Two Kings, One Choice

Bible Passage: Matthew 2:1–12

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Respected men of great wisdom and wealth left behind the comforts surely associated with their lifestyle.

The cities they had helped build, the institutions they presided over, the homes they had built for themselves.

Where money is, merchants will come.

Someone will help you fulfill the pursuits your heart desires.

They associated with nobles and people of power. They were given an audience with Herod. These were no ordinary men.

Yet, they left on a grueling 800 to 1,000 mile long journey, probably by camel caravan, headed to Jerusalem.

1. Herod's Fearful Heart

Matthew 2:1-4

He came to power by persuading Roman general Mark Antony to place an army under his command, besieged Jerusalem for five months, and once in control,

beheaded the last Jewish king and

assassinated 45 members of the Sanhedrin.

Herod was unspeakably cruel, inflicting heavy taxes, living in debauchery, and murdering those who crossed him. His oppressive rule intensified the Jewish longing for a Messiah

Lived out his final days as a bloodthirsty madman.

2. Herod's Deceptive Designs

Matthew 2:5-8

King Herod’s response was one of hostility and fear

Herod, consumed by fear and paranoia, saw the newborn King as a threat to his power. Pretending to be “Looking their way” he planned to manipulate and use the wise men to identify the child. Eliminating any competition was his specialty.

His actions represent a false kingship based on deceit rather than truth.

In contrast, Jesus’ kingship is characterized by honesty and transparency.

3. Magi's Joyful Journey

Matthew 2:9-11

Their journey from afar shows faith and recognition of Jesus' Kingship,

The Wise Men search that ended in a rural small town none of them had probably even heard of before when they started.

As the star they followed rested over the house it signalled the end of their journey, but revealed the beginnings of another’s journey that would change the world.

It must have seemed like the whole of heaven was declaring majesty of unprecedented scale. They rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Wrapped in Worship: Our Gifts for Jesus

1. Kneel Before the King

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then stepping into the working class, blue collar home of a young couple more acquainted with hardship and struggle than pomp and circumstance, they saw the young Child with his mother and the Bible says they fell down and worshipped Him!

It may not have been the surroundings they anticipated, but the young child they found was destined to become so much more than they could have predicted.

These stargazing fortune-tellers from a distant country had looked into the lying, murderous, baby killing eyes of a power obsessed earthly king and saw the future.

A future destitute of hope.

A future often led by those who exploit the masses

Who would build ever more efficient killing machines in a bid to consolidate their power.

From Roman crosses and Nazi gas chambers, to sanitized abortion clinics where more have died every year of the last 50 than Hitler averaged during the holocaust.

See the stark contrast between the earthly king's tyranny and the heavenly King's peace.

See the nature of true kingship as embodied in Jesus—a kingship defined by love, humility, and sacrifice, which stands in stark contrast to Herod's manipulative and violent rule.

The importance of recognizing the true King in our lives.

In a world filled with competing authorities and pressures, I challenge you to follow Jesus instead of giving in to fear, jealousy, or pride, much like Herod did.

Following Christ leads to joy and fulfillment, contrasting the emptiness of earthly pursuits.

The wise men were witnesses.

They knew what evil looked like.

And when they saw this King, even as a child, they saw something that gave them hope!

They fell down and worshipped Him.

2. Present Meaningful Gifts

Matthew 2:11b

Their worship involved opening their treasures.

Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

Symbolism of each gift:

Gold as a tribute to Jesus's kingship,

Frankincense as recognition of His divinity, and

Myrrh as a foreshadowing of His sacrificial death.

Consider how our own lives can be offered as gifts that reflect these attributes

serving in His kingdom,

living in holiness, and

sacrificing for others as Christ did for us.

3. Offer Consistent Devotion

Matthew 2:11c

This great act of giving by the Magi was an expression of understanding and devotion.

Think about what you bring to Jesus not only on special occasions but consistently.

Our best gifts involve sacrificing personal resources and time in serving His mission. In doing so, our lives become living testimonies of His grace and love.

When they looked into the young eyes than king of the Jews. He would become the King of Kings and would reign forever.

Teaching: The sermon teaches about the nature of true kingship as embodied in Jesus—a kingship defined by love, humility, and sacrifice, which stands in stark contrast to Herod's manipulative and violent rule.

Big Idea: In choosing between worldly kingships and the sovereignty of Christ, we must recognize that allegiance to Jesus leads to joy and hope, while alignment with earthly rulers often leads to despair and destruction.

choose the peace of Christ over the anxieties of the world.

4. Heavenly Guidance Given

Matthew 2:12

Conclude by discussing how God intervenes and warns the Magi not to return to Herod. Emphasize divine guidance versus human scheming. Illustrate how God’s protective hand is upon those who seek the true King, leading them away from harm. This encourages believers to trust in God’s guidance even when faced with worldly threats. Reinforce that following Christ may mean rejecting the paths expected or approved by the world, but it is the path to true peace and security.

Wrapped in Worship: Our Gifts for Jesus

Application: This passage encourages us to reflect on the gifts we offer to Jesus in our lives—our time, talents, and resources. By prioritizing what we bring to Him, we can deepen our faith and commitment, transforming our struggles into acts of worship.

Teaching: The sermon conveys that our gifts, whether material or spiritual, express our devotion to Christ and can serve as a testament to our faith and commitment to His mission.

How this passage could point to Christ: This narrative foreshadows the ultimate gift of Christ, who embodies the gifts brought by the Magi. Gold signifies His kingship, frankincense His divinity, and myrrh points to His sacrificial death, highlighting His role in God's redemptive plan.

Big Idea: We honor Christ not just through our words, but also through the intentional gifts we bring Him, which reflect our understanding of His worth and mission in our lives.