How Far Will You Go To Find Life?
Introduction. Life for the Jewish people in Roman control was not as they wanted it. They had been in exile and under foreign control for some time and it was no secret that they desired to have their sovereignty again. They spoke regularly of the messiah and believed that he would come and set them free from the subjugation of Rome. They eagerly awaited the coming of the one who would return to them and give them a life that they wanted back. Life, freedom to worship as they pleased and the be the people that they had been told they once were. They wanted life. They wanted life…. They waited and listened for one who would bring it…..
Video Chapter 2
Matt 2:1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ "
7Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
16Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18"A voice was heard in Ramah,Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children,Refusing to be comforted,Because they are no more."
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead." 21Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
NKJV
Transition
Later in Jesus Ministry he comments on Life and what is involved in having the life his father offered…
Luke 9:23-24 23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
What we see here is that point carried out to its fullest extreme. Lets look a little closer at the principal characters here in the story and see what it is God would have us learn.
Life, what about it?…For them
Herod wanted to keep it.
SO he Opposed God.
So in that he openly opposed God. Herod was out to get him from the start
•Herod lived close by.
•He was immediately concerned for himself (v.3) and wanted to maintain his throne.
•He was not looking for a messiah. He did not know the word and had to call for help.
•Herod looked for the child among the people
•Herod Brought a sword of great danger.
•Because he was proud and focused on politics and being in control of people he missed meeting God in this life and cursed those he met.
–When he finally met God it was not a good thing.
The Wise men gave it away…for a day.
The wise men bowed and paid homage then went on their way. They brought things of great value to most but based upon their apparent wealth they brought little more than the proper respect due a king born in their time.
They heard from God because they were looking for something supernatural to happen. They sought God and as a result they did encounter him. But it was a consequence of God’s will and desire to see his son honored rightly not to show favor toward these foreign visitors.
They were a part of the story but Jesus was apparently not of lasting value in their own life.
They saw God’s Messiah and then left the picture. We never hear from them again. They are in like a flash and Gone with the wind.
Joseph lost it day by day and them found it.
We already Know that Joseph was a righteous man, that he went with God and God went with Joseph.
Joseph (handler of the God child)
He was Obedient in the moment.
He was shrewd and alert. (departed by night) he was careful to protect the things of God.
V22 he stayed on the alert. After he returned from the south he was concerned about the leader and sought God. He trusted his instinct to rest before the lord and wait. Then a dream confirmed it and he went around.
Life, What About it?…For us
Some will want to Keep their lives
So they will oppose God in their lives
This should be obvious. It is not always though. There are many in this world who would like you to believe that they are interested in worshipping God but in reality they are only interested in securing their own future. They feign that they are a genuine follower of the way but in reality they are only a great pretender to the faith. Just as Herod was not a legitimate heir to the line of David so are some out their claiming to have a true faith but in reality are working against it. It is important to realize that Herod was the recognized leader in Israel by the religious leaders as well as the existing government. This does not make him legitimate. God is the one who names kings and those who oppose God will do anything that they can to Kill what God is doing in order to secure their own reign.
Some will give it away….for a Day.
Then continue on with their lives as if that is all. Will give a courteous nod and go on with their lives.
When an event brings them in direct contact with god they will acknowledge that it is him and even seek Him out
How many people acknowledge God in their lives and even in the grand scheme of things but fail to grasp the importance of getting the truth in their lives to the point that it has a lasting effect on them. So many people have a view of the “wise men” and give only what is expected of them. While what some do for God is great and even impressive as the wise guys were the things we do for God are of no consequence if they do not have a lasting impression in our lives. So many people do only what is expected culturally to show homage to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Some will loose it daily and live with Him always
For them the experience is one that will fulfill his will on earth in a complete fashion. Joseph was more than just a father. He was a man who placed his own reputation on the line in order to be obedient to God. He did more than pay Jesus the respect. He tossed aside his own concerns in order that God would be protected and magnified in life. Joseph though being a man of a royle line did not consider it something to be concerned with. Instead he followed the vice of God wherever it led. Even to Egypt and then to Nazareth. Following God took him to some strange places. But he went and through his obedience God blessed the world.
Life, What About it?…For you?
How far will you Go?
Are you opposed to God?
Maybe not openly, but do you make overtures of worship and then seek to remain in allegiance to yourself alone?
Are you only paying the proper respect?
You know. Are you ding what is expected? The I’m going to church because it is the right thing to do. I am hoping that my kids will get this religion thing? I give my money because it is expected, besides it is a tax break at the end of the year.
Or are you laying it all down…and going where he leads you?
Follow God, the cost is irrelevant. I will go where he leads me. No matter how foolish it seem, the cost to my reputation in the eyes of the friends. Weather it goes against my rights as a noble or causes me to live in poverty, exile or even if I have to be a bit strange in the eyes of others. I will be in God’s will and follow his ways.
One choice will ensure your death and misery in this life and the one to come. The other will give you a place of honor in this life and possibly a glance from God but gives no guarantee for eternity. The last one though guarantees that God will not only be intimately in your life today, it ensures that he will use you to bless the world through your life both for now and eternity. Which choice will you make?
Luke 9:23-24 23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
