Untitled Sermon

Who is the True King?

Who is real king”? Herod, but wise men: 2:2? This rile Herod!

But 1:1 Jesus “the son of David” only David referred to “the king”.

So who is the true king?

David the archetype king. Man after God’s own heart.

Not perfect, but best they had. And by covenant of God.

“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” 1 Samuel 7:16).

Then, 500 years on, Babylonians. Monarchy put to an end.

But not quenched. Not eradicated. Isaiah 11:

“In that day the root of Jesse [the father of David], who shall stand as a signal for the peoples - of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious”. Nb: “of him shall the nations inquire”! Magi.

Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land”

Jeremiah 33:15 “In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land”

Zechariah 3:8 “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch”

Zechariah 6:12 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD’”

Who is the King indeed! Who is the true King of the Jews?

Herod the roman interloper, or the one of David’s line?

Iduemean or Bethelehem. Micah 5:2 a “ruler who will shepherd my people Israel”

Rest Gospel this is theme: Trial

“are you the King of the Jews?” (27:11).

Question answered cross This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”(27:36).

Irony is Jewish leaders miss what Gentiles saw

Gentile centurion ‘the Son of God’ at the crucifixion, and Jesus commands his disciples to “make disciples of all nations” (28:19).

But what of that famous star? Numbers 24:17!

Balaam: “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel...”. Here we find a star and a sceptre, an omen and a king.

Psalms 72:8–11 “May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

Isaiah 60:1-3: 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 ... 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.

Here we have God and Frankincense. Royal and worship.

And also Myrrh for death. Cross at manger.

Here is the fulfilment of much. Converge on this child

Behold the true king. Oh pay homage!