Reactions To The Birth Of Jesus

REACTIONS TO THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Matthew 2:1-12

Introduction:

As Christians, many times we are discouraged from the world’s beliefs and actions towards God’s offer of salvation. Here in these verses we will see how men acted towards the birth of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 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.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘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.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Some say…

1. Leave me alone.

Herod wanted Jesus to leave him alone. Herod was suspicious of anyone who might interfere with his life. Herod’s reaction to Jesus was leave me alone so I can do as I please.

Luke 9:23 (NIV)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

There are still many today that do not want Jesus in their life. They want to do their own thing and do not want to be accountable to God or anyone else.

Some say…

2. I’m too busy.

This was the reaction of the Chief Priests and Scribes. They were more worried about their religious activities. When Herod asked them where Christ was to be born, they quoted Micah 5:2 indicating that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but they were too busy to go and see. There are many today that are just too busy doing other things to come to Jesus.

Christians, we must not become so busy that we forget the purpose of Christmas. We know that He was born of a virgin. We know that He is the Messiah. We know that through Jesus we can be saved. Although we know all of these things, if we are too busy to share them with a lost and dying world; we have forgotten our true purpose.

Some say…

3. Let us worship the King.

This was the reaction of the wise men. The wise men brought Jesus 3 gifts.

They brought Him…

? Gold.

Gold is the gift of Kings. This was a very fitting gift for the King of kings.

They brought Him…

? Frankincense.

Frankincense is the gift for priest. Jesus is our High Priest.

They brought Him…

? Myrrh.

Myrrh was a gift for one who was to die. Christ was born to die for sins.

Conclusion:

Everyone who hears of Jesus Christ reacts in 1of 3 ways:

? Hostility.

? Indifference.

? Commitment.

There are many Herods, priests, and scribes out there; but wise men have never been numerous.