Where Is He?

WHERE IS HE?

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

INTRODUCTION:

There were many who awaited the coming of a Messiah according to Daniel 9:21 - 26 (READ). Those waiting included shepherds in a field, Simeon, a just and devout man in Jerusalem (Luke 2:25), Anna, a prophetess, (Luke 2:36), wise men (from the east?), and numerous others.

I. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a new born.)

Luke 2:15 “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing [Where is He?] which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

What sent these shepherds into the town looking for a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger?

A. A Great Night --- Shepherds keeping watch.

Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that

the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather commenced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be someone to attend them to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is probable from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call “Christmas.” At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. Barnes Notes

B. A Great Light --- The Glory of God

Luke 2:9 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord

shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”

The words “Lord” and “God” are often used to denote “greatness” or “intensity.” Thus, “trees of God” mean great trees; “hills of God,” high or lofty hills, etc. So “the glory of the Lord” here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus. Barnes Notes

C. A Great Sight --- A multitude of the heavenly host. “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”

1. Angels in the sky flying.

Luke 2:13 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

2. A babe in a manger lying.

Luke 2:16 “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the

saying which was told them concerning this child.”

The shepherds found Him just as it was told them.

II. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a toddler.)

Matthew 2:1 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

A. Wise Men

1. (3097) ma--gov, — mag’-os; of foreign origin [Hebrew {7248} (Rab-

Mag)]; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication a

magician: — sorcerer, wise man.

2. Their number, nationality, and country are unknown. Dake

More than likely, this was a caravan equipped with their own soldiers to

protect them in their journey, especially considering their cargo.

3. Remember that the journey from Persia to Judea was not a quick one; the wise

men may have left as soon as logistics would allow. David Guzik

4. Worshipping

This does not mean that they had come to pay him religious homage, or to adore him They regarded him as the King of the Jews, but there is no evidence that they supposed that he was divine. They came to honor him as a Prince, or a king, not as God. The original word implies no more than this. It means to prostrate oneself before another; to fall down and pay homage to another. This was the mode in which homage was paid to earthly kings, and this they wished to pay to the new-born King of the Jews. Barnes Notes