Message
Matthew 2:2
Name Above All Names - King of the Jews
Through the Advent period we have been looking at the importance of the different names of Jesus. Specifically the different names that appear in the New Testament from before he was born to the time when He goes to Egypt.
The Word
Son of David
Son of Abraham
Son of the Most High
Jesus
Immanuel
Christ the Lord
They are names full of significance … power … relationship … hope … security.
Today we are going to look at a name that creates conflict.
We find the name in Matthew 2:1-12 (read)
So the situation is that the Magi have arrived in Jerusalem after a very long journey - which actually started in what we know as modern day Iran.
A star has risen which has indicated the birth of a special child … someone in the royal line.
What was it about the star that lead the Magi to conclude they needed to bring gifts and worship a baby in Judea … we don’t know.
How did this star move so it could be “followed”, and then stop … we don’t know.
In fact there is a lot about the situation we don’t know.
We think we know how many Magi there were.
Everyone sings the song “We three Kings”
But the text doesn’t actually say there were three.
There were three gifts.
But not necessarily three gift-givers.
But what we do know is that the Magi use a very specific name to describe the child they are looking for. King of the Jews
At first we might think, “Well that makes a lot of sense.”
The Magi have come to Judea … the traditional home and land of the Jews.
They know this because of the they know about the exiled Jews … and Daniel.
They know that the star is indicating the birth of royalty.
Male royalty is called a “king” … therefore they are looking for the “King of the Jews”.
It makes a lot of sense, but something very significant is going on here.
Verse 1 … this happened during the reign of KING Herod.
Verse 3 … KING Herod is disturbed by the news.
Why is Herod called King?
There is a Jewish Historian call Josephus who lived about 37-100AD.
One of the books he wrote is called “Jewish Wars”
I’m going to read some of it to you.
Antony (that is Mark Antony who is a general and politician and an ally of Julius Caesar) was moved to compassion at the change that had been made in Herod's affairs … on account of Herod's own virtue; so Antony resolved to make him king of the Jews (formerly Herod was known as tetrarch). … So he called the senate together … and gave a full account of the (situation as to why) … Herod should be king; so the (senate) all gave their votes for it.
Josephus Jewish Wars 14:4
Later we also read
Herod spoke to Caeser
"O Caesar, as I was made king of the Jews by Antony, so do I profess that I have used my royal authority in the best manner, and entirely for Antony’s advantage
I have laid aside my diadem (crown), and have come to you, having my hopes of safety in your virtue; and I desire that you will first consider how faithful a friend, I have been."
Caesar replied
“I will confirm the kingdom to you by decree,” and Caesar … put the diadem again about his head.
It also the opinion, both of Caesar and of his soldiers, that Herod's kingdom was too small so Caesar gave him … Gadara, Hippos, and Samaria; and moreover, of the maritime cities, Gaza, Anthedon, Joppa, and Strato's Tower.
Josephus Jewish Wars 20:1-3
When you read this bit of history you start to get a bit of a sense of what the politics of the situation. The protocol of the time should have resulted in the story reading as follows:-
The Magi came from the East to Jerusalem.
Upon meeting Herod they bowed down and worshipped and gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
We have found you “King of the Jews” we saw your star rise.
Herod was overjoyed with the acknowledgement, and all Jerusalem celebrated - for when Herod was happy no one needed to be afraid.
Giving someone else the title “King of the Jews” was a dangerous move.
It was a title that created conflict.
In fact the only people who used the title to describe Jesus are Gentiles.
The Magi use this title … they are Gentiles.
During his … so called … trial, Pilate says “Are you the king of the Jews?”. Pilate is Gentile.
When the Roman soldiers had finished beating him they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!”. They are Gentiles.
There was a group of Roman soldiers looking up at Him as He was dying on the cross. “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above the cross on which Jesus was crucified there was a sign. “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” It was a description by the Gentiles.
The Magi use the title as a title of respect.
All the other Gentiles use the title to mock, or to be disparaging.
It was seen to be a claim to false authority, or trying to usurp authority.
Everyone understood this, including the Jews.
Have a look at John 19:12-16
12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”
13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
Never would a Jewish person speaking about the coming of the King of the Jews.
If ever they spoke about the coming one … as King … they would always call Him “The King of Israel”.
What is the difference?
A lot.
Here is a map of the area in the first century.
(google a map of 1st century AD Judea and the surrounding nations)
Can you see a place called “Israel?” There isn’t such a place on the map.
For the Jews Israel is theological, political and spiritual place.
Israel exists when the coming Messiah … the Warrior who destroys all the other nations … comes with the power of God.
Every other nation.
Every other language group.
Every enemy.
All under the rule of Israel, with Jerusalem as the throne.
The King of Israel is one with power, authority, might … no-one stands against him.
That is why the people at the time call their King … the King of Israel.
He is the safe King.
When He is King no-one … absolutely no-one stands against Israel and wins.
That is why, when these Gentile Magi come into town, and start asking about the “King of the Jews” … Herod was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him.
Where is the King of the Jews?
That is not a safe question … and it is not a safe title.
It is a title which causes conflict.
It is a title which says, “I will identify with Jesus, even when it brings mockery and disparagement.”
It is a title which says, “I identify with the one who is lowly and humble.”
It is a title which says, “Even when God’s people are outnumbered, and enemy and almost insignificant, I still want to be part of His rule.”
Today is the first day of another New Year.
We are at church because we want to serve the King.
But what sort of King are you wanting to serve.
The safe King?
The one who is power and might and rule?
The one who doesn’t require sacrifice or going out of your way.
The one who is over all?
Certainly we serve such a King. Because, ultimately, he is the King who will rule.
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
Revelation 17:14
Jesus the King has come so that our eternal destiny is fully secured.
But this will not take place until the end of the last days.
In the meantime we live in a world that does not, and will not, and fights against, honouring the true King.
And that is going to bring challenges.
When Augustus was the ruler of the Roman Empire the citizens of the empire were expected to make an annual oath of loyalty. This is part of what they had to say:-
I swear by Zeus, Earth, Sun and all the gods and goddesses, and Augustus himself … that I will not spare my body not my soul not my life nor my children … and I will undergo every danger. I will be an enemy person plotting against Augustus … If I do anything against this oath I pray for destruction of myself, my body, my children, my family to the end of all my descendants.
The rulers after Augustus often had similar oaths.
Can you imagine how hard it would be in that environment to say that you follow King Jesus.
Well we don’t have to imagine, we know.
In Thessalonica, when Paul preached, this was the result.
5 The Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
Acts 17:5-7
One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
He will rule over Israel … over all.
But that is not today.
Today identifying with the King cause mockery and scorn.
Today the rule of the King is set aside for the rule of sin.
Today identifying with the King is uncomfortable, difficult and brings persecution.
Well, that is how it should be.
Which is the challenge we all need to face today.
Are we fully identifying with the King.
Not just the safe King.
The King with authority overall who will overcome every enemy and bring us full of peace into eternity.
We need that King. Jesus is that King. But He is not just that King.
Coming under His kingship is not just about being safe.
Are we identifying with Jesus as the King of the Jews.
The name that creates conflict.
The name that is dangerous.
The name that causes trouble all over the world.
When Jesus stood before Pilate the governor Pilate asked “Are you the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
Then Jesus went from there to the cross … the King who takes away the sin of the world.
Humble. Lowly. Obedient. In the most difficult of circumstances.
That is what our King is asking from us. Will you follow?
Prayer
