Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 2:1–18 (NLT)

INTRODUCTION:

Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the Christmas story.

We may not be familiar with all of the characters in the Gospel accounts of the Birthday story of Jesus.

The bible presents all of the characters- the good and the bad, the godly and the evil.

This morning, we are going to look at the original grinch who tried to steal Christmas- King Herod.

We look at these characters in order to facilitate self-examination.

You and I need to ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and to do His work of conviction in our hearts.

Notice some facts about King Herod: The Original Grinch Who Tried to Steal Christmas.

I- Herod allowed the good news about the Messiah’s birth to become a threat instead of a blessing.

(Matthew 2:1-3)

A- The news about the birth of Jesus is to be a source of joy.

(Luke 2:8-14)

1- The news was to be a source of joy for all people everywhere.

a. God had sent the Savior of the world.

2- The Angels rejoiced over the news about the Savior’s birth!

3- The shepherds rejoiced over the news and went to see the Savior.

(Luke 2:15-17)

4- The wise men rejoiced over his birth.

(Matthew 2:10)

B- The good news of Jesus does not bring joy to everyone.

1- It does not bring joy to those who choose sin instead of salvation.

a. Herod desired his power over salvation.

(Matthew 2:3)

(1) If Herod were a true devotee of the Judaism of Scripture, he should have rejoiced greatly, but he does not.

Instead, he views the new child as a mortal threat.

(2) “Disturbed” (ἐταραχθη) is too weak a translation of his reaction; “in turmoil” or even “terrified” would be more accurate.

(3) “All Jerusalem” probably refers primarily to the religious leaders of Israel who dominated the city, many of whom were also personally installed by Herod.

b.

The real meaning and message of Christmas (the birth of the Savior) is not well-received by people who would rather follow their own darkened hearts.

1- Many in our contemporary world do their best to exclude the true meaning of Christmas from its celebration.

a.

They keep all of the trappings of Christmas:

“Holiday” music

gift-giving

parties & feasting

b.

They remove the things that reflect the reason for Christmas.

Nativity scenes

Christ-specific songs

the gospel message

c.

Why?

Because the Good News of Christ is convicting.

(John 1:11-12)

(John 3:19-20)

(Romans 1:18-22)

II- Herod accepted incomplete information about the Messiah’s birth.

(Matthew 2:3b-8)

A- Some people only want to hear and acknowledge part of the truth.

1- Herod limited his knowledge of the Messiah’s birth to the place it was to occur.

(Matthew 2:4)

a.

Notice that he did not ask for any additional information.

b.

He could have sought a fuller understanding.

Why did the Savior come?

What does this mean for me?

How can I have my life transformed by the Savior?

B- Seeking only second-hand knowledge of the Savior will not help you.

1- Herod sought only second-hand knowledge from religious teachers, when he should have been personally knowledgable about the coming Messiah.

a. Herod was born in the late 70s b.c.e.

into an aristocratic Idumean family that had converted to Judaism a half century earlier, in the reign of John Hyrcanus I.

Herod considered himself a Jew but also a Roman and a Hellenist and was considered a Jew by his contemporaries

He showed sensitivity to Jewish sensibilities in the reconstruction of the temple and avoided images in Judaea, though not in other places.

He showed sensitivity to Jewish sensibilities in the reconstruction of the temple and avoided images in Judaea, though not in other places.

b.

Herod demonstrated that he was basically ignorant of the Messianic teachings of the OT scriptures.

He had obviously not devoted himself to study of the OT scriptures.

2- Herod sought only second-hand knowledge from the Wise men, instead of seeking to find the savior for himself.

3- Seeking second-hand knowledge from teachers and preachers cannot take the place of a growing, personal walk with God and study of His Word.

(2 Timothy 2:15)

4- The faith and earnest seeking of other people will do you no good.

(John 3:5,7)

III- Herod acted inappropriately to the news of the Messiah’s birth.

(Matthew 2:9-18)

A- Choosing the pursuit of a lie, rather than acceptance of the truth.

(Matthew 2:8-12)

1- Herod attempted to deceive the wise men into helping him in his rebellion against God.

a. Herod’s desire was really to destroy the Christ child.

(1) He saw Jesus as a threat to his own position and power.

(2) Herod had killed rivals to his power:

His favorite wife (Mariamne)

four of his own sons (Aristobulus and Alexander, Antipater and another son)

the brother and mother of Mariamne (Aristobulus, Alexandra)

and Mariamne’s grandfather John Hyrcanus.

B- Continuing in perpetration of sin instead of following the pathway of repentance and faith.

(Matthew 2:13-18)

1- Perhaps the most well-known murder-spree of innocents in recorded history is recorded in Matthew 2:16.

2- What are you going to do with the Good News of the Savior, Jesus Christ?

a. Are you going to continue to choose to pursue Satan’s lie or accept the truth about yourself and the Savior?

(John 10:10)

b.

Are you going to choose to continue in your rebellion against God or will you choose the pathway of repentance and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ for you?

(John 1:11-12)

Conclusion:

Notes

2:3 He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him (ἐταραχθη και πασα Ἰεροσολυμα μετʼ αὐτου [etarachthē kai pāsa Ierosoluma met’ autou]).

Those familiar with the story of Herod the Great in Josephus can well understand the meaning of these words.

Herod in his rage over his family rivalries and jealousies put to death the two sons of Mariamne (Aristobulus and Alexander), Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son and once his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne (Aristobulus, Alexandra) and her grandfather John Hyrcanus.