Crown Him with many crowns.
That's what the song we just sang together.
! And this morning as we open up our scriptures to Matthew chapter 2,
! That's going to be kind of the theme of our time together is Christ the King.
Worship the King.
Jesus as the Anointed One, the anticipated and promised King.
Here He comes.
I don't know if you've been following any of the news this past week,
but with the fall of Syria and the fall of Assad and his regime,
and now the Jews who are now coming into the Golan Heights
and now occupying this space that was kind of the demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria,
now there is this anticipation that is this growing anticipation of a coming King.
I was just watching some documentaries this past week,
and a rabbi who is speaking about some prophecies that were captured in the Mishnah.
The Mishnah, which was an oral tradition that was written down about 2000 years ago.
And in the Mishnah, as this rabbi was indicating, there was a promise, a prophecy,
in this Mishnah of the Messiah and his coming that would be aligned with the taking over of the northern part of Israel
and the pulling together of Israel in its unified way.
This growing sense of a coming Messiah harkens back to the same kind of enthusiasm and energy
that was present in the first century around the coming of the Messiah.
And of course, that Messiah did come.
His name was Jesus Christ, and we're going to learn about Him today.
And here we are as believers, looking at the world around us,
seeing some things unfold in the Scriptures that would make us wonder
if the second coming is right around the corner.
And here are Jews who, because of what's unfolding now in the Middle East,
and President Netanyahu, who is communicating not only to the people of Israel,
but to the people of the Middle East, this positive message of the fact that in his mind at least,
what is unfolding is the unifying of peace in that Middle Eastern region.
Which, by the way, is only possible when the Messiah comes.
We are on the cusp, really, of amazing days.
And the question that comes to us from this passage
perhaps brings that much more force to us,
and that is, how will we respond to the King?
Will you receive the King?
Matthew, who was an apostle of Jesus Christ,
inspired by the Holy Spirit,
is writing this gospel account.
The gospel of Matthew that we're studying
through the past several weeks and moving on to next week as well.
We refer to this as the gospel of Matthew
because it is preeminently about the life and ministry of Jesus.
This good news of what Jesus came to do
in terms of leading us to him
and making it possible through faith in Christ
to be forgiven of sin.
Matthew will demonstrate from the start
that his goal is to demonstrate
that Jesus is really the focal point of the message.
That Jesus as Savior,
but also, and more importantly,
Jesus as Christ, Messiah,
anointed one, and King.
The prominent feature of this genealogy
that begins this gospel record
captured for us in the first 17 verses
draws attention to that very fact.
It begins in verse 1 this way,
the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Then in verse 16,
we find Joseph,
the husband of Mary,
of whom Jesus was born,
who is called the Christ.
Then in verse 17,
speaking of the generations that existed,
the generations from Abram to David
were 14 generations.
From David to the deportation to Babylon,
14 generations.
From the deportation of Babylon to Christ,
14 generations.
Christ being preeminent,
the anointed one,
the King.
And what is interesting,
then, when we turn the page
to verse 18,
we see this interesting account
about how Jesus,
in his birth,
notice in verse 18,
now the birth of Jesus Christ
took place this way.
And yet,
as you read the account
from verses 18
to the end of the chapter,
there's almost nothing
about the birth itself.
The kind of human features
that we would want to know.
Those kinds of things
that we get from Luke,
the gospel of Luke,
the account that's there.
Of how Joseph and Mary
made their way to Bethlehem.
Of how Mary was great with child.
And she delivered.
And she wrapped this baby
in swaddling clothes.
She laid him in a manger.
Those are the kinds of details
we would expect
in a birthing account.
But none of that
is present in Matthew.
Why?
Because Matthew wants to draw attention
to Christ the King.
Jesus as the anointed one.
Jesus as the preeminent one.
Jesus as the promised king.
So the focus
of Matthew's narrative
is squarely
and supremely
on Jesus Christ.
Son of David.
Worthy of worship.
And all of this raises
the question for us this morning
that will come into view
is how will we respond
to the king?
Jesus is king.
How will we respond
to the king?
What will be the way
that you respond
and what will be the results
of this message
on your heart?
As we read through this passage,
we're going to find ourselves
in one of six groups.
These responses
that we'll see
as we work our way
through this passage today.
And I think
these six responses
kind of help
to encompass
the breadth
of potential responses
to Christ as king.
And we're going to just
walk through them
together this morning.
Beginning with
Joseph and Mary.
Joseph and Mary's response
that begins there
in chapter 1,
verse 18.
Moving through
chapter 2,
verse 1.
And we see
that Joseph and Mary
receive the king obediently.
Joseph and Mary
receive the king obediently.
obediently.
That really is
and must be
the first response
of every true follower
of Christ.
Every true subject
of Christ
is to receive
the king
humbly
and obediently.
we find in chapter 2,
verse 1,
it begins this way,
now after Jesus
was born in Bethlehem
of Judea
in the days of
Herod the king.
And our scene,
it changes drastically
from chapter 2,
from chapter 1
to chapter 2.
And if you are familiar
with this story,
you might be asking
yourself the question,
what in the world
just happened here?
We were in Nazareth.
Joseph received this word
from an angel
and now what has taken place?
How in the world
did we make our way
to Bethlehem?
And there's much
that happens
in transition,
but I just want to draw
your attention
to a few things,
both as a reminder
and as helping
to fill in
some of the white spaces
so that we can understand
the significance
of our response
to the king
that must align
with the hearts
of Joseph and Mary
and a desire to yield
and be obedient
to the king.
Last week,
we saw in verse 19
of chapter 1
that the character
of Joseph
that's described,
it says here
that Joseph,
being a just man
and unwilling
to put Mary to shame,
resolved to divorce
her quietly.
In his heart,
there was a desire
to align himself
with the patterns
that he saw
in the line,
the law,
to be consistent
with what he knew
about who God was
and at the same time
to echo God's heart.
That heart that we see
throughout the Old Testament,
this heart of mercy,
this heart of compassion,
this is the heart
that we see
and Joseph,
he wants to be obedient
to God's law,
but he wants to show
the compassion
of God's heart.
So what is he to do?
He's conflicted
and so an angel
shows up
to Joseph
and gives him
a word,
a word of confidence,
take Mary
to be your wife
and name
the child
Jesus
because he's going
to save his people
from their sins.
And then we find
Joseph's response there
in verses 24 and 25.
Notice,
when Joseph woke
from his sleep,
he did
as the angel
of the Lord
commanded him.
He took his wife.
He knew her not
until she had given birth
to a son
and he called
his name Jesus.
Joseph
obeyed
and yielded
without hesitation.
Joseph
obeyed
immediately.
He obeyed
completely.
He obeyed
uprightly
and justly.
There was this
consistent pattern
of his heart
to do what he was told.
He followed through.
Joseph was a man
who's obedient
and his obedience
to God
would mark
his life
as the adopted
father
of Jesus Christ.
But several months earlier,
Mary would also show
her compliant heart
as the angel Gabriel
will come to her
to explain the events
that will shortly
transpire for her.
We find that account
in Luke chapter 1.
I just want to briefly
draw your attention
to it.
Luke chapter 1
verses 30 to 33.
It says,
the angel said to her,
this is Gabriel,
do not be afraid,
Mary,
for you have found
favor with God.
And behold,
you will conceive
in your womb
and bear a son.
You shall call
his name Jesus.
He will be great,
will be called
the Son of the Most High
and the Lord God
will give him
the throne
of his father David
and he will reign
over the house
of Jacob forever
and of his kingdom
there will be no end.
And I'm sure Mary
as she's wondering,
how in the world
is this going to happen?
She actually asks
that question
in the next verse.
Mary says to the angel,
how will this be
since I am a virgin?
And the angel answers her,
the Holy Spirit
will come upon you.
The power of the Most High
will overshadow you.
Therefore,
the child to be born
will be called
holy,
the Son of God.
And then in verse 38,
one of my favorites
in the Gospel of Luke
says,
And Mary said,
Behold,
I am the servant
of the Lord.
Let it be to me
according to your word
and the angel
departed from her.
I am a servant
of the Lord.
I am God's subject.
I belong to Him.
And I will do
what God has told me to do.
My heart will yield.
I will be submissive.
I recognize Him as King.
He is in charge.
In the heart
of every true subject
of the King
has a compliant heart
like Joseph
and Mary
desire not only
to know
what the Word of God says,
but to follow through
and to do it
without hesitation.
I will do
what God has said.
I am a servant
of the Lord.
Let it be to me
according to your word.
And that is the testimony
of the obedient hearts,
the compliant hearts
of Mary and Joseph
that we find
in our account.
And that's how they
find their way
and make their way
to Bethlehem.
So when we come
to Matthew
chapter 2
verse 1,
that's what we see.
Jesus was born
in Bethlehem
of Judea.
How?
How was he
born there?
Well, he was born there
because there was
a decree,
those of you who know,
in Luke chapter 2,
a decree that went out
by Caesar Augustus
that all the world
would be registered.
And guess what?
Compliant hearts do.
Compliant hearts obey.
And when compliant hearts
obey,
compliant hearts
find themselves
exactly
where God
wants them to be.
And so they find
themselves
in Bethlehem,
exactly where
the scriptures
told them
to be.
But all of the events
that got them there
happened because
of obedience,
submission,
compliance,
recognizing God
as king.
He is king today.
He wasn't just king
2,000 years ago.
Jesus is king.
He's Christ,
the king.
Do we have hearts
that are willing
to submit,
comply,
and surrender
to God
as king,
subjects of him?
We make our way
then to this
second group
of individuals
who now
show up
in Bethlehem,
excuse me,
show up in Jerusalem.
These wise men
we're going to begin
to see in verses
1 and 2
and we're going to
find that these
wise men
seek the king
eagerly.
You might
use the word
earnestly.
You might use
the word
expectantly.
Whatever word
you want to put
there is up to you
but there is
this eager
anticipation,
expectancy
of the king
who is there.
Notice
it says
at the end
of verse 1,
behold wise men
from the east
came to Jerusalem
saying,
where is he
who has been
born king of the Jews?
For we saw
his star
when it rose
and have come
to worship him.
Now arriving
on the scene
is this group
of wise men
and by the way
that title
should sound
familiar to us
having just
finished a study
in Daniel.
There are only
two places
in the Old
Testament
where we find
reference to
wise men.
The first
is in the
Exodus
and wise men
that were present
in Egypt
there with Moses
and then
in Babylon
and Persia
wise men
were there
during the exile.
These wise men
are a title
that comes to us
and it serves
to describe
this group
of individuals
who had a
priestly function
and served
as representatives
within the
context of
authority
in an empire.
Babylon
and Persia
being one
of the prominent
places
that we find them.
This group
was known
for their attention
to astrological
kinds of things
and so
they already
have kind of
an awareness
of the stars
and of constellations
and those kinds
of things
so their hearts
are already
kind of fascinated
by that kind
of situation.
These are
those individuals
who in
media in Persia
already had
a sensitivity
to the fact
that built
in to
their understanding
was that when
new kind of
stars and
constellations
would happen
it would designate
in their minds
at least
the presence
of a new king.
But we also
get hints
from the Old
Testament
that there
was a
considerable
group
of exiles
that remained
back in Babylon
and back
in Persia
when those
exiles
the 50,000
exiles
that came
in the first
return
came to
Jerusalem.
In that
community
that remained
there was a
group of Jews
that had copies
of the law.
We find
an example
of this
in Ezra
chapter 7
verse 10
where Ezra
will
80 years
later
bring another
group of
Jews
back from
Babylon
to Jerusalem
and we find
this about him
in Ezra
7.10
it says
Ezra was not
only
a scribe
familiar with
the scriptures
but it indicates
that he knew
the scriptures
well
and he knew
them in
totality.
Those scriptures
those copies
of the scriptures
that were present
there in Babylon
and accessible
to this
community
of exiles
who remained
behind.
We find
that Ezra
in his
return to
Jerusalem
will send
back word
to Babylon
and will ask
for several
individuals
who can trace
their lineage
back to Levi
so they can
actually serve
as priests
they can
serve as
Levites
and temple
servants
within the
temple setting
and they're able
to do this
because their
heritage was
still intact
even 150
years after
the original
conquest
of Jerusalem
so it's likely
that these men
that are represented
in our passage
today
are Gentiles
who have
in some
way
enjoyed
or experienced
some
experience
with this
community
and have
exposure
to the
scriptures
and have
been called
because of
the scriptures
to celebrate
this coming
king.
One prophecy
that's captured
in the Torah
it's in
Numbers
chapter 24
verse 17
speaks about
this star
and speaks
about this
future king
it says
I see him
but not now
I behold him
but not near
a star shall
come out of
Jacob
a scepter
shall rise
out of Israel
it shall crush
the forehead
of Moab
and break
down all
the sons
of Sheth
perhaps they
were reviewing
this passage
this is actually
a prophecy
of Balaam
he is
prophesying
over the people
of Israel
before they
make their way
into the promised
land
and yet
speaking for
God
and speaking
of this future
king
perhaps
this is
the star
that they
were thinking
about
familiar with
the Old Testament
these Gentile
strangers
these foreigners
making their way
into
Jerusalem
their expectant
hearts
this trip
that would have
covered
anywhere between
700 and 900
miles
something that
would have been
anywhere between
four to six months
this massive
investment
of time
as long as
a year's
investment
both there
and the return
trip
this was a
costly
endeavor
this was a
decision
marked by
faith
and anticipation
when they get
to Jerusalem
they encounter
some individuals
that's where we
get our next
response here
in verses
two and three
the people
who hear about
the king
hear about
the king
anxiously
you might also
say
nervously
that's our
third point
this morning
the people
who hear about
the king
anxiously
verse two
says
where is he
who has been
born king of
the Jews
for we saw
his star
when it rose
and have come
to worship
him
when Herod
the king
heard this
he was
troubled
in all
Jerusalem
with him
where is he
who has
been born
king of
the Jews
the wise
men
they make
their way
to Jerusalem
they begin
asking questions
here
and the result
of their
questioning
around Jerusalem
is a
trouble
which is
the word
terrified
it's the word
for turmoil
it's the word
for great
distress
that here
in first
century
while there
was still
this anticipation
and enthusiasm
and expectation
of a coming
Messiah
the questions
of this group
raise the
minds
fear
and anxiety
and turmoil
the Greek
construction
of this word
that they were
saying
or asking
these wise
men who come
saying
or asking
it's in the
it emphasizes
the continual
nature
of the
asking
that's
taking
place
you get
the impression
they make
their way
to Jerusalem
and whoever
they meet
they are
engaging
with this
question
where is
he who
is born
king of
the Jews
that's on
their minds
and all
of Jerusalem
is hearing
this question
being asked
over and
over again
by this
group of
wise men
we saw
his star
in the east
a great deal
of speculation
has happened
around
what was
that star
was it
some
angelic
body
was it
planets
aligning
was it
a
Halley's
comet
and a lot
of speculation
can happen
but what seems
clear about the text
especially in verse 9
is whatever they saw
was a supernatural
event
notice verse 9
the star that they had
seen
when it rose
before them
came until it rested
over the place
where the child
was
that light
and in the Hebrew
and in Greek
star is often used
synonymously
with light
whatever that light
was
seems to have
appeared once
when they were
in the east
and now after
they have
received word
we're going to see
in just a moment
from Herod
as to where
Jesus was born
now all of a sudden
this light shows again
and it settles
over one place
which makes it
very clear
where Jesus was
during this time
there was widespread
expectation
of a coming
king
and yet
the people
rather than
having their hearts
enlarged
are troubled
why?
well the reason why
is because you don't
come into Jerusalem
an occupied place
with Roman authority
and begin asking
questions about
a Jewish king
that is a recipe
for disaster
especially when
the nation
is under this
outside authority
and
the one who is
over you
Herod the Great
we'll see in just a moment
was rash
and violent
and was like a
hair trigger
ready to go off
they knew the temperament
of King Herod
they knew their life
was in danger
they knew the violent
nature and temperament
of this king
but the desire
of the wise men
was to worship
their desire
was to come
we're going to see this
throughout
our passage today
the attention
to worship
the king
and while the people
of Jerusalem
should have heard
this news
and wondered
and the anticipation
in their own hearts
should have grown
instead
they think about
the consequences
of these outsiders
and their hearts
are troubled
rather than being
overjoyed
we move our way
to Herod
in his response
in verses 3 to 8
and if you're
depending upon
the version
of the notes
that you have
the numerical values
may be a little off
on 4, 5, and 6
so just bear with me
and use the notes
that we have
on the board here
Herod
he plots against
the king secretly
we're going to see that
in verses 3 to 8
it says
when Herod the king
heard this
he was troubled
and all of Jerusalem
with him
and assembling
all the chief priests
and the scribes
of the people
he inquired of them
where the Christ
was to be born
they told him
in Bethlehem of Judea
for so it is written
by the prophet
and you
O Bethlehem
in the land of Judah
are by no means
least among
the rulers of Judah
for from you
shall come a ruler
who will shepherd
my people Israel
then Herod
summoned
the wise men
secretly
and ascertained
from them
what time
the star
had appeared
and he sent
them to Bethlehem
saying
go and search
diligently
for the child
and when you
have found him
bring me word
that I too
may come
and worship him
Herod hears
the word
from the street
as it were
he hears
the cacophony
or the chorus
of individuals
who are now
coming to him
and bringing him
word about
these outsiders
who are curious
about a king
so Herod calls
these two private meetings
the first meeting
with the religious leaders
and the second secret meeting
that will take place
with the wise men
themselves
his goal
is ultimately
to eliminate
the threat
his goal
is to plot
against
Jesus
his goal
is to exterminate
this future king
so there's no threat
to his power
Herod the Crate
was a half Jew
and half Edomite
there were
seasons
in his reign
where he showed
great kindness
to the people
he was wealthy
he was politically
gifted
he seemed to be loyal
he was
a good
administrator
he
even during
a famine
he was
superb
at building
projects
and he
demonstrated
benevolence
to the people
but he loved
power
and he loved
power
especially
towards the
end of his life
and the
and the further
he got
or the closer
he got
to the end
of his life
the more paranoid
he would become
so that
the woman
that he would marry
who was
a Jew
he married her
in order to
be in the good
graces
of the Israelites
he felt threatened
by her
and he killed her
he killed two
of his sons
and then
towards the very
close proximity
of his death
he would kill
another
a third
son
Herod
was a man
who was known
for his
bloodthirstiness
his cruelty
distinguished
itself
among the
citizens
of Jerusalem
so that
towards the
end of his
life
he arrested
several of the
citizens
of Israel
and he
commanded
that they be
put to death
on the day
of his death
he didn't want
people in Jerusalem
to celebrate
he wanted people
in Jerusalem
to mourn
and so by
killing those
who were citizens
of Jerusalem
related to family
members in Jerusalem
he could ensure
that in fact
people would
sorrow and grieve
on that day
rather than
desire for that
day to come
so there's no wonder
why all of Jerusalem
was troubled
they knew the
rashness
they knew the
violence
of King
Herod
this was a
recipe
for disaster
and Herod
was intent
on exterminating
his threat
and he would
do it
privately
he would do
it secretly
he would do
it deceptively
so he calls
in these
religious leaders
we find their
response in
verses 4 to 6
kind of captured
within the
greater context
of Herod
the religious
leaders who
speak about
the king
carelessly
what I mean
by carelessly
is without
concern
they couldn't
care less
about the
information that
they were giving
Herod calls
for them in
verse 6
excuse me
verse 4
it says he
assembles all
the chief priests
and the scribes
he is interested
in making sure
that he wasn't
leaving anything
to chance
Herod
assembles the
best and the
brightest
he makes sure
that they're all
present
this job description
these guardians
of the law
these who knew
the law
inside and out
they were the
experts as it
were
the Cambridge
the Harvard
the Yale
of the day
they were those
kinds of
mental scholars
of the law
Herod questions
them
and they
provide a response
and the response
is telling
they quote from
Micah chapter 5
verse 2
the response
is clear
it's direct
it's confident
it's immediate
they speak
of that
which is
according
to the law
they have
certainty
in the scriptures
they have
knowledge
of the word
of God
they follow
through
they come
through
with the
answer
they know
the answer
they know
the chapter
they know
the verse
they can
quote it
by heart
and yet
while they
know the
scriptures
there seems
to be
no follow
through
in their
heart
they have
all the
knowledge
of the word
of God
in their
head
but it
hasn't
changed
the way
they live
no follow
up
no inquiry
no trip
to Bethlehem
no wondering
or inquisition
and asking
questions
about these
outsiders
these strangers
who have
come
for all
the knowledge
of the
scriptures
they have
there is
zero
action
there is
zero
interest
in this
king
Matthew
plainly
says
that Jesus
was
the Messiah
and these
wise men
that come
will express
it
he who is
born
king of the
Jews
not just
to become
king of the
Jews
but he was
in fact
king of the
Jews
the moment
he was
born
so Herod
now summons
the wise
men
those wise
men he says
in verse 7
come secretly
and he
ascertains
from them
what time
this star
had appeared
why would
he do
that
well because
Herod
has begun
to narrow
in on
the answer
he's seeking
to focus
in on
his target
he knows
that the
dawning
of this
star
it will
coincide
with the
birth
of Jesus
Christ
so he
calls
for these
wise men
quietly
not known
publicly
his desire
is not
to create
a scene
not to
spark
a movement
among the
people
verse 8
he sent
them to
Bethlehem
saying
go and
search
diligently
for the
child
and when
you have
found him
bring me
word
that I
may come
and worship
him
of course
this is
just a
ploy
to discover
the location
of Jesus
this
deceptive
coercing
of these
wise men
to gain
knowledge
to send
the wise
men to
do his
bidding
and then
once the
target is
identified
then he
can enact
his plan
which we'll
see next
week
the next
phrase is
amazing
it says
they went
on their
way
and behold
the star
that they
had seen
went before
them
until it
came to
rest
over the
place
where the
child was
and that
leads us
to the
final response
from the
wise men
the wise
men who
worship
the king
joyfully
they worship
the king
joyfully
verse 9
after listening
to the king
they went
on their
way and
behold the
star
they had
seen
when it
rose
went before
them
it came
to rest
over the
place
where the
child was
when they
saw the
star
they rejoiced
exceedingly
with great
joy
and going
into the
house
they saw
the child
with Mary
his mother
they fell
down and
worshipped
him
then opening
their treasures
they offered
him gifts
of gold
and frankincense
and myrrh
do you find
it fascinating
that once
they receive
this news
from king
herod
that now
finally
the star
reappears
that now
finally
that star
will shine
and will
direct them
straight to
Bethlehem
and to
the precise
house where
Jesus and
his family
are staying
which means
that this trip
that would go
through Jerusalem
was by design
it was by design
because of the
things that we're
going to see
next week
will set in
motion the
prophecies
that will help
to confirm
that Jesus
in fact
is the
Messiah
this flight
into Egypt
from Joseph
and Mary
and Jesus
this
extermination
of the children
two years
and under
that's taking
place in
Bethlehem
according to
the prophecies
that have been
written
and then finally
the movement
of the family
back to
Nazareth
all of those
things that
were set in
motion because
God had sent
them to
Jerusalem to
start
to Herod
in particular
and that would
set in motion
all of the
other prophecies
related to
Jesus in the
beginnings of
his life
but when
these magi
when these
wise men
see the
star
they're
overwhelmed
one commentator
says
puts it
this way
he says
quote
the magi
were overwhelmed
that the
special star
appeared to
them
it seems
almost as if
Matthew
were at a
loss for
words to
describe
their ecstasy
and when
they saw
the star
they rejoiced
exceedingly
with great
joy
the original
text piles
up
superlatives
to emphasize
the extent
of their
exhilaration
they felt
thus
indicating
to us
their
uniquely
strong
interest
in this
great
event
end quote
Matthew
helps to
capture
for us
through the
inspiration
of the
spirit
the
electricity
that ignited
their hearts
that the joy
that they
experienced
was almost
too much
for words
they see
this star
this
confirmation
that they
had seen
in the
east
the confirmation
of both
general
and special
revelation
the star
that they
saw in the
sky
and the
word that
they had
read from
the scriptures
and now
coupled with
this new
revelation
this word
of God
this prophecy
from Micah
and now
here again
this general
revelation
of this star
standing over
the very house
where Jesus
was
God was in
this
and when
they come
to the
house
it says
they fell
down
and worshipped
this expression
of devotion
to this
king
this
expression
of worship
that notice
it's not to
Mary
but they bowed
down
and worshipped
him
they worshipped
Christ
they worshipped
the king
and their
worship
that has been
sacrificial
up to this
point
in terms
of their
time
and the
potential
risk
of this
trip
now
demonstrates
itself
in this
outflow
of gifts
of gold
and frankincense
and myrrh
valuable
and costly
gifts
that were
true gifts
for a king
we find
in verse 12
they were warned
in a dream
not to return
to Herod
so they
departed
to their own
country
by another way
God's
preserving
hand
over
his son
the king
we see
in our
passage
this morning
a number
of responses
and I
wonder where
you might
fit yourself
in terms
of your
response
to the
king
back in
Jeremiah
chapter 29
we find
a word
that God
gives to
the exiles
who are
in Babylon
and while
they are
experiencing
the consequences
of their
sin
and it
appears
as if
that perhaps
God may
have abandoned
them
there is
a hope
that is
given by
the prophet
Jeremiah
during this
time
of how
they are
to respond
to
the king
for I know
the plans
I have
for you
declares
the Lord
plans for
welfare
and not
for evil
to give
you a
future
and a
hope
then you
will call
upon me
and come
and pray
to me
and I
will hear
you
will
seek
me
and find
me
when you
seek
with all
your
heart
I
will
be
found
by you
declares
the Lord
and I
will
restore
your
fortunes
and gather
you
from all
the nations
and all
the places
where I
have
driven
you
declares
the Lord
and I
will bring
you
back
to the
place
from which
I
sent
you
this
is
the
promise
of God
to his
people
if you
seek
me
with all
your
heart
you
will
find
me
primarily
to those
who were
of the
Jewish
community
those
who were
exiles
especially
those
who were
driven
out
because
of their
sin
the
promise
of God's
forgiving
and loyal
steadfast
love
to his
people
he will
keep
his
promises
for those
who seek
him
like
these
wise men
sought
after the
Lord
but what
about us
most of us
in this
room
perhaps
would
qualify
as
outsiders
not
a part
of the
commonwealth
of Israel
not
not a
part
of the
Jewish
community
what
about
us
well
the
hope
from us
is
bound
up
in
the
wise
men
and
the
same
anticipation
that they
had
of pursuing
the king
we find
in Isaiah
chapter
55
a word
to
the
outsiders
when it
says
in Isaiah
55
verse
3
incline
your
ear
and
come
to
me
hear
that
your
soul
may
live
and
I
will
make
with
you
an
everlasting
covenant
my
steadfast
love
sure
love
for
David
there
we are
the
Davidic
covenant
the
promise
of
God
that
extends
not
only
to
his
people
but
includes
the
outsiders
notice
in
verse
5
to
7
behold
you
shall
call
a
nation
that
you
do
not
know
in
a
nation
that
did
not
know
you
shall
run
to
you
because
of
the
Lord
your
God
and
of
the
Holy
One
of
Israel
for
he
has
glorified
you
seek
the
Lord
while
he
may
be
found
call
upon
him
while
he
is
near
let
the
wicked
forsake
their
way
and
the
unrighteous
man
his
thoughts
let
him
return
to
the
Lord
that
he
may
have
compassion
on
him
and
to
our
God
for
he
will
abundantly
pardon
that
is a
word
for us
a word
for us
of God
who beckons
us
who calls
us
as king
to enjoy
the
benefits
the
benefits
of
salvation
Jesus
as
savior
it
happens
as
we
come
to
terms
with
our
sin
and
we
come
and
ask
for
forgiveness
from
God
himself
and
we
embrace
him
not
only
as
savior
but
also
as
king
as
lord
as
master
and
we
worship
him
we
fall
before
him
we
have
hearts
that
are
inclined
to
obedience
and
submission
to
our
king
we
lay
it
down
and
we
recognize
his
authority
that is
over
us
and
we
recognize
the
wonder
and
the
beauty
of
his
invitation
to
join
with
us
in
fellowship
for
those
who
come
to
him
in
faith
I
wonder
this
morning
do
you
know
Jesus
and
not
just
know
him
intellectually
like
the
Pharisees
did
like
the
scribes
like
the
religious
leaders
who
knew
everything
they
needed
to
know
about
the
law
but
it
didn't
change
their
heart
oh may
God help
us
those of
us who
know the
word of
God so
well
and yet
it doesn't
do anything
to change
the trajectory
of our
life
may God help
us to bow
before the
king
this holiday
season
and that
that bowing
before the
king would
be perpetual
and not just
for the
Christmas season
but would go
on and continue
and that
our
life
would be
a beacon
of light
that would
call others
to the same
kind of
worship
the same
kind of
experience
and enjoying
the benefits
of what we
see here
in Isaiah
chapter 55
seek the
Lord
while he
may be
found
call upon
him
while he
is near
may God
help us
as God's
people
to see
and know
and love
and worship
the king
oh God
we praise
you
for the
example
of the
wise men
thank you
that even
with limited
knowledge
even with a
broken view
of astrology
and looking
for signs
in the heavens
that you
by your
kindness
and your
grace
still drew
them to
yourself
and gave
them
the joy
the
exploding
exuberant
overflowing
joy
of seeing
and encountering
yourself
there in
Bethlehem
and worshiping
the king
God may we
not have
the sterile
carefree
careless
knowledge
of the
scribes
and Pharisees
just knowing
the answers
knowing the
scriptures
quoting the
verses
but may
the word
that we
know
the scripture
itself
change our
hearts
change our
affections
and may
the change
that people
see in us
draw attention
to the wonder
of our king
and may our
lives shine
as stars
as lights
as well
as we seek
to testify
to the wonder
of the true light
the great light
the only light
God himself
we pray in
Jesus name
amen
God bless you
have a great
week
miracle
Thank you.