At the Name of Jesus

Introduction

When the name of Jesus is mentioned what is your response?

In this passage we will see two contrasting responses to the coming of the savior. These same responses are happening all over the world today at the mention of the name of Jesus.

Every individual must respond to Jesus, the question is only how will you respond?

Notice the vast difference in how the wise men from the east responded to Jesus arrival on earth compared with the response of King Herod.

Their Emotions (Vs. 3 & Vs. 10)

The wise men rejoiced with exceeding great joy when they saw the star that was to be a sign of the savior’s coming.

Their response was one of excitement because they understood who Jesus was and what His coming into the world would mean. They were filled with joy that the promised savior had arrived!

They had received what had been told to them concerning the savior and were anxious to find Him so that they might have the opportunity to worship Him.

These emotional responses were all due to the perspective that Herod and the wise men held.

In contrast, when King Herod heard the news of Jesus arrival upon earth, he was “troubled”. Herod was deeply concerned that the promised “King of the Jews” had come.

When King Herod heard the news of Jesus arrival upon earth, he was troubled. Herod was deeply concerned that the promised “King of the Jews” had come.

Herod was fearful of the impact this coming King would have upon “his life” and “his kingdom”.

The same emotions are evoked today at the mere mention of the name of Jesus. Those who have received Him rejoice with great joy, while those who have rejected Him are often deeply troubled when they hear His name.

When you hear the name of Jesus are you troubled? Are you concerned as to what his coming means for you? Have you wondered why Jesus came and what His coming means to you personally?

These emotional responses were all due to the perspective that Herod and the wise men held.

Their response was one of excitement because they understood who Jesus was and what His coming into the world would mean. They were filled with joy that the promised savior had arrived!

They had received what had been told to them concerning the savior and were anxious to find Him so that they might have the opportunity to worship Him.

These emotional responses were all due to the perspective that Herod and the wise men held.

Their Perspective

The wise men see Jesus as God come to earth as a man to save mankind, while Herod sees Jesus as an influential leader who poses a threat to him and to his control over his kingdom.

The wise men refer to Jesus as the King of the Jews and their desire to worship Him is evidence that they believed that He was God.

These men perceive Jesus to be God come in the form of man and the fulfilment of prophecy and they are ready and willing to submit to Him and to bow before Him in worshipful submission.

These men in their wisdom believed God and acted in faith to go to Jesus with a desire to worship Him.

Herod viewed the coming of Jesus into the world from and entirely different perspective. Instead of perceiving Jesus as a King worthy of worship he viewed Jesus as a threat to himself and to his authoritarian rule over the kingdom.

The same perspectives are present in our world today in reference to Jesus. Those who have received Him recognize Him as God’s greatest gift to mankind and as one worthy of our worshipful submission. Those who have rejected Jesus often do so for the same reasons that Herod rejected Him.

Many are unwilling to come to Jesus because they perceive Jesus to be a threat to their way of life. Many reject Jesus because they are unwilling to relinquish their own will to the will of God. They want to remain in control just as Herod was determined to do.

The reality is that receiving Jesus Christ will indeed change your life, but it will be far better. The truth is if you come to Christ you will have to surrender your will and submit to the will of God, but again you will find it far better!

Their Response ( Vs. 11-12 & Vs. 16-19a)

The wise men diligently sought the savior and when they had found him they showered him with praise and adoration. They bowed before Him in humble submission and worshipped.

These men were prominent and wealthy yet now they bow before an infant Jesus. What sincere faith they must have possessed!

Herod feigns a desire to worship Jesus but his true intent is revealed when he sends forces to slaughter the infants of Bethlehem.

Herod attempts to kill the infant Jesus to remove the perceived threat. He had not only rejected Jesus himself, his desire was that Jesus would be totally eliminated.

The same response will happen all over our world and right here in this building today. Some will joyfully receive the savior and will bow before Him in humble submission. Others will reject the savior and attempt to erase what they have heard from their minds.

There is coming a day in the future when - every knee shall bow

There will come a day when there will be left no doubt that Jesus Christ is Lord but on that day it will be too late to receive Him.

Won’t you receive him today?

Herod ultimately died and the savior lived. The wise men would also see death but would know eternal life because of their faith in Jesus.