Matthew 2:1-12

in Hebrew OT — no 1 word directly translates to worship

a few words describe the action done when someone is worshiping

sacrifice or service with no thought of reward

prayer, fasting, service ministries at temple

displayed by bowing down, lay prostrate

NT Greek

προσκυνέω = ‘to prostrate oneself in worship, to bow down and worship, to worship.’ LN

heart posture evidenced by life decisions

whole Bible — worship

not just homage — showing honor through public display (eye-service for show)

playing church on Sunday mornings???

but evidenced with dedication of whole life

Old English — worship comes from the Old English

worth-ship = give worth to

what do you worship?

not just pay homage to

words/actions/feelings limited to one day a week

dedicate life

spend significant time, money, and affections

we all worship something or someone

what would you do? how far would you go?

not to earn favor or receive a reward (i.e. — get something)

but to show honor — worship

do you consider Jesus worthy of worship?

real question — evaluate life

pay homage with lips and occasionally attend on a Sunday

vs. dedicated life (Monday morning, Thursday afternoon, Friday night)

this morning, we will…

consider some dignitaries (important people)

who took at least 3 months out of their life

& opened their treasuries to worship Jesus

before Jesus did 1 miracle

before Jesus out of diapers

quest: why did they determine this child was worthy of worship?

Matthew 2 pew Bible # 960

The King of the Jews is born in Bethlehem

2:1-2

Matthew leads with what will take time for Herod to discern

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea

setting — 5 proofs context

how can Jesus of Nazareth be the Promised Messiah?

unlikely candidate

He wasn’t born to the right people

reason for genealogy (1:1-17)

and naming of Jesus by Joseph (1:18-25)

He wasn’t born in the right place

reason for this passage

not Nazareth, but Bethlehem

THIS narrative about Jesus

but facts aren’t just that Jesus was born in Bethlehem

cosmic happenings and foreign dignitaries are involved

Jesus was born “King of the Jews” in Bethlehem

cosmic happenings

ANE belief — special star = famous person born

prophesied by Balaam (donkey)

Numbers 24:17

explained by astronomy (search)

1. comet — none recorded

2. planetary alignment — Jupiter (royal planet) & Saturn

3. nova ( or supernova)

none suffice

rose (2:2) and “lead to house” (2:9)

don’t believe explained by astronomy

but miraculous provision

star appeared, moved, then stopped over house

wise men guided much like how Israel was guided in wilderness

cloud by day / fire by night

they were guided by God

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foreign dignitaries??? important people entrance w/king

star got attention of men from east

who are these strange men from the east?

wise men (Greek — magi)

OT times (Persia and Babylon) — priests and experts in mysteries

NT times more broad — astrology, dream inter, wisdom, magic

magi, like shepherds, not reputable witnesses of Messiah

μάγος used in Acts 13:6 of Bar-Jesus the “false prophet”

Acts 13:6 “When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician (magi), a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.”

Jews/Christians were not favorable to “magic”

why would Matthew highlight (not hide) these mysterious men from the east?

gives credibility that true

otherwise would have chosen more reputable witnesses (priests)

same with shepherds in Luke 2

Jesus was born King of the Jews

not recognized by Jews (primarily rejected)

starting with Herod the Great and all Jerusalem

but recognized/worshiped by gentile dignitaries

Matt 8:11

traveled all the way from Babylon/Persia (map)

large entourage (travel in style — bodyguards, servants, ride not walk)

Babylon — 800 miles

40 days one way

3 month trip total

no small matter

consider how significant wise men thought

but not everyone felt the same because…

Not everyone worships Jesus

2:3-8

not everyone celebrated Jesus then

Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him (2:3)

Herod I (aka Herod the Great)

insecure in kingship

Roman government put him in control

not recognized by Jews

not rightful heir to sit on throne

son of Antipater

Idumean — OT Edomite (descendant of Esau)

mother from Arabia

“half-Jew”

no ancestral right to the throne

this true King of the Jews was a threat to his throne

and all Jerusalem

portrayed as place of opposition and rejection for the true Messiah

less likely about individuals in Jerusalem at the time

prophecy

2:6 — last 8 words of OT quote are close to 2 Sam 5:2

God’s original call to David — lead as a shepherd

Micah 5:2

Ephrathah — name of district within tribe of Judah where Bethlehem located

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is right

nothing significant YET Messiah will be born here

settled prophecy in Jesus’ day by Jewish scholars

coming Davidic king

just like David was the unlikely choice as king

so to little Bethlehem is the unlikely choice to be hometown of the greater David (Messiah Jesus)

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Herod’s deception (2:7-8)

know it is deception because of what happens later

has baby boys slaughtered (2:16-18)

requires Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (2:13-15)

reason wise men went home another way (2:12)

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not everyone celebrates Jesus now

Christmas can be a celebration without Christ

time of year becomes about

wonder and magic

Santa Claus

work parties

presents

family

food

and Jesus is absent from the celebration

Yet some do worship Him

2:9-12

they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy (2:10b)

foreign dignitaries — giddy like little kids on Christmas morning

why?

When they saw the star (2:10a)

didn’t need star to show them to go to Bethlehem (learned in Herod’s palace)

(map) zoom

5-6 miles

more likely explained by 2:9

supernatural direction — the star indicated the actual house (not just village/town)

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Jesus older and in different place than birth???

house, child (2:11)

“manger” (Luke 2) doesn’t assume stable (Western tradition)

only “manger” used w/no mention of stable

but animals brought into bottom floor (living room)

Luke 2

quite possibly in a house, just not in the guest room (already full)

thus “manger” most comfortable place to lay Jesus

RT France asserts Jesus could still be in same “house” as when born

“There is therefore no reason why they should not be in the same ‘house’ when Matthew’s magi arrive.”

gifts

foreign dignitaries like Queen of Sheba in OT visiting King Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10)

Matthew 12:42

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gold, frankincense, myrrh like gifts she brought

gifts of wise men represent tribute made to a future king

not necessarily 3 wise men because of 3 gifts

significant gifts

gold

>$4,200 per ounce

frankincense (sacred from Young Living)

almost $50 for teaspoon

myrrh

almost $35 for teaspoon

gifts fit for a king

not what you expect

wise men significant enough to be welcomed into the king’s palace

then dignitaries leave palace for the little town of Bethlehem

then prostrate themselves in homage to a Child in quaint living room of ordinary house

not grand throne room of a palace

reversal of world value system

this King of the Jews is not for the respectable, royal, super righteous,

but for the humble

Matthew 18:1-4

yet some do worship Him

they fell down and worshiped him

magi regarded Jesus as worthy of worship

gentiles from far off

dignitaries with sketchy origins

were some of first (with shepherds) to recognize Jesus as King of the Jews

wise men “worshiped” with what they knew

paid homage

not 1 miracle

not 1 teaching

definitely no resurrection

no clue of deity

we know so much more about Jesus

not just homage to a new King

but to God the Son

5 OT proofs show we are worshiping the RIGHT King/Messiah/God

evaluate if He is worthy

if He is (and He is),

then consider your worship

Jesus is worthy of worship

substitutes leave you empty

don’t get hung up on your past (sin)

you can’t change that

He can through forgiveness (cross) penal substitutionary atonement

invitation to worship on His terms as He wants

worship service doesn’t necessarily mean you worship when you are here

be here when you are here

attend is one thing

engage is another

begins with salvation (GOSPEL)

continues with love and obedience

sharing Jesus at Christmas time

questions

favorite thing about Christmas?

best gift ever received?

Christian, what does your worship look like?

if it were translated to money

coins

dollars

benjis