Stories Of Christmas: Lesson 3:

A. IN SEARCH OF THE KING. MATTHEW 2:1-2

1. Why were Mary and Joseph still living in Bethlehem?

- So their son could be near the Temple.

- So their son could identify with David. Bethlehem is the city of David and the angel predicted Jesus would sit on David’s throne.

- Rumors in Nazareth.

- The natural home of their ancestors (from the tribe of Judah).

2. How old was Jesus when the wise men arrived?

- The Greek word is not “baby” but “child,” paidion (2:11).

- The star appeared at His birth and it took a long time for wisemen to get to Jerusalem, i.e., over one year.

- Two years old, because Herod killed all babies “two years old and under” (2:12).

3. What was the star?

- Some think it was Halley’s comet, (August 25, 7 BC that was observed for 63 days.

- A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn suggested by Kepler that happened October 3, 7 BC.

- A comet, suggested by Origin.

- A supernatural appearance, i.e., “His star” (2:2).

4. Who were those who came to worship Jesus?

- Kings because of the Near East tradition of Kings sending gifts to another king when an heir to the throne was born.

- These were wisemen (Greek Magoi), i.e., men who studied the stars to interpret life on earth.

5. Why do we think there were three?

- Does not mention three persons.

- Probably many because, “Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem” (2:3).

- They were probably from Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran) or India. “From the East” (2:1).

- Because there were three gifts, people assume three wisemen.

B. EGYPT. MATTHEW 2:13-18

1. Why did Herod want to kill the baby Jesus?

- Herod was crowned by Rome. “King of the Jews.” Jesus was a threat.

- Satanic attempt to keep Jesus from the cross.

2. Why is the slaughter of babies not mentioned in secular history?

- Not all the babies in the entire nations.

- Probably included 20 babies or less.

3. Why did Mary and Joseph return to Nazareth?

- Herod was dead (Matt. 2:19).

- Jesus had to grow up in the Jewish homeland.

4. Why did Mary and Joseph not return to Bethlehem?

- Danger in Bethlehem, “But when he (Joseph) 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” (Matt. 2:22).

- The angel sent them away from Bethlehem.

- Jesus grew up in Nazareth to fulfill scriptures. “And 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” (Matt. 2:23).

C. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS

1. Why would Jesus have learned to read and write?

- The requirement of a King. Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes” (Deut. 17:18-19).

- Jesus was the Word (John 1:1, 14).

- The Rabbis read and interpreted the Scriptures. He went into the synagogue . . . and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16).

2. How would Jesus grow?

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

Wisdom – Intellectual growth

Stature – Physical growth

Favor with God – Spiritual growth

Favor with man – Successful growth

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.