This sermon encourages Christians to live as missionaries, harnessing their divine gifts to spread God's love and truth, as inspired by Matthew 2:1-9.
Good morning, beloved congregation. I stand before you today with a heart brimming with joy, and a message burning with divine truth. We gather here, not as strangers, not as mere attendees, but as a family united by our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we stand at the threshold of an enlightening discourse, a discourse that will draw us closer to the heart of God and His magnificent plan for us.
Our focus today is on the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. It's a passage that many of us have read and heard countless times, particularly around Christmas season. Yet, the depth of God's word is such that no matter how many times we read it, there is always something new, something profound to discover.
Let's read together, Matthew 2:1-9: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: ‘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.’' Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 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.' 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."
This passage speaks of a gift from heaven, a gift that was honored by the wise men, and a gift that we too have within us. It's a gift that we are called to harness, a gift that we are called to use for the glory of God and the benefit of His people.
The Magi, in their wisdom, recognized this gift. They saw the star, they followed it, and they found the child Jesus. They did not keep this discovery to themselves. Instead, they shared it with others. They told Herod about the child, and they spread the news of His birth. In doing so, they became the first missionaries, the first bearers of the Good News.
The star that guided the Magi is a symbol of this divine gift. It is a beacon of light in the darkness, a guide for those who are lost, a sign of hope for those who are in despair. This star is a reminder of God's presence, His guidance, and His love. It is a reminder that we are not alone, that we are not forgotten, that we are not abandoned. It is a reminder that we are loved, cherished, and valued by God.
The birth of Jesus is another symbol of this divine gift. It is a testament of God's love for us, His desire to be with us, His willingness to become one of us. Jesus, the Son of God, became a man, lived among us, suffered with us, and died for us. He did this not out of obligation, but out of love because He wanted to.
Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth is a stark contrast to that of the Magi. While the Magi rejoiced and worshipped, Herod was disturbed and threatened. He saw the birth of Jesus, the blessed gift of God, not as something to be embraced, but as something to be feared. This is a reminder to us that not everyone will understand or appreciate the gift that we have. Not everyone will see the beauty and the value of the gift that God has given us. But that should not deter us from using it, from sharing it, from celebrating it.
The chief priests and the teachers of the law, who knew the Scriptures and who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the people, also missed the significance of the gift. They knew where the Messiah was to be born due to the prophecies, but they did not recognize their fulfillment. They had the knowledge, but they lacked the faith. This is a warning to us that knowledge alone is not enough. We need faith. We need to believe in the gift, to trust in the Giver, to rely on His promises.
The Magi’s actions reveal a deep reverence and respect for the divine, a willingness to honor the Giver of all good things ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
