Introduction

Good morning, beloved. We gather here today in the house of the Lord, not as strangers passing through, but as a family knit together by the love of our Savior. We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment. And it is in this spirit of unity and purpose that we turn our hearts and minds to the Word of God, the living testament of His love and grace for us.

Today, we will be turning our pages to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1 through 12. Let's read along together:

[Read passage]

We are presented here with a narrative that is familiar to many of us, especially during the Christmas season. Yet, let us not let familiarity rob us of the profound truths nestled within these verses.

In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." Indeed, the Word of God is not a stagnant pool, but a flowing river, ever fresh, ever new.

Today, we will look at three main points from this passage: Christ's Coming Challenges Conventions, Calling for a Committed Response, and Continual Quest for Discipleship.

Let us bow our heads in prayer as we begin:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we study this passage today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive the truths You have for us. Help us to see Your Word not as mere text on a page, but as the living, breathing testament of Your love for us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Christ's Coming Challenges Conventions

When we look at the birth of Jesus, we see a story that defies the norms of the world. He was not born in a palace, but in a humble stable. His birth was not announced to the powerful and influential, but to shepherds tending their flocks. The first to visit Him were not dignitaries, but wise men from the East. This was not the usual way a king was born, but then again, Jesus was not your usual king.

The Magi: They were likely astrologers and they saw a star that signified the birth of a king. They followed this star, not knowing where it would lead them. They were guided by faith, not by sight. This was not the conventional way to find a king, but then again, Jesus was not your conventional king.

King Herod: When he heard about the birth of a new king he was disturbed. He felt threatened by the prospect of a new king, even though this king was just a baby. He tried to trick the Magi into revealing the location of Jesus, so he could kill Him. This was not the usual response to the birth of a king, but then again, Jesus was not your usual king.

The gifts that the Magi brought to Jesus: They were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not the usual gifts for a baby, but then again, Jesus was not your usual baby. Gold was a gift fit for a king, frankincense was used in worship, signifying that Jesus was God, and myrrh was used for burial, foreshadowing Jesus' death.

The birth of Jesus was a challenge to the conventions of the world: It was a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. The world expected a king to be born in a palace, to be visited by dignitaries, and to be welcomed with joy. But Jesus was born in a stable, visited by shepherds and wise men, and His birth was met with fear and hostility.

The Magi defied the conventions of their time: They were guided by a star, not by maps or directions. They were not deterred by the long journey or the uncertainty of where the star would lead them. They were determined to find Jesus and to worship Him.

King Herod also defied conventions: Instead of welcoming the birth of a new king, he felt threatened. Instead of celebrating, he plotted to kill. His actions were a stark contrast to the joy and worship of the Magi.

The gifts of the Magi were also unconventional: They brought gifts that were symbolic, not practical. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were not the usual gifts for a baby. But they were fitting gifts for Jesus, who was not just a baby, but the King of Kings, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.

In all these ways: The coming of Christ challenged the conventions of the world. It was a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. It was a call to look beyond the surface, to see the deeper truths of God's love and grace. And it was a call to respond in faith, to follow the star, to seek Jesus, and to worship Him.

Calling for a Committed Response

As we continue to reflect on the narrative of Matthew 2:1-12, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a significant moment in history ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO