WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.120 Will you read with me Matthew 2 verses 1 to 12? 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:12.300 That's Matthew 2 verses 1 to 12. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:19.580 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:22.940 Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:26.780 Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:30.760 We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 00:00:31.840 --> 00:00:36.240 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:41.240 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, 00:00:41.760 --> 00:00:44.000 he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:50.420 In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:57.179 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. 00:00:58.160 --> 00:01:01.420 For out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 00:01:02.800 --> 00:01:08.159 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:10.879 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.379 Go and search carefully for the child. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:18.719 As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:23.119 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:26.319 and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.099 until it stopped over the place where the child was. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:32.919 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:37.159 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.620 and they bowed down and worshipped him. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:45.840 Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:49.600 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.160 they returned to their country by another route. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:08.759 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:16.379 Will you pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:17.099 Let's pray together. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:32.780 Father, we need you to give us ears to hear you. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:40.800 Give us hearts that are ready to listen to what you have to say in your word in Matthew. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:45.219 So we pray that you would be speaking to us through Matthew, 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:50.199 and that you would give us these hearts that are ready to listen to you. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:55.080 The world wants us to believe all sorts of things. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:02.400 Help us to be discerning and to listen to your truth instead. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:04.100 We pray for your help. 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:04.800 In Jesus' name. 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:05.260 Amen. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:19.840 Well, the famous comedian, Ricky Gervais, is pretty outspoken that believing in God is just ridiculous. 00:03:20.899 --> 00:03:21.719 He once tweeted, 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:27.080 If you want to deny something, don't choose evolution or the Holocaust. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:28.240 You'll look silly. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:30.180 Way too much evidence. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:34.060 Choose a God or homeopathy. 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:37.979 Another tweet. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:40.819 Everyone has the right to believe anything they want. 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:44.080 And everyone else has the right to find it ridiculous. 00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:47.780 Or in an interview, 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:53.599 I don't believe in God because there is absolutely no scientific evidence for his existence. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:58.719 Have you ever thought, 00:03:59.359 --> 00:04:01.319 If only God made himself clearer, 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:04.639 it would be easier to believe in him? 00:04:08.019 --> 00:04:11.120 What we're going to hear today in Matthew's history of Jesus' life 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:14.000 is going to show us that there's an even deeper reason 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.459 why we struggle to trust and believe in God. 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:21.360 So let's have a look at this story. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.860 So yeah, this story of the wise men, 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:27.360 it's a famous one at Christmastime. 00:04:28.080 --> 00:04:30.120 It's a very pleasant children's story. 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:33.560 In our scientific age, 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:39.020 we might find the idea of a star appearing in the sky quite unusual, 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:40.199 to say the least. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:43.360 But in Mesopotamia, 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:47.480 which was kind of our modern-day Iraq, 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:50.220 just to the east of Israel, 00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:53.800 which is probably where these magi were from. 00:04:53.940 --> 00:04:55.180 And in other parts of the world, 00:04:55.640 --> 00:05:00.160 there was quite a sophisticated development of the study of the stars, 00:05:00.760 --> 00:05:05.260 thinking that you get divine information through observing the stars. 00:05:06.400 --> 00:05:07.460 So these magi, 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.060 these astrologers, 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:12.200 would have been advising their kings and their rulers. 00:05:12.320 --> 00:05:13.580 They would have been court officials. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:19.379 So when Nero became emperor of Rome, 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:24.479 historians record a visit from Magi to pay their respects. 00:05:25.419 --> 00:05:28.240 So this kind of visit wasn't entirely unusual, 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:32.740 but what happened with the story of Jesus is unique. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:36.199 From their home, 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:37.139 perhaps in Babylon, 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:39.879 they see a star rising. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.280 And some have attempted to work out what this star was. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:44.040 So some think it was Halley's Comet. 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:46.800 But that was recorded in 12 BC. 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:49.740 And Jesus was born about 4 BC. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:51.019 I know that before Christ, 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:52.079 that doesn't quite make sense, 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:53.740 but there's this discrepancy 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:56.780 that got worked out later on. 00:05:56.779 --> 00:05:57.839 So Halley's Comet, 00:05:58.079 --> 00:05:59.179 not quite lining up, 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:01.419 but Saturn and Jupiter aligning. 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:04.879 But that was in 7 BC. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:09.199 Some think it might have been a star coming into being, 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:12.339 a nova or supernova exploding star. 00:06:13.099 --> 00:06:14.179 So Chinese records, 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:15.819 talk about in 5 BC. 00:06:16.219 --> 00:06:18.379 We don't really know is the short answer. 00:06:18.719 --> 00:06:19.919 And it's not really the point. 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:21.539 What's most surprising 00:06:21.539 --> 00:06:24.319 is that the Bible 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.980 is pretty clear in telling us 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:29.659 not to seek out special information 00:06:29.659 --> 00:06:32.980 through like omens and mediums 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:34.579 and psychics and astrology. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.100 But without criticism here, 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:38.279 there is no criticism. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:41.740 Here are these foreigners to God's people, 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.759 potentially from Babylon, 00:06:44.039 --> 00:06:45.480 the enemy of God's people, 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:49.079 probably ignorant of God's promises 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.079 in the Old Testament, 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:53.180 seeing this rising star. 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:55.680 And what do they do with this information? 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:01.939 Well, the emphasis on the star rising 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:04.900 is Matthew wanting us to think 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:08.980 of the prophecy in Numbers 24, 17, 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:11.000 during the days of Moses, 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:13.079 like 1,400 years earlier. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:15.819 So the prophecy was, 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:17.980 a star shall come out of Jacob 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:22.220 and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:23.400 A ruler will come, 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:24.120 in other words. 00:07:26.520 --> 00:07:28.640 These foreign astrologers, 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.820 seeing this divine sign, 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:32.100 come to Jerusalem, 00:07:32.460 --> 00:07:35.420 the city of the king of Israel. 00:07:36.140 --> 00:07:37.980 Now, they would have had to walk 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:38.840 or ride animals 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:40.920 for over 1,000 kilometres. 00:07:42.760 --> 00:07:44.740 Imagine putting that in Jerusalem 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:45.800 into Google Maps 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:46.480 and it says, 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:47.379 two months 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:48.879 to get there. 00:07:49.960 --> 00:07:51.240 You might think twice 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:51.960 about the journey 00:07:51.960 --> 00:07:53.060 and that's just one way. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.000 But they come. 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:00.060 Naturally, 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.220 they go to King Herod, 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.100 but he doesn't have a son 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:03.800 that young 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:04.540 to fit the bill. 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.139 And so word apparently spread 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:08.439 throughout all Jerusalem 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:09.459 with the hope 00:08:09.459 --> 00:08:10.259 of God's promises 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.339 in Jewish ears 00:08:11.339 --> 00:08:12.259 and in their hearts. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.060 This gossip 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:14.319 would have spread quickly. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.899 Could it really be happening? 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:19.120 After 400 years 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:20.240 of silence from God, 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.720 could the son of David 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:22.540 have arrived? 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.639 Herod certainly thinks so 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:25.600 because he asked 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:27.240 the chief priests 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.500 when the Messiah, 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:30.220 where he was to be born. 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:33.080 Is the everlasting kingdom 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:33.860 of righteousness 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:34.519 and peace 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.860 finally here? 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.840 Is the king here? 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:42.720 I think it should have been like 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:45.580 if you're a prisoner of war 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:46.820 in World War II. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.740 My grandfather 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:49.360 was a prisoner of war 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.060 in World War II. 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.019 Could you imagine that, 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:53.040 being a prisoner of war? 00:08:55.040 --> 00:08:55.860 And imagine 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.460 someone 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:59.000 comes and whispers 00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:59.680 in your ear 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:00.639 away from 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.779 the officers 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.519 in charge of you 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:04.679 and just whispers 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:05.879 that the allies 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.459 have invaded Berlin. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:09.439 The war is almost over. 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:13.739 You can have a full meal again. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.519 You can go home. 00:09:18.319 --> 00:09:20.579 That cold, dark night 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:23.299 is about to change. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:23.919 The light 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.120 is coming up. 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:27.639 That's what it should have felt like, 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:28.259 this news. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:31.539 But what's Herod 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:32.859 and all Jerusalem's reaction 00:09:32.859 --> 00:09:33.939 in verse 3? 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:35.000 They're troubled. 00:09:36.739 --> 00:09:37.939 They're troubled. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:41.579 It's a word 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:42.679 for inner turmoil. 00:09:42.859 --> 00:09:43.839 They were afraid. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:44.739 Why? 00:09:45.959 --> 00:09:47.319 This should have been 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:49.239 awesome news. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:50.959 Why were they afraid? 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:54.100 I think maybe 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.519 Acts chapter 5 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.820 gives us a hint. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:58.620 In living memory, 00:09:59.400 --> 00:09:59.820 there had been 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:00.639 at least two 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.139 widely known instances 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:02.840 where a man 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.139 claimed to be somebody 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.460 leading Jews 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.060 to rebel 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:06.940 against the authority 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:07.460 of Rome. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.500 And for both 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.100 these men, 00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.519 Judas and Theodos, 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:12.379 Rome came crashing down 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:13.180 and killed them 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:13.960 and killed 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:15.060 those who followed them 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:15.759 very quickly. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:19.460 This is politically 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.819 dangerous news 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:23.700 that a king had come 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:24.580 who wasn't appointed 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.200 by Rome. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:26.700 Maybe they were afraid 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:27.220 of Rome. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.980 I was intrigued 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:33.620 that the word 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.220 troubled 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:36.419 is the same one 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.740 used in 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:38.740 a Greek translation 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.039 of Isaiah 8 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:40.779 verse 12 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:41.700 which is 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:43.319 surrounded by 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:43.980 this promise 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:44.620 of Emmanuel. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:46.840 I'm just raising it 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:47.840 because I would love 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.360 to just 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:50.019 get you guys 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.560 to tell me 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.179 what you think. 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:52.340 Go away and read 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:53.840 Isaiah 7 to 9 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:54.519 and think 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:57.179 is Matthew 00:10:57.179 --> 00:10:58.299 using Isaiah 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:59.120 7 to 9 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.519 in his story 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.379 of Jesus coming? 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:02.600 I'd love to hear 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.220 your thoughts. 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:05.100 As you look at it, 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:05.820 look how 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:06.620 the promise 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:07.240 of Emmanuel 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:09.180 is God with us. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.159 God can be with us 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.060 in judgment 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:12.340 and God can be with us 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.500 for salvation. 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.320 The sign 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.879 has both 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:17.399 emphases 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.960 in Isaiah. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.080 So I'd love 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:20.840 to hear your thoughts. 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.120 So Herod and Jerusalem, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.159 they were probably 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.039 afraid of Rome. 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:26.899 Maybe Jerusalem 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.940 was afraid of Herod, 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.659 what he would do 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.740 to protect his throne 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.100 which, 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:31.480 yeah, 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:31.799 as we're going 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.639 to see next week, 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.120 there would be good 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.019 reason to be afraid 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.399 of Herod. 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:37.480 So we might be 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.600 sympathetic to this fear. 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.799 But this isn't 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:45.319 just some ordinary man 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:46.799 claiming to be somebody. 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.740 If this really is 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.179 God's eternal king, 00:11:50.959 --> 00:11:51.579 could Rome 00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.220 stop him? 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.579 Could Rome 00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:55.379 stop God? 00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:57.919 Surely not. 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:58.019 Well, 00:11:58.019 --> 00:12:02.259 I think they were afraid 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.240 to lose their current 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:03.980 way of life. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:05.320 I think they would 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:05.920 rather keep 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:06.920 the status quo. 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.300 Even though it's 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:09.800 not perfect, 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.539 they'd rather not 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.200 rock the boat. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.700 Like Israel, 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.800 after just being 00:12:15.800 --> 00:12:16.840 delivered from 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:17.840 slavery in Egypt, 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.659 heading towards 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.539 the promised land, 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:20.800 because of just 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.460 a little bit of 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:21.860 hardship, 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.980 they longed to be 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.840 back in slavery 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:24.320 in Egypt. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:33.020 they feared the 00:12:33.020 --> 00:12:33.800 life they had. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:36.900 And Herod 00:12:36.900 --> 00:12:38.240 leads the way 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:40.160 in this self-protection, 00:12:40.540 --> 00:12:41.220 this protecting 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.040 of their life. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:44.920 So Herod 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:46.960 and the people 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:47.540 had God, 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.200 they didn't just 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:48.760 have a star, 00:12:48.880 --> 00:12:49.220 they had 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.860 much more 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:52.120 specific revelation 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.940 from God. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.500 Herod summons 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.120 all the chief 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.560 priests, 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.580 all the experts 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.240 in the law, 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.440 the experts 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.060 in the Bible 00:12:59.060 --> 00:12:59.720 and asks when 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.139 the Messiah 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:00.840 was to be born. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:01.679 This is a really 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.379 simple question. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:03.120 It should have 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.539 been common 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:03.940 knowledge. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:04.399 It's a bit 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.240 surprising that 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:05.740 Herod even 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.279 asked this 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:06.659 question. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:08.840 The prophet 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.320 Micah, 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:10.379 chapter 5, 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.000 verse 2, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.860 it was very 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.220 clear. 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.840 The Messiah 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.179 is going to 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:14.560 come in 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.259 King David's 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.840 own town 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.539 of Bethlehem. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.539 I'm going to 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:17.960 read the 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.840 original quote 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:21.240 from Micah. 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:21.820 But you, 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.759 O Bethlehem, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.639 Ephathrath, 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.259 I don't know 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.600 how to say 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:24.800 that, 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.019 who are too 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.720 little to be 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:27.100 among the 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.500 clans of 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:27.700 Judah, 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.160 from you 00:13:28.160 --> 00:13:28.600 shall come 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.120 forth from 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.259 me, 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:29.680 one who 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:29.899 is to 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.399 be ruler 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:31.080 in Israel, 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:31.920 whose coming 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:32.519 forth is 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.060 from old, 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.240 from ancient 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:34.800 days. 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.200 Therefore he 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.660 shall give 00:13:36.660 --> 00:13:37.379 them up 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.040 until the 00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:38.540 time when 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.120 she who 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:39.399 is in 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:39.879 labor has 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.600 given birth. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.399 Then the 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:41.960 rest of his 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.519 brothers shall 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.259 return to 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:43.620 the people 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.040 of Israel, 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.580 and he 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.259 shall stand 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:45.879 and shepherd 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:46.600 his flock 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:46.900 in the 00:13:46.900 --> 00:13:47.480 strength of 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:47.940 the Lord, 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:48.560 in the 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.159 majesty of 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:49.519 the name 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:49.759 of the 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.239 Lord his 00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:50.599 God, 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:50.899 and they 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.379 shall dwell 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.119 secure. 00:13:52.619 --> 00:13:53.539 For now he 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.219 shall be 00:13:54.219 --> 00:13:54.979 great to 00:13:54.979 --> 00:13:55.299 the ends 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:55.539 of the 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:55.779 earth, 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.139 and he 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.619 shall be 00:13:56.619 --> 00:13:56.839 their 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:57.459 peace. 00:13:58.839 --> 00:14:04.299 To make 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.599 it even 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:05.279 clearer for 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.559 us, 00:14:06.079 --> 00:14:06.479 Matthew 00:14:06.479 --> 00:14:06.919 kind of 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:07.319 meshes 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:07.979 into this 00:14:07.979 --> 00:14:08.299 quote, 00:14:08.479 --> 00:14:09.079 2 Samuel 00:14:09.079 --> 00:14:10.019 chapter 5 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:10.539 verse 2. 00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:11.059 You might 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:11.399 think that's 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:11.659 just a 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.119 random part 00:14:12.119 --> 00:14:12.299 of the 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:12.519 Bible. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:12.919 It's not 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.239 random. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.119 This is 00:14:14.119 --> 00:14:14.719 the moment 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:15.239 that King 00:14:15.239 --> 00:14:16.039 David is 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:16.679 enthroned 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.439 over Israel. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.379 This part 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:19.919 that's 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:20.479 meshed in. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:22.739 And Matthew 00:14:22.739 --> 00:14:23.399 just starts 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.119 this story, 00:14:25.119 --> 00:14:26.019 it almost 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:26.519 seems like 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:28.019 minor biographical 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.679 detail, 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:29.959 saying these 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.099 things happened 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:31.799 after Jesus 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.419 was born in 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:32.879 Bethlehem. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.039 But this is 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.739 big news, 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:38.159 that he was 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.519 born in 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:38.979 Bethlehem. 00:14:40.239 --> 00:14:40.959 Can you 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:41.399 get any 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:41.859 clearer than 00:14:41.859 --> 00:14:42.139 that? 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:44.679 Herod and 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.360 Jerusalem had 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:45.819 all the 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.340 light of 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.500 knowledge of 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:47.899 what God 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.460 has said, 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.220 and what 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.639 did they do 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:49.879 with it? 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.220 They were 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:50.600 troubled, 00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:50.939 they were 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:51.399 afraid. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.439 I think 00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:55.059 they feared 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.840 to lose 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.659 the degree 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.399 of control 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:57.740 that they 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.199 had over 00:14:58.199 --> 00:14:58.899 their lives. 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.080 Herod feared 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.679 to lose 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.419 his control. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.519 His throne 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:03.939 was under 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.439 threat. 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:08.380 I think 00:15:08.380 --> 00:15:08.800 we see 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.240 this in 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.080 all Herod's 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.680 scheming. 00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:12.140 He said 00:15:12.140 --> 00:15:12.480 with his 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:12.980 lips that 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.260 he wanted 00:15:13.260 --> 00:15:13.640 to come 00:15:13.640 --> 00:15:14.140 and worship 00:15:14.140 --> 00:15:14.800 this king, 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.760 but his 00:15:15.760 --> 00:15:16.080 behaviour 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:16.520 tells a 00:15:16.520 --> 00:15:17.340 very different 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:17.980 story. 00:15:19.140 --> 00:15:19.700 Bethlehem 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.060 is just 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.060 15 kilometres 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:21.880 south to 00:15:21.880 --> 00:15:22.180 Jerusalem. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:22.660 It's like 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:23.740 from here 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.400 to Toronto. 00:15:26.800 --> 00:15:27.700 He didn't 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:28.040 bother. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.800 The Magi 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.380 travel for 00:15:30.380 --> 00:15:30.680 months. 00:15:30.760 --> 00:15:31.140 He didn't 00:15:31.140 --> 00:15:31.900 bother a 00:15:31.900 --> 00:15:32.420 few hours 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:32.840 walk. 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:34.260 If he 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.899 really wanted 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.200 to come 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.600 and worship 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.080 that king, 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:36.279 it would 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:36.799 be quite 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.279 easy to 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:37.720 do so. 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.120 He didn't 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.620 need to 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.799 summon all 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.360 the chief 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.960 priests and 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:43.480 the scribes. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:43.919 Why did 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.279 he summon 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.799 all? 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.200 He needed 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.939 one, if 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.720 that, because 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.059 it was pretty 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:48.799 common knowledge. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:49.899 I reckon 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.220 that's a 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:50.899 political move. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:51.840 I think 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.200 he's sending 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:52.620 a message 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.379 to the 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:53.620 chief 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:53.960 priest, 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:54.580 I'm in 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:54.980 charge of 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.139 this 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.639 situation. 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.299 I could 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:58.580 be wrong 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.080 about that. 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:00.899 But he 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.539 summons all 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.059 and then 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.720 immediately 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.279 after, 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.779 he has 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.419 a secret 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.159 meeting. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.179 He has 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:08.819 a secret 00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:09.480 meeting with 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.079 the Magi 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:11.439 to find 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:11.759 out when 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.199 the star 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:12.879 had appeared 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.600 and from 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.059 the next 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:14.480 week's 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:14.759 story, 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:15.600 it's at 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.439 least within 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.240 two years. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.759 He wanted 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.100 to keep 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.559 this knowledge 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.199 secret, 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:20.879 just he 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.360 knew it. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.059 He's trying 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.319 to keep 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:22.939 control of 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:23.620 this situation. 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.500 And then 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:24.860 he gives 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.579 these foreign 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:26.000 visitors 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.439 orders. 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:26.860 He's got 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.620 no jurisdiction 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.199 over them. 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:29.480 He's trying 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:29.939 to control 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:32.240 them under 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.019 the pretense 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.539 of wanting 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.080 to worship. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.440 He's trying 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.000 to control 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.720 this threat 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.139 to his 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.500 throne. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.820 I don't 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:41.060 think we 00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.899 can be 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.620 sure that 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:42.860 he had 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.480 murderous 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.039 intent at 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.519 this point, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.100 but at 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.600 the very 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.120 least he 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.519 was trying 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.360 to stay 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.960 in control. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:54.000 now we 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.400 can 00:16:54.400 --> 00:16:56.980 tsk, 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.420 tsk 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:57.940 Herod 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.100 and 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.620 distance 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.120 ourselves 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.740 from him, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.040 but I 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:02.379 wonder if 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.720 we're really 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.280 that different. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.079 So for 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.299 instance, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:08.620 are you 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.279 here today 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.779 to sign 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.160 off on 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.740 your religious 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.440 duty so 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:12.759 that the 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.220 rest of 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.620 your week 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.220 is yours 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:14.620 to do 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:14.980 with what 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.539 you want? 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.340 Or are 00:17:19.340 --> 00:17:19.640 you here 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.059 to listen 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.480 to God 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:20.920 through his 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.980 word so 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.299 that you 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.960 are renewed 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.579 again to 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.039 live another 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.559 week for 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.079 his sake? 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.380 It's going 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.000 to look very 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.980 similar on 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.579 the surface. 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.120 One is 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.440 trying to 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.160 control God 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.120 so that you 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.160 can stay 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.600 in control 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:34.860 of your 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.140 life. 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.539 The other 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.720 is giving 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.259 yourself to 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.539 God. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.799 I wonder 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.360 how else 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:42.819 we try 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.220 and keep 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.880 Jesus in 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.380 his little 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.700 corner and 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.259 keep him 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.819 away from 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.339 the throne 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:47.659 of our 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:48.099 lives. 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.559 Contrast 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:55.980 this with 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.700 the foreign 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.639 astrologers 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.099 who only 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:58.460 have a 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:00.200 star to 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.720 go by. 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.359 Although 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.039 they appear 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.319 to be 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:04.659 obeying 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.019 Herod, 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.460 they are 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.019 actually 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.419 following 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:06.740 the one 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:06.960 who's 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.500 actually 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:07.799 in 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.259 control. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.359 The 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:10.919 star 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:11.379 they had 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:11.720 seen 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.099 appeared 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.599 again 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.119 and it 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.799 moved. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.299 Not 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.759 really sure 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.200 how this 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.639 worked, 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.000 but it 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.700 moved. 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:20.900 This is 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.380 supernatural 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:21.980 stuff. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.580 We're not 00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:24.300 told exactly 00:18:24.300 --> 00:18:25.440 how but it 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.020 directed them 00:18:26.020 --> 00:18:26.320 to the 00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:27.000 exact place, 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:27.480 the exact 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.259 house where 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.040 Jesus was. 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:30.980 God was 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.840 drawing them 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.259 to his 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.740 king. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.780 Now I 00:18:36.780 --> 00:18:37.560 think I 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:38.759 need to 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.160 make clear 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.560 the point 00:18:39.560 --> 00:18:39.800 of the 00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.180 Magal 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.820 being more 00:18:40.820 --> 00:18:41.840 sincere in 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.340 following the 00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:42.880 star than 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.300 the Jews 00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:43.780 were in 00:18:43.780 --> 00:18:44.420 following God's 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:44.660 word. 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.320 I don't 00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:45.740 think that's 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.060 meant to 00:18:46.060 --> 00:18:46.700 discourage 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.940 us from 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.840 finding God 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.259 through his 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.960 written word. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.200 We're not 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.580 meant to 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:52.180 leave here 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.519 and go 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:52.980 get our 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.720 palm read 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.880 or go 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.380 read our 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.040 horoscopes. 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.400 It's not 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.740 what this 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.180 text is 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.540 trying to 00:18:58.540 --> 00:18:58.820 get us 00:18:58.820 --> 00:18:59.279 to do. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.120 We're not 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.400 meant to 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.740 look for 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.500 signs like 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.019 God if you 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.380 want me to 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:03.759 buy that 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.860 car make 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.680 this traffic 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.140 light go 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.519 green. 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.840 We're not 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.140 meant to 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.700 do that. 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:11.380 the whole 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.120 point of 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:12.460 Matthew 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.240 writing this 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.779 book is 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.220 so that we 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.840 would clearly 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:15.620 know Jesus. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.900 God isn't 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.559 condoning 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.140 astrology 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:23.360 but I 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.240 think it 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.759 does show 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.100 us that 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.420 God is 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.100 willing to 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.779 meet people 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.160 where they're 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.779 at and 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.319 draw them 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.799 to himself. 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:29.860 I think 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.420 that's the 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:30.860 main point 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.100 we're meant 00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:31.420 to take. 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.360 God is 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.880 willing to 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.519 meet these 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:33.880 Magi 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.180 where they're 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.460 at and 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.940 draw them 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.460 to himself. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.819 I think 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.240 the lesson 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.580 we're meant 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:40.920 to get 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.539 the contrast 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.319 between Herod 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:43.880 and Jerusalem 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.039 and these 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.519 foreigners 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.980 is at the 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.680 level of the 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.279 attitude of 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.940 their heart. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.500 Something very 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.019 different is 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.539 going on. 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.299 Instead of 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:53.920 fear, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.279 having been 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.900 shown the 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.319 way to 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.039 King Jesus, 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.140 isn't this a 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.900 lovely phrase, 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.700 they rejoiced 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.980 exceedingly 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.980 with great 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.420 joy. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.440 I want 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:09.819 more of 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.039 that. 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:10.539 Don't 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:10.759 you? 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:11.920 They 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.900 rejoiced 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.180 exceedingly 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.259 with great 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.640 joy. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.100 I want 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.480 more of 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.700 that. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.019 Instead 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.440 of trying 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.860 to maintain 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.559 control, 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.080 when they 00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:22.460 enter the 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.759 home, 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.480 they express 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:23.880 the giving 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.200 up of 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.880 their control 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.440 by falling 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.759 at his 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.039 feet. 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:31.920 The point 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.400 of mentioning 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.559 Mary being 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.700 there is 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.160 not to 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.720 suggest that 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.299 she deserved 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.920 worship as 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.279 well. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.920 the verse 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.619 clearly says 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.000 they fell 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.500 down and 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:40.920 worshipped 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.440 him. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.899 I think 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.339 mentioning 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.899 Mary, 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.700 I'm not 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.059 sure of 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.240 this, 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.779 but I 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.019 think 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.379 mentioning 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.099 Mary without 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.799 Joseph is 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.660 maybe Matthew's 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:49.980 way of 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.700 suggesting that 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.519 these 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.359 worshippers 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.139 knew of 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.940 the scandalous 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.839 beginnings of 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.240 the virgin 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.000 birth and 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.440 the birth 00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.920 prior to 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.299 marriage. 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.779 They 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.539 trusted that 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:03.980 God had 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.440 led them to 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:04.980 the true 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.339 king, 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.000 despite the 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.420 rest of 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:06.899 society, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.920 despising 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.519 and rejecting 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:09.920 Jesus. 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.039 I think 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.399 that's what's 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:11.779 going on 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.000 here. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.099 Instead of 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.480 trying to 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.059 protect the 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.960 life they 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.599 had like 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.259 Herod over 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.740 his little 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.519 kingdom and 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.460 all Jerusalem 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:23.980 trying to 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.539 protect their 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:24.819 city, 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.180 there's another 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.480 lovely phrase, 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.279 they opened 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.700 up their 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.119 treasures. 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.899 Matthew could 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.139 have just 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.319 said, 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.099 and they 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.720 gave gifts, 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.160 but he's got 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:35.500 this little 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:35.759 phrase, 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.319 they opened 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.119 up their 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.480 treasures. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:38.920 They weren't 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.180 trying to 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.720 protect it, 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.240 they opened 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.400 it. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.640 This is what 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.379 happens when 00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:45.779 you're filled 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.279 with great 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.119 joy at 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.819 being brought 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.279 to God's 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.539 king. 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.480 You gladly 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.039 give him the 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.460 best you 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.779 have. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.599 You only 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.519 do that if 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.039 you've found a 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.559 greater treasure. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:01.599 gold and 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.240 frankincense 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.799 and myrrh. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.119 We get 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:05.019 gold being 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.440 a royal 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.740 gift, 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.559 frankincense 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.159 used for 00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:07.740 incense. 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:10.059 Myrrh we 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.659 think of 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.299 being used 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.940 for burial 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:13.819 and maybe 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.619 that's what's 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.000 going on 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.500 here to 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.059 allude to 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.379 Jesus' 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:16.859 death, 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.019 but myrrh 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.639 was also a 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:19.480 spice used 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.359 for celebration 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:21.079 and joy. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.159 So we find 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:22.440 it in the 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:22.720 book of 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.079 Song of 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.460 Songs, 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.079 for instance. 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:25.919 These are 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:26.379 all gifts 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.240 of celebration. 00:22:31.560 --> 00:22:32.160 And I'm 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.640 wondering what 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.160 the purpose 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.520 of these 00:22:33.520 --> 00:22:34.200 gifts are. 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.780 Like I 00:22:35.780 --> 00:22:36.360 suppose they 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:36.760 could have 00:22:36.760 --> 00:22:37.120 been trying 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.380 to get 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.780 political 00:22:37.780 --> 00:22:38.480 favour from 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.980 the king 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.540 once he'd 00:22:39.540 --> 00:22:40.080 grown up, 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.040 but rejoiced 00:22:42.040 --> 00:22:42.760 exceedingly 00:22:42.760 --> 00:22:43.260 with great 00:22:43.260 --> 00:22:43.780 joy just 00:22:43.780 --> 00:22:44.420 seems a bit 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.000 out of place 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.740 for a 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.080 diplomatic 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:46.600 visit. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.160 I think 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.360 there's 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:49.560 something 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:49.920 deeper 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.460 going on. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:52.980 I think 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.200 these 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.700 worshippers 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.260 gave her 00:22:54.260 --> 00:22:54.820 the best 00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:55.300 they had 00:22:55.300 --> 00:22:55.660 as a 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.080 small 00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:56.620 expression 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:56.960 of the 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.420 value 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:57.779 of the 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.080 king. 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.240 To be 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.000 associated 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.660 with the 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.000 king 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.440 was their 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:02.720 treasure. 00:23:04.300 --> 00:23:04.600 And so 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.040 they gladly 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:05.600 open up 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.640 their other 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:06.940 treasures. 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.300 Any Jew 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:10.840 hearing this 00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.880 would think 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.160 of what 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.460 happened 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.100 with Solomon, 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.400 the son of 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.000 King David, 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.240 when the 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.840 Queen of 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.440 Sheba from 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.060 the east 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:19.340 came. 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.460 We read 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:20.680 it in 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.540 1 Kings 10. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:23.019 when she 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.879 experienced 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.579 the supreme 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.240 wisdom of 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.579 the son 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.119 of David, 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.700 seeing the 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.059 temple, 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.659 seeing how 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.399 happy his 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.159 people were 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:29.659 under his 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.079 rule, 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.659 this foreigner 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:33.099 praises God 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.319 because the 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.859 Lord loved 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.680 Israel forever. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.319 He has made 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.960 you king that 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.720 you may execute 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.619 justice and 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:39.099 righteousness. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:39.799 And then she 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.659 gives a 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.519 bucket load of 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.019 gifts of 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.639 gold and 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.139 spices. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.059 The gifts 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.500 were just a 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.420 small way of 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.099 expressing the 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.819 worth of this 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.019 king and the 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.680 privilege of 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.240 knowing him 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.579 and being 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.839 associated with 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.079 him. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.400 And the 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.240 prophet saw a 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.940 day when all 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.460 the nations 00:23:58.460 --> 00:23:59.139 would come and 00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.539 give their 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.279 gifts to this 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.079 true son of 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.400 David. 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.180 So in 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.960 Isaiah 60 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.359 we hear 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.139 nations shall 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.879 come to 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:06.519 your light. 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.619 Your sons 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.139 shall come 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:08.740 from afar. 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.440 Your daughters 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.819 shall be 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.379 carried on 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:10.779 the hip. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.639 Then you 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.220 shall see 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.559 and be 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:12.980 radiant. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.559 Your heart 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.379 shall thrill 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:15.440 and exult. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.279 They shall 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.980 bring gold 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.859 and frankincense 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.259 and shall 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.779 bring good 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.240 news. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.220 The praises 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.500 of the 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.799 Lord. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.799 Someone 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.539 greater than 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.500 Solomon is 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:27.180 here is 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.620 what Matthew 00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.019 wants us 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.480 to see. 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.539 And while 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:34.940 God is 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.299 bringing 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.819 foreigners 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.259 to his 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.240 king into 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.000 exceeding 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.460 joy, 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.440 gladly 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.240 falling before 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.640 him, 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.740 Herod and 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.559 all Jerusalem 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.259 fear the 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.620 loss of 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.220 their control 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.519 and the 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:46.920 life they 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.180 have. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:51.180 we see 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.160 how pathetic 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.960 Herod's 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.759 attempts are 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.279 to control 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.160 the situation 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:57.980 with everything 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.460 else going 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.759 on. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.140 Can 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.900 Herod make 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.680 a star 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.299 in heaven 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.019 rise or 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.000 fall or 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.500 move? 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.440 Like his 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.980 political 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:06.799 scheming is 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.759 just pathetic 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.480 compared to 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.440 a star. 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.200 And then 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.380 we've got 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.059 this dream. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.119 dream. 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.379 The king 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:15.859 of heaven 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.359 sends a 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:18.079 message to 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.720 these foreigners 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.440 in a dream 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.799 and they 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.279 obey the 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.799 real king, 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:22.200 not Herod. 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.339 Herod and 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.799 Jerusalem's 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.299 attempts to 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.579 stay in 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.359 control is 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:31.500 laughable in 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.039 light of who 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.419 has just 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.019 arrived on 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.259 earth. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:38.119 I wonder 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.539 if our 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.160 attempts at 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.680 staying in 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.799 control are 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.220 any better. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:45.140 Hasn't this 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.019 year shown us 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.740 how little we 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.019 are in 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.420 control? 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.680 What a 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.200 blessing to be 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.680 shown that. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.500 A hard 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.839 lesson, 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.220 but a 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.519 blessing. 00:25:57.519 --> 00:26:00.759 If you 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.000 have been 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.740 consumed with 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.319 worry this 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.759 year, then 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.160 come to 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.539 the one 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.039 who's really 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.579 in charge. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.480 It's not 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.019 that God 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.819 hasn't clearly 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.500 shown the 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:12.940 world that 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.539 Jesus really 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:13.839 is in 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.259 charge. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.519 They had 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.259 plenty of 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.680 testimony 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.460 then, and 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.119 we have 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.859 even more 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.019 today, this 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.379 morning. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.379 Not only 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.019 because things 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.819 are clearer in 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.240 hindsight, 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.859 but Matthew 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.039 has helped 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.839 us see that 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.319 Jesus is 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.400 fulfilling all 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.420 God's promises 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:35.980 throughout 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.299 thousands of 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.519 years of 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.240 his speaking 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.859 into the 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.160 world. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.000 He's made 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.420 it really 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.720 clear, Jesus 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.680 is the 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.480 son of 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.879 David. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.879 Even this 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.420 early in the 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.200 story, we've 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.940 got so much 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.619 more to learn 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.019 about this 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.599 king and 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:53.900 what the 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.359 kingdom is 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.960 all about, 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.720 but even 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.420 this early in 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.940 the story, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.000 we can be 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.759 sure he 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.320 is worthy 00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:00.080 of our 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:00.440 worship. 00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:03.140 So the 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.600 question is, 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:03.900 what will 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.299 we do 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.640 with this 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:04.940 king? 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:06.759 Will you 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.220 be afraid 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.620 to lose 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.140 control of 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.539 your life? 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.279 Or will 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.940 you joyfully 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.600 open your 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.519 treasures at 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.940 his feet? 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.019 These are 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.539 the only two 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.059 options. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.940 Jesus 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.480 claims 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.279 jurisdiction 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.180 over all 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.680 nations, 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.220 every 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.820 person. 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:27.559 he says 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.039 in Matthew 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.579 11, 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.559 all things 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:30.939 have been 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.819 handed over 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.599 to me 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.339 by my 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.779 father. 00:27:36.179 --> 00:27:36.819 What a 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.159 claim. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.159 And again, 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:40.679 after he 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.059 gets the 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:41.639 victory on 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.079 the cross, 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:43.419 rising to 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:43.879 resurrected 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.779 life, some 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.460 of his last 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:45.899 words in 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:46.419 Matthew are, 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.679 all authority 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.500 in heaven and 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.039 on earth has 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.460 been given 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.960 to me. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:57.700 Abraham 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.819 Cooper 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.980 famously 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.400 said, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.519 there is 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:01.880 not a 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.360 square 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:04.240 inch in 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.860 the whole 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.759 domain of 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.400 our human 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.200 existence 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.700 over which 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.900 Christ, who 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.600 is sovereign 00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.319 over all, 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.900 does not 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.400 cry, 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:13.460 mine. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.559 Mine. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.819 What we do 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.160 with our 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.640 bodies, 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:20.240 our 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.640 church 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.259 services, 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.000 our drive 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.660 to work, 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.560 our country, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.000 our homes, 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.820 our Netflix, 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.440 our Instagram 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.160 feed, our 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.880 sport, our 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.620 evenings, our 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.420 mornings, our 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.060 eating, our 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:34.120 drinking, our 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.840 work, our 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.640 relationships, our 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.240 parenting, our 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.620 health, our 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:41.000 leisure time, our 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.720 sleeping, our 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.620 bank accounts, our 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.280 words, our 00:28:43.280 --> 00:28:44.740 desires, mine. 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:50.420 What will you 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.019 do with this 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.339 king? 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.779 Will you be 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.559 afraid to lose 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.299 control of your 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.400 life or will 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.640 you joyfully open 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.480 up all these 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.460 treasures at his 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.720 feet? 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.299 I think how we're 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.960 going to respond is 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.259 going to be 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.980 dependent on two 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.319 things. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.440 Firstly, will 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:09.299 we realise that 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.000 we aren't very 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.759 good at ruling 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.519 our own life? 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:16.579 If we think 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.019 we're good at 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.220 it, then you're 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.599 going to have no 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.379 time for Jesus. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.500 So GK 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.700 Chesterton famously 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.559 responded to a 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.480 news column that 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.160 asked, what is 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.759 wrong with the 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.059 world? 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.539 And he wrote 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:29.940 into the 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.579 newspaper with 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:30.940 the simple 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.819 words, I 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:33.039 am, and 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.619 signed off. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.879 I am. 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.539 Why is this 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.099 relationship 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.660 struggling? 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.600 I am. 00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:46.380 I am the 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.680 problem. 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.400 Matthew has 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.240 already told us 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.040 that this king's 00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.920 name is Jesus 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:54.019 because he will 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.960 save his people 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.860 from their sins. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.100 We're not good 00:29:58.100 --> 00:30:00.420 at being in 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.720 charge. 00:30:00.820 --> 00:30:01.680 I am not good 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.279 at being in 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.620 charge. 00:30:05.320 --> 00:30:05.960 The other 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.460 thing we need 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.140 to know to 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.960 joyfully open 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.420 our treasures 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.019 at his feet 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:10.560 is, is he a 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:11.100 good king? 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.440 is he a good 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.740 king? 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.900 To really 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.320 answer that, we 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.900 don't have time 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.380 this morning. 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.500 We need to listen 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:22.980 to the rest of 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.960 Matthew and get 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.540 to know Jesus 00:30:24.540 --> 00:30:24.840 better. 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:28.259 But for now, I 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.640 just want to 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.460 quickly go back to 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.080 Matthew 11. 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.600 After he said, 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.740 all things have 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.560 been handed over 00:30:33.560 --> 00:30:34.279 to me by my 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.980 father, here's his 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.300 invitation to come 00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:38.240 under his authority. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.279 He says, come to 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.500 me. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.059 Come to me, all 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.099 you who are weary 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:46.259 and burdened, and 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.839 I will give you 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.460 rest. 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:51.240 Take my yoke upon 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.579 you. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.460 In other words, 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.160 come under my 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:55.819 rule and learn 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.299 from me. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.839 Why? 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:56.920 Why? 00:30:56.920 --> 00:31:00.580 For I am gentle 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:03.019 and humble in 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:05.840 heart, and you 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.680 will find rest for 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.160 your souls. 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:10.660 He uses his 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.800 authority to serve 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:13.340 us, which is 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:13.759 incredible. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:19.500 The problem in 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.259 trusting Jesus 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.900 isn't that God 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.460 hasn't made it 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.900 clear. 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.379 Matthew has 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:25.220 shown us that 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.259 Jesus is the 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.019 answer to God's 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.180 promises, very 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.700 obviously. 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.259 The question 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.099 is, will we 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:35.299 try and control 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:35.960 our lives? 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.779 Will you be 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.359 afraid and try 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:39.940 and stay in 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.339 control? 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:42.939 Or will you 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.720 be drawn by 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.599 God to come 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.399 and see more 00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:46.220 and more of 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.339 this Jesus, get 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.819 to know him 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.559 better, and 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:50.220 rejoice exceedingly 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.539 with great joy 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:53.919 as you find rest 00:31:53.919 --> 00:31:54.559 for your souls? 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.179 That's our 00:31:56.179 --> 00:31:56.579 choice. 00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:59.119 Will you pray 00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.539 with me as we 00:31:59.539 --> 00:31:59.799 finish? 00:31:59.959 --> 00:32:00.240 Let's pray. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:13.639 Father, I pray 00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:14.279 that you would 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.159 show Jesus to 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.879 each of us in 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.399 our hearts. 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.740 Please show 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:22.539 us just how 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.879 we aren't good 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.419 at controlling 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.199 our own lives. 00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.899 Please convict 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.639 each one of us 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:30.299 of that afresh. 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.319 And please show 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:35.359 us that Jesus 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.240 really is in 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.599 charge. 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:38.439 And please 00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:39.079 show us the 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.139 goodness of 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.480 Jesus. 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:41.939 We praise you 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.959 that even 00:32:42.959 --> 00:32:43.500 though you 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:43.959 have all 00:32:43.959 --> 00:32:44.740 authority, you 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.259 are gentle. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.240 We praise you 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:50.439 that you 00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:51.000 offer us 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.579 rest. 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.159 We don't 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:53.879 deserve it, but 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.519 that's what you 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.019 offer us. 00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:55.619 We thank you 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.000 for that. 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:57.699 Father, I pray 00:32:57.699 --> 00:32:58.099 that you would 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.079 reveal your son 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:00.159 to us more 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.079 and more as 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:01.799 we listen to 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.159 Matthew. 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:04.959 And I pray 00:33:04.959 --> 00:33:05.299 that you would 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:06.000 give each one 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.680 of us rest, 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.339 that we would 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.640 joyfully open 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.519 up our life, 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.460 giving it to 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:12.799 you. 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.920 In Jesus' 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:15.460 name I pray. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:15.940 Amen.