Introduction

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. Isn't it a beautiful day that the Lord has made? A day filled with the promise of His love, the assurance of His grace, and the manifestation of His glory. As we gather here today, let us remember that we are not just in any place, but in the house of God, a holy sanctuary where His spirit dwells.

Today, we are going to open up the precious pages of God's Word, to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1 through 12. Let me read it for us: 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.'

This passage, my dear brothers and sisters, is a rich tapestry of divine revelation, royal intrigue, and humble worship. It speaks to us about the Manifestation of the Messiah, the Majesty of Jesus Revealed, and the Mission of the Magi.

As we prepare to unpack these truths, let's remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, 'Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.' And so it does, my friends. No matter how many times we read a passage, there is always something new to discover, something more to understand about our God and His love for us.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the gift of life, and for the privilege of gathering together as Your people. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word today. Help us to see Jesus in a new light, to understand His majesty, and to be inspired by the faithfulness of the Magi. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all truth and lead us closer to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let us turn our attention to the Manifestation of the Messiah...

Manifestation of the Messiah

Jesus, the Messiah, was not born in a grand palace but in the humble town of Bethlehem. The first people to recognize Him as the King of the Jews were not the religious leaders or the political rulers of the day, but rather a group of wise men from the East. These Magi, as they are often called, were guided by a star to the place where Jesus was. They came to worship Him, recognizing His divine nature and royal status. This is the first revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed One, the King of the Jews.

The birth of Jesus was a divine event, orchestrated by God Himself. It was not a random occurrence but a fulfillment of prophecy. The prophet Micah had foretold that out of Bethlehem would come a ruler who would shepherd God's people Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. His birth in Bethlehem was not a coincidence, but a divine appointment. It was God's way of revealing to the world that the promised Messiah had come.

The star that guided the Magi to Jesus was another sign of His divine nature. It was not a natural phenomenon, but a supernatural sign from God. The star appeared at the exact time of Jesus' birth and led the Magi directly to Him. This was not a general sign that could be interpreted in many ways, but a specific sign that pointed directly to Jesus. It was God's way of revealing to the world that Jesus was not just a baby, but the King of the Jews, the promised Messiah.

The response of the Magi to Jesus is also significant. They did not just acknowledge Him as the King of the Jews, they worshipped Him. They recognized His divine nature and responded appropriately. They brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, gifts that were fitting for a king. Their actions were a testimony to the world that Jesus was not just a human king, but a divine King, worthy of worship.

Finally, the reaction of King Herod and the people of Jerusalem to the news of Jesus' birth is also worth noting. They were disturbed, not rejoicing. Huh?! They did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, even though the signs were clear. They were looking for a political Messiah, a king who would free them from Roman rule. But Jesus was not that kind of Messiah. He came to free people from their sins, not from political oppression. His kingdom was not of this world, but of the world to come.

Transition. The manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah was a divine event, marked by supernatural signs and prophetic fulfillment. It was recognized by those who were open to God's revelation and missed by those who were not. It was a clear demonstration of God's love and grace, a gift to a world in need of a Savior.