Matthew 2:1-23 

Christ came in a very unusual manner, not in pomp and pageantry, but was born to a Jewish virgin, who was highly favored and honored of the Lord.

Everyone was not happy about His coming. There were mixed reactions to his entrance into this world.

Note:

If there is any international dignitary comes to our nation, there is always mixed emotions about it. Some are glad to see the person come and others had just as soon the visit had never taken place in the first place.

When we speak of Christ, we have reference to the dignitary of all dignitaries. Jesus is the creator of the earth and all that is in them, plus He is the ruler in the unseen spiritual realm that the believer is birth into at the time of salvation and conversion.

There were also mixed emotions and feelings in regard to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. As I said in the last message, some had said He would never have any say over them. They just don’t realize that the Father has committed all judgment unto the Son. One day every single soul will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account of his or her life.

In our text passage we see a negative reaction to the coming of Christ. He was not very thrilled about one being born who might rival him and be a Governor of His people (Matt. 2:6).

On the other hands the stars worked in co-operation with Him, the angels were elated and thrilled at His coming. As well, the shepherds and the wise men were very glad that Christ had come.

We are going to look in this message at one negative reaction to His coming, and at several favorable ones. Let’s look at the negative first, and then move on quickly to the positive ones.

NOTE THE VARIOUS REACTIONS:

Herod was not a full blooded Jew. He was half Jew and half Idumaean.

He was the only ruler in Palestine who keep the peace and brought order into disorder. He build the temple in Jerusalem and was a very generous man. He omitted taxes on one occasion to help the people. He melted down some of his own gold to buy corn for the people.

The flaws in his character was suspicion and jealousy. When he suspected anyone as a rival to his power, he would have the murdered. He murdered his wife Mariamne and her mother Alexander.

When Herod died, he went back to Jericho, a lovely city. He had the most distinguished citizens of Jerusalem arrested on trumped up charges and imprisoned. The moment he died he ordered that they all be killed.

First, he summoned the chief priests and the scribes to see if he could find out anything. He sought to find out where the King would be born from those men.

They quoted Micah 5:2 which definitely designates Bethlehem as the place. He very craftily said he wanted to worship the child–rather, he wanted to kill Jesus.

Herod felt that eventually this Christ-child would interfere with his life, his power or his influence, so it was his natural instinct to have the babe destroyed.

Herod sent for the wise men and pretended like he wanted to worship the child as well. He merely wanted to located Christ, so he might have him killed.

Herod was saturated with pretense. He was not genuine but rather hypocritical.

It was nothing for Herod to have people killed if he felt it could jeopardize his status, position and power.

The wise men visited and then God warned Joseph in a dream telling them to take Jesus to Egypt until the death of Herod, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Hosea 11:1).

Herod, when he saw the wise men betrayed him had a blood bath and slaughter of every young child in Bethlehem, two years old and under. What a heartless persons who caused mother to be in terror, screaming and crying in the middle of the night!

Herod Tried To Destroy Him

We do not have time to read all of the Luke 2 account in this message, but you recall how the angels appeared to them as they watched their sheep one night.

A. Shining Night

"The glory of the Lord shone round about them" (Luke 2:9).

The angel of the Lord appeared in the sky. In the Old Testament many scholars believe the Angel of the Lord appearances is that of the Lord Jesus Christ before the time He was pre-incarnate. This kind of thing does not happen just every night before bedtime!

C. A Soothing Night- "fear not"(Luke 2:10).

The suddenly were filled with fears due to the unusual experience in the shepherds field.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

1. Place of birth announced "Bethlehem"

2. Purpose of birth announced "Savior"

3. Person of birth announced "Christ the Lord"

The shepherds then became very thrilled about the things of God and went everywhere telling people about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Herod Tried To Destroy Him

The Shepherds Proclaimed Him

"The star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were 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 unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

When you get into God’s presence, you want to give. They gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

GOLD is a gift for a king.

MYRRH is a gift for one who is to die.
It was used to embalm the bodies of many people.

Wise men still seek Jesus.

A. Seek His Power (for spiritual stamina and grit)
B. Seek His Purposes (not our own agenda)
C. Seek His Precepts (that we might know what to do)

Herod Tried To Destroy Him

The Shepherds Proclaimed Him

The Wise Men Sought Him

When the heavenly host suddenly appeared in the sky after the Angel of the Lord has first appeared, there was a scurry of activity in the skies that night.

Luke 2:13-14 states," And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

The angels knew who Jesus was before He became incarnate. He was the darling and center of heavenly activity. The angels hovered about Him and cried, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty."

They knew that Christ had created them and He was before them.

To "adore" means "to revere, pay honor to, to regard with the utmost esteem, love, respect and honor.

We certainly should share the sentiments of the song that says, "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Some curse Him, some blaspheme or make light of Him, some deny He even exists, but let us who know Him give Him proper adoration and glory.

Herod Tried To Destroy Him

The Shepherds Proclaimed Him

The Wise Men Sought Him

Angels Adored Him

How did the wise men find the Lord Jesus? It pointed to him by settling down over where Jesus lay.

Matthew 2:9 informs us, "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was."

In Matthew 2:2 they called it "his star." I believe it was a special star, created for this one occasion, to point to where the Christ child was.

If the star could have spoken words it would probably have said, "Here is the one you are looking for just underneath me."

Herod Tried To Destroy Him

The Shepherds Proclaimed Him

The Wise Men Sought Him

Angels Adored Him

The Star Pointed To Him

In Matthew 2 it did not upset them at all when King Herod called them in wondering about the one who was to be a ruler in Judah.

They were engrossed in their religion and Temple worship. They were involved in their legal discussions over what could be permitted for people to do and what could not be allowed.

They were too busy in their own affairs, they did not have time for the Lord Jesus Christ. Child of God, the Lord is never too busy for you, so don’t get so involved in the things of this life, that you do not have time to fellowship with and serve the Lord Jesus.

You say, "I don’t have time." Drop something and make time for your sake, the church’s sake, your children and grandchildren’s sake.

Later on, many years later when they saw him as a threat, they became very interested in Him.

Let’s go the marriage at Cana of Galilee in John 2. The setting is a wedding feast. They are out of wine. Jesus’ mother went to Him and said, "They have no wine." She knew Christ could solve the problem.

Mary said to the servants at the feast– "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 12:5).

Six water pots were brought before Him. Jesus said, "Fill them with water" (Jn. 2:7). They filled them up with water.

The water blush in the face of its Creator, and turn into the fruit of the vine.

It pays to obey the Lord Jesus in every detail of your life.

A. Obey Him daily- not just on Sunday

B. Obey Him comprehensively- bring all in subject to Him.

C. Obey Him lovingly- because you love Him.

Some may reject him, others may want to destroy him, but let’s:

Do like the Shepherds Proclaimed Him

Do like The Wise Men Seek Him

Do like The Angels- Adore Him

Do like the Star-point to him

Do like Mary and obey him.

Make sure you reaction is right toward the first advent of
our Lord to this earth.  Praise him!  Obey Him! Worship Him!

SERMON FROM DR. TOM WALKER