a world known for its perfect righteousness.
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Are you trusting the Lord even when times are difficult?
How can we be “agents of change” in a world of wickedness?
6. Christmas is a wonderful warning to those living for their own kingdom
If ever there was a villain of the Christmas story, it is Herod the Great! Seeking to find and eliminate the threat of someone usurping his throne, he sough to trick the wise men with false piety to discover the location of Jesus. Yet, God intervened in the dreams of the magi to keep them from telling him.
Herod’s jealousy and insecurities led him, not to worship Jesus, but to seek to rid the world of Him. Herod’s wickedness effected not only himself but so many around Him.
Herod was “the king who missed Christmas” because He was so worried about His own kingdom, he failed to see the dawning of the unshakeable kingdom.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
The villains of Christmas illustration
How has our sin effected those around us?
How can our little “self kingdoms” keep us from being part of all that God has for us in His heavenly kingdom?
