Explores Jesus as the Worthy King, the journey of the Wise Men, and the joy found in worship and adoration.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a joyous moment to gather together in this house of the Lord. It is a time to pause from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, to be still, to be quiet, and to reflect upon the Word of God. This morning, we're going to take a closer look at a familiar passage from the Gospel of Matthew, a passage that tells us about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the visit of the wise men who came to pay Him homage.
Our focus today will be on Matthew 2:1-12. So, if you have your Bibles with you, please turn to this passage. It reads:
[Read passage]
The Gospel of Matthew begins with the birth of Jesus, the one who is born King of the Jews. This title is not just a casual reference or a mere formality. It is a proclamation of His divine authority and His rightful place as the King. It is a declaration that He is worthy of our adoration, our worship, and our allegiance. He is not just any king, but the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was not a random event: It was a fulfillment of prophecy, a divine plan set in motion centuries before. The chief priests and teachers of the law knew this. They knew the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, as prophesied by Micah. This was not just a geographical detail, but a significant marker of Jesus' kingship. Bethlehem, though small and seemingly insignificant, was chosen by God as the birthplace of His Son, the King. This shows us that God's ways are not our ways. He often uses the small, the weak, and the humble to display His power and glory.
The Magi, or wise men, recognized Jesus as the King: They saw His star and followed it, not knowing where it would lead them. They were not Jewish, they were not familiar with the prophecies, but they recognized the significance of the star and the birth of this King. They were willing to travel a great distance, to face uncertainty and potential danger, just to see this King and to worship Him. This shows us the universal appeal and significance of Jesus' kingship. He is not just the King of the Jews, but the King of all nations, all peoples, all races.
The gifts that the Magi presented were not random/ordinary gifts: They were gifts fit for a king. Gold, a symbol of kingship and wealth. Frankincense, a symbol of deity and used in worship. Myrrh, a symbol of suffering and death, foreshadowing Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. These gifts show us the multi-faceted nature of Jesus' kingship. He is not just a king, but a divine King, a suffering King, a sacrificial King. His kingship is not about power and authority, but about love, sacrifice, and redemption.
The reaction of Herod and all Jerusalem: This shows us the threat that Jesus' kingship posed to the earthly powers. Herod was disturbed, threatened by the birth of this King. He saw Jesus as a rival, a threat to his own power and authority. This shows us the contrast between earthly kingship and heavenly kingship. Earthly kingship is about power, control, and self-preservation. Heavenly kingship, as embodied by Jesus, is about love, service, and self-sacrifice.
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