Response to Christmas

Intro

Hope you had a great Christmas day and couple days after. I know me and my family certainly

enjoyed being together and spending time with other family. And it's always something special

when you see your kids Christmas morning looking and opening presents that were given to

them. Even before they open the gift you see this overjoyment in them from the excitement and

a gift given specifically to them.

Now that Christmas is passed, it seems like we often just go back to normal...start taking down

the Christmas decorations few days after (some of yall maybe did day after). But believe it or

not, even after Christmas and celebrating Jesus' birth...we are still called to respond in some

way to the truth of Christmas. And that is what we are taking a look at this morning if you will

turn with me to Matthew 2:1-12.

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Background

This is the finally of our series "The Coming Messiah". We started the beginning of December

looking at the ushering in of the announcement of Jesus through John the Baptist's conception

and birth; then we studied Jesus' genealogy and how that proclaimed Jesus' kingship and

blessing to the world; we looked at the meaning of the name Emmanuel and Jesus' divinity and

then Jesus' humanity and how He is our representative.

Now we look at a passage following Christ's birth and the responses we see from it.

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Matthew 2:1–12 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

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Pray

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Transition Into

Matthew wrote his account of the gospel for a jewish audience; we see that because he

references the OT and references over and over prophecies fulfilled by Christ.

But also note: a common theme/motif that we see at the very beginning of Matthew all the way

to the very end of Matthew is his inclusion and Christ’s work extending to Gentiles (to the

nations). We see it over and over and in this passage we see it again (along with a proper

response to Christ) with the magi/wise men

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Faults/Misnomers of “Wise Men”

They weren’t really “wise men”…

there weren’t just three (don’t know how many)

legend has them as kings…they weren’t kings

legend has given them names…we don’t have their names anywhere in Scripture

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Who the Magi Really Were

men of influence, astronomers (religious people of gentile nations)

ancient times astronomy view

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What Led Them to Jerusalem

Astrology view

God’s use of their astrological and cultural background to communicate with them does not

imply his endorsement of astrology, but indicates his care in meeting individuals where they are.

God’s drawing of them and how we should share the gospel and disciple (meeting individuals

where they are)

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Prophecies of the Star/Light and the Nations Coming

Numbers 24:17–19 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!””

Isaiah 60:1–6 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.”

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Who Jesus Is - Fulfillment of Prophecies (Magi’s View)

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Who Jesus Is - Prophecy Fulfillment (Matthew’s Inclusion Further in narrative)

King Sit on David’s Throne

Born in Bethlehem

Again from all these prophecies: God keeps His promises, and that should give us assurance

when life is hard and we wonder if God seems to even know what is going or cares. He does

know and He does care…and we see that in the whole story of Christ.

Magi knew something was different too; and they pursued what they knew to be ruler above all.

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Those Who Seek Christ Worship Him

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Proper Response to Jesus

Sought Jesus wholeheartedly…and wise men and women still do

Israel knew precisely where the King of the Jews would be born, but it was the Gentiles who

worshiped him first

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Herod - Contrast to Magi

Matthew gives contrast to Herod the Great and the Magi, yet Matthew records their interaction

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We Know When Jesus was Born Because of Dates We Know of Herod the Great

He called them secretly and found out from them exactly (“the exact date,” JB) when the star

made its appearance. He does not say why he wanted this information, but to know the time

when the star appeared would obviously give an indication of the age of this new King of the

Jews.

It is perhaps surprising that he did not send someone with the Magi. But soldiers would have

been inappropriate, and he may have felt that anyone linked to him would raise problems for

the search. He had no reason for thinking that the Magi would not report back.

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Who Herod Is

Edomite…they didn’t like God

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His Rule/Jealousy

Contrast of kingship (between Herod and Christ)

Herod’s kingship was given to him by Rome, and based on aggression and cruelty

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Herod’s Pride and Hatred Towards Jesus (First Opposition Against Jesus)

See Herod was more interested in saving his throne than in saving his soul!

Herod was a very jealous ruler and of “his” supposed throne

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Jealousy/Pride Leads People to be Deceiving and Manipulative

Herod’s response to Jesus was hatred and fear; even though it seemed Herod wanted to

“worship” the new king of the Jews…but in reality he sought to get rid of Jesus like we read

starting in v.13.

Herod’s hatred of anything and anyone threatened his self-centeredness (how often we live this

way when we are all about ourselves).

We see here that in contrast response that those who seek Jesus Worship Him…

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Those Who Oppose Christ Rebel Against Him

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Application Response

Fear blinds us.

Hatred of anything that challenges control of our own lives (like Herod lusting for power, but for

us it might not be power over people but certainly power of self-seeking and what we

want….even if that is in rebellion against God).

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Chief Priests/Scribes

And then we have this third group of people: the Chief Priests (these were the religious leaders,

politicians, who craved control and power) and Scribes (these were your pharisees, those who

held the law and were lawyers).

What seems to be this middle ground people in comparison to the Magi and Herod.

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Who Chief Priests & Scribes Were

Note: in this passage it is only a select few, not the whole Sanhedrin; probably those Herod

could control more easily (“of the people”…those certain who had the people’s ear…)

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How They Came to Hear This News

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Their Knowledge and Understanding

They knew the Scriptures and had no problem in answering Herod

They knew all the answers and probably the signs…but did they go to greet Jesus or see Him.

They could point to the savior and even quoted Scripture, but they did not obey. No, they did

nothing.

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They Were Indifferent

They did nothing, because they were indifferent towards God’s law when it didn’t suit them.

Indifferent and apathetic…not really caring which lead to their lack of action. A complacency of

Christ and ignoring God’s Word which clearly pointed to Jesus. And what we see those who

ignore Christ…

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Those Who Ignore Christ Eventually Stand Against Him

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Apathy Hardened

Their apathy hardened into outright opposition to Jesus as His ministry developed, and ended

with wanting Him dead.

**This is a warning that knowledge is no substitute for obedience.

God doesn't desire for us to be indifferent towards Him and His will for us as

Christians….actually God is very clear what apathy is and leads to. Apathy is like luke-warm

water…disgusting and useless when comparing the uses of very hot water and the refreshing of

cold water. Apathy leads to hardness and disdain for God’s kingdom and His work. In these guys

lives and in ours: indifference and apathy develop into outright opposition to God and His will**.

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Focus Back On the Magi’s Journey to Jesus

Worship of Jesus.

They were overjoyed beyond measure”; seeing child Jesus was the culmination of their journey.

Only appropriate response: falling to their knees, they worshiped Him**

In presence of someone far superior

Only bow to someone bc of this

Customary to bring gifts when approaching a superior

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Gifts Given to Jesus

Further recognizing Jesus’ royalty and is king; OT passages speak of these gifts being given

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Matthew Speaking to the Gifts

Matthew doesn’t speak to the gifts have specific symbolic meaning as these gifts are valuable

and often given to anyone of royalty; but these gifts do foreshadow who Jesus is and what HE

came to do

Gold is the gift fit for a king—and the king in baby clothes was there. Frankincense was in

constant use by the priests in the temple, and the ultimate priest, the one who was to make final

reconciliation between God and humankind, lay before them. Myrrh was used to bury the

dead. The man born to be king was the man born to die. In those three gifts we see who he is,

what he came to do, and what it cost him. And, like the wise men, we bow in wonder before a

God who could love us that much.

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Title “King of Jews”

Interesting how the title “King of Jews” does not reoccur in Matthew’s gospel until Jesus’

crucifixion.

Everything leads up to and points to Christ's reason for coming: He came to save people from

their sins...their rebellion against Him...our apathy, our indifference...

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Kingship

King above all.

Where Herod held jealousy to his kingship thru physical power and bitter repressive measures…

Jesus showed His kingship by self-sacrifice for others.

Jesus is the true king who shepherds His people through loving sacrifice, not tyrannical force.

God will work His will despite the opposition of sinful people*

Jesus is king of all people and He is the great Shepherd. where all previous kings of Israel failed

in shepherding, the great shepherd will lead His people to Himself