WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.459 Well, Merry Christmas, everyone. 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:08.140 I thought I would start with controversy. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:09.599 Let's talk politics. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:15.919 Now, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:25.440 you've got to admit that the field of Republican presidential candidates 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:28.339 consists of some very unique personalities. 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:30.920 You've got to admit it. 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:36.119 And so I'm not about to advocate one candidate over the other here, 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:39.679 but let me, I mean, there is a significant contrast 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:43.259 between one Donald Trump and one Jeb Bush. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:45.879 I mean, one is very brash. 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:47.740 The other is quite reserved. 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:51.560 Sharp contrast between the two. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:54.620 And when we get into the actual debates 00:00:54.619 --> 00:00:58.399 between the Republican nominee and the Democratic nominee, 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:00.399 we'll have some more contrasts. 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:07.459 All vying for the top position in the land. 00:01:07.459 --> 00:01:12.780 This morning, as we prepare our hearts for this week, 00:01:13.759 --> 00:01:14.780 celebrating Christmas, 00:01:15.539 --> 00:01:19.379 we're going to look at this passage in Matthew 2, 1-12, 00:01:20.039 --> 00:01:24.199 a passage that brings out contrasts 00:01:24.199 --> 00:01:27.079 to help us see who is the one true king. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:36.980 Matthew makes some contrasts between Herod and Jesus, 00:01:37.539 --> 00:01:39.200 and we're left asking, 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:42.000 well, which one is the true king of the Jews? 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:49.760 The Magi, who were Gentiles, 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:52.540 point us to the real king. 00:01:54.760 --> 00:01:56.859 And he's not just the king of the Jews, 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:58.159 he's the king of all. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:01.760 And all are to bow down and worship him. 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:05.140 And so this morning, 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:07.280 here's how I'd like to move us forward. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:09.020 We're going to walk through the story, 00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:10.199 verses 1-12, 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:13.099 and I want you to see five contrasts. 00:02:13.739 --> 00:02:16.699 And those contrasts are going to help us to see 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:19.599 who is the one true king. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:22.639 I'll walk through the story, 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:24.199 we'll make the point, 00:02:24.579 --> 00:02:26.000 and we'll ask the question, 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:27.079 so what? 00:02:27.459 --> 00:02:30.239 What difference does this make for us now? 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:32.399 So let's look at this story. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:34.539 Five contrasts. 00:02:34.739 --> 00:02:37.899 And the first contrast begins in the very first verse. 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:43.280 Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:44.959 in the days of Herod the king, 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:48.859 we already have our two candidates, so to speak. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:52.819 Jesus and Herod for king of the Jews. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:53.479 Which one? 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:56.639 And where the gospel writer points us to 00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:59.479 is he's talking about birthplace. 00:03:00.359 --> 00:03:01.579 There's a contrast 00:03:01.579 --> 00:03:04.799 in where each of these people were born. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:07.080 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 00:03:07.760 --> 00:03:08.480 We know that. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:15.540 And Bethlehem was outside of Jerusalem 00:03:15.540 --> 00:03:17.580 in southern Israel. 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:20.020 But what you may not remember 00:03:20.020 --> 00:03:22.080 is that Jesus was also, 00:03:22.180 --> 00:03:23.540 he grew up in Nazareth, 00:03:24.100 --> 00:03:26.760 which is in northern Israel, 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:28.300 around the Sea of Galilee. 00:03:28.300 --> 00:03:29.980 And so one of the things Matthew's doing here 00:03:29.980 --> 00:03:31.680 is helping people understand 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:34.520 why this Jesus of Nazareth 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:36.340 was actually born in Bethlehem. 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:39.080 And what we all know about Bethlehem is 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:41.000 it's the hometown of David. 00:03:41.880 --> 00:03:43.540 That's where King David was born. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:45.580 That's where he grew up. 00:03:46.320 --> 00:03:47.800 And so what Matthew is doing here 00:03:47.800 --> 00:03:50.060 is helping us link Jesus 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:52.180 to the kingship of David. 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:53.800 And he spent a lot of time 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:56.120 in chapter 1 doing the very same thing. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.920 Today, Jesus is from the line of David. 00:03:59.580 --> 00:04:01.460 He has a birthright to the throne. 00:04:04.099 --> 00:04:05.700 Now Herod, on the other hand, 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:09.640 he's not from Bethlehem. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:12.659 He's an Edomite. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:15.480 He was born outside of Israel. 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:18.699 Edom was south of Israel. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:21.660 In a little background on Herod, 00:04:21.699 --> 00:04:22.939 in 40 A.D., 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:26.079 he was declared to be the king of Judea 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:27.539 by the Roman Senate. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:30.560 He was declared to be the king of the Jews 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.000 by the Roman Senate. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:36.259 So he was not Jewish. 00:04:36.919 --> 00:04:38.800 And the Jews held that against him. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.300 And so the throne was not his birthright. 00:04:42.620 --> 00:04:44.379 And he actually married into 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.719 a very powerful Jewish family of the time. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:49.320 And so what we have here 00:04:49.320 --> 00:04:50.180 at the very outset 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:53.640 is a contrast of birthplaces. 00:04:54.580 --> 00:04:56.160 And we have to ask the question, 00:04:56.320 --> 00:04:59.080 well, which one points to the one true king? 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:02.500 Jesus was born in Bethlehem, 00:05:03.200 --> 00:05:05.200 but not Herod. 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:08.140 So that's contrast number one. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:09.620 Contrast number two, 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:13.139 who the Magi sought. 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:17.459 We see that at the second half of verse one 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:19.160 and into verse two. 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:21.579 Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:24.620 Now, you've got to remember, 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:26.340 these wise men from the east, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:28.139 east is most likely Babylon. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:32.420 And the perspective here is east of Israel, 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:33.540 east of Jerusalem. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:35.780 So Babylon would have been to the right. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:39.740 Hundreds of miles away. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:43.140 And what is important to note is 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:44.780 at that time in Babylon, 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:47.080 there was a significant Jewish settlement. 00:05:48.140 --> 00:05:50.540 And so these Magi's could very well, 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:52.340 likely have been influenced 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:55.560 by the Jews living in Babylon at the time. 00:05:55.640 --> 00:05:59.320 Now, Magi were Gentiles, non-Jews. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.540 And these Magi were astrologers 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:03.819 and dream interpreters. 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:05.260 And so they studied the stars. 00:06:06.140 --> 00:06:07.939 They tried to make sense of dreams. 00:06:09.280 --> 00:06:10.340 And so isn't it interesting 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:14.400 that God leads them by a star. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:16.520 He leads them by a dream 00:06:16.520 --> 00:06:17.580 at the end of this section. 00:06:19.140 --> 00:06:21.040 What you need to see about these Magi 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:22.620 is that they're Magi on a mission. 00:06:24.900 --> 00:06:26.780 They've come to Jerusalem for something. 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:27.879 They're looking. 00:06:28.640 --> 00:06:29.759 And we see that in verse two. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:32.180 They come to Jerusalem. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:34.319 And they're saying, 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:38.300 where is he who's been born King of the Jews? 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:43.700 Where is the one born King of the Jews? 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.260 They're not saying, 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.780 hey, where's the one who was voted in 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:48.960 as King of Judea? 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:50.540 They're not asking that. 00:06:51.840 --> 00:06:52.720 They're saying, 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:55.800 where's the one who is by birthright 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.800 King of the Jews right now? 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.500 That's what they're looking for. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:04.139 And they go on to say 00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:08.060 that we've been following His star. 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:10.280 His star. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:12.379 Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:14.540 Where we saw His star when it arose. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:16.639 His star. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:18.519 At that time, 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:21.460 when there was a star that would appear 00:07:21.460 --> 00:07:23.439 that corresponded to someone's birth, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.560 it was a huge deal. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.459 And so somehow, 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:28.519 these Magi, 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:31.019 seeing this star appear, 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:33.019 and somehow being influenced 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:35.519 by Jewish thinking at the time, 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.699 most likely in Babylon, 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.519 they were putting two and two together. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:38.939 And they were saying, 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:40.360 okay, we're going to Jerusalem. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:43.279 We're going to find this one born King of the Jews. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:46.619 It kind of begs the question, 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:49.139 did they know that this King of the Jews 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.979 would be God with us? 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:51.739 God in the flesh? 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.859 Well, we don't know that. 00:07:54.119 --> 00:07:57.699 But we know what Matthew says now. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.659 That this baby that they're searching for 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:04.279 is in fact God in the flesh. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:11.079 So here we have these Magi on a mission. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.799 And at the end of verse 2, 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:13.739 they say, 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.000 for we saw His star 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.779 and have come to worship Him. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.539 Come to pay Him homage. 00:08:22.559 --> 00:08:24.219 Come to bring tribute. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:27.659 Come to recognize this one greater than us. 00:08:28.059 --> 00:08:33.139 We have Gentiles coming to worship a Jewish king. 00:08:34.079 --> 00:08:34.600 It's amazing. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:39.899 This word worship shows up three times 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.319 in this passage alone. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.959 It's a significant theme. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:43.639 Worship. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:45.659 Worship. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:47.539 Worship this king. 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:51.019 So here we have foreign diplomats 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:53.779 paying homage to someone greater than they are, 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:57.240 this baby born a king, 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.699 king of the Jews. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:02.660 We know Him as Emmanuel. 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:04.700 We know Him as Emmanuel. 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.900 Here's the contrast. 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:14.140 It's not explicitly stated, 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:14.780 but it's there. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:19.399 These Magi come to Jerusalem 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:21.279 where Herod would have been reigning. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:25.360 And they're asking around the city, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:29.240 hey, where is this one born king of the Jews? 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:31.039 Where is he? 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:32.980 Do you know who they're not asking for? 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:36.740 They're not asking for Herod. 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:37.740 They're looking for a child. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:39.860 They're looking for a child. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.419 A child marked by this star. 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:50.139 And so there's a contrast in who the Magi sought. 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:53.439 Which one is the true king of kings? 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:54.519 The king of the Jews? 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:00.580 The third contrast I want to help you see 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:02.379 is the contrast of plans. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:06.500 If you look at verse 3, we read this. 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:08.360 When Herod the king heard this, 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:10.419 he heard the mumbling. 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:12.879 He heard that there were Magi in town. 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:13.919 He heard that they were looking 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:15.720 for the one born king of the Jews. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:19.259 When Herod the king heard this, 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:21.840 he was troubled. 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.600 What was he troubled about? 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:29.820 Was he troubled about a baby 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:31.980 born under his reign? 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.259 Was that what he was troubled about? 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.659 Here's what he was troubled about. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.800 He was troubled that there was now 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:41.899 a rival claim to his throne. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.399 That's what troubled him. 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.840 There's someone else in the kingdom 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:51.360 who is being said is the king of the Jews 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.840 by birthright. 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:55.220 Born king of the Jews. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.060 It represented a threat. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:06.060 Herod dealt with threats 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:09.800 in a most disturbing way. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.340 By this point in his reign, 00:11:14.180 --> 00:11:15.320 Herod the great 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.379 was greatly paranoid. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:21.720 And he was a killer. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.860 I read something this week 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.899 that I want to read with you. 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.820 This is one of the people 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:33.179 who help kind of like 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.439 the four Tauruses like me 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:38.240 see things that I normally don't see. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:41.879 And so one of the commentators 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.659 wrote this, 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.919 speaking of Herod. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.299 He was wealthy 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:50.180 and politically gifted, 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.000 intensely loyal, 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:52.919 an excellent administrator, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:54.460 and clever enough 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.560 to remain in the good graces 00:11:55.560 --> 00:11:57.320 of successive Roman emperors. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:59.919 His famine relief was superb 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.000 and his building projects, 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:02.000 including the temple, 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.080 admired even by his foes, 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:05.259 but he loved power, 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.540 inflicted incredible, 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.139 incredible heavy taxes 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.759 on the people, 00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:10.360 and resented the fact 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.060 that many Jews 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:12.300 considered him a usurper. 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:14.240 In his last years, 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.500 which would be 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.940 at the point of this story, 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.480 in his last years, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:20.879 suffering an illness 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.940 that compounded his paranoia 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:25.420 turned to cruelty 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:27.060 and in fits of rage 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:27.639 and jealousy 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:29.300 killed close associates, 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:31.280 his wife Miriam, 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:33.519 and at least two of his sons. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:36.000 This man, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.279 this Herod the Great, 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:40.799 is troubled 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:43.939 and his troubledness 00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:45.039 runs deep. 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:49.860 He sees this announcement, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:53.559 this potential king 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:55.059 as a threat to him. 00:12:58.819 --> 00:12:59.899 We notice too 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.980 that all Jerusalem 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.159 was troubled with him. 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:02.740 The best way 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.460 to understand that 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:03.860 is this. 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.740 If Herod ain't happy, 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.759 nobody else 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.120 in Jerusalem is happy. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:10.680 I mean, 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.340 think about it. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.820 You're someone 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.700 living in Jerusalem 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:16.220 and these foreign dignitaries 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.139 come into the city 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.460 and they're asking, 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.420 where is this king 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:21.860 of the Jews, 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.860 this one born king 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.399 of the Jews? 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:24.899 And you're thinking, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.039 oh, this isn't going 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.440 to be good. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.580 This isn't going 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:29.000 to be good 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:30.659 because freak show, 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.360 Herod, 00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:32.339 in the throne 00:13:32.339 --> 00:13:32.819 right now, 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.360 is not going 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.240 to like this. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.500 And so, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.179 in verse 4, 00:13:43.719 --> 00:13:44.819 we see what 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:45.719 Herod does. 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:47.519 This guy, 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.659 this guy's a rascal. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.980 And assembling 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.159 all the chief priests 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:53.819 and scribes 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.399 of the people, 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:56.179 he inquired of them 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:57.279 where the Christ 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.000 was to be born. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.699 So, he gets word, 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.360 he's troubled, 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:02.579 and then he goes 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:04.219 into political 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:05.000 Simonizing. 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:05.539 Do you know 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:07.100 what Simonizing is? 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:08.100 My father-in-law 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.059 uses Simonize. 00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:10.600 It's you start planning. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.219 You get the political 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.779 kind of wheels turning. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:14.779 You're like, 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.100 okay, 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.100 we've got a potential 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.699 threat here. 00:14:16.839 --> 00:14:17.259 How are we going 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:17.819 to handle this? 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.539 We've got to figure out 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.759 kind of the scope 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.439 of this 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:21.799 in order 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.240 how to handle it. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.039 And so, 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.500 being very politically 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.100 savvy, 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:29.019 Herod calls in 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.799 kind of the religious 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.460 elite 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.299 in Jerusalem 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:32.059 at the time. 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.059 And he asks them 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.819 the question, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.439 where is the Christ 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:39.080 to be born? 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:42.879 He's setting a plan 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.320 in motion. 00:14:44.280 --> 00:14:45.220 We don't know it 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:45.720 quite yet. 00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:46.200 He'll come out 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:46.660 in a second. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.139 But he does not 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:49.639 have something 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.280 good in mind. 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:54.600 So, 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.379 he brings these 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.020 kind of religious 00:14:56.020 --> 00:14:56.879 elite together 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.780 and he asks them, 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.620 where is the Christ 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.000 to be born? 00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.160 Now, 00:14:59.220 --> 00:14:59.780 there is a really 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:00.540 subtle point 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:01.020 to be made. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.480 The Magi come in 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.080 asking, 00:15:03.660 --> 00:15:04.960 where is this one 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.759 born king 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.360 of the Jews? 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.460 And now, 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.620 we see Herod 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.419 asking these 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.200 religious elite, 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.259 where is the Christ 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.980 to be born? 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.320 And so, 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.080 we see this 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.200 connection between 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.460 king of the Jews 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.220 and the Christ. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.139 They're one and the same. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.360 The long-awaited one. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.519 The promised one 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:20.940 of God. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.460 Where is he 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:22.940 to be born? 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.259 And so, 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.740 these religious elite 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.539 answer Herod 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.240 very quickly. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:29.980 They know right 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.720 off the top of their head 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.120 where he's going 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:31.440 to be born. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.220 They say in verse 5, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.740 they told him, 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.840 in Bethlehem of Judea. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.639 The second time 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.440 that phrase is used. 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:38.940 For so it is written 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.620 by the prophet. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.080 Written through the prophet. 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:43.139 God spoke through the prophet. 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.220 God has a plan. 00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:48.460 And this baby 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.820 fulfilled that plan. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.280 It's not a Simonizing plan 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.780 of a tyrant king. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.639 It's God's plan 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:57.460 for the salvation 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.480 of the world. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.139 And so, 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.940 what they do is 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:03.620 they quote 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:05.500 Micah 5.2. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.000 But it's a combined quote. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.360 It's more than Micah 5.2. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:09.419 It's Micah 5.2 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:11.899 and 2 Samuel 5.2. 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.399 So they're kind of 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.580 squished together. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:16.039 And what it functions as 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:18.080 is a prophetic stamp 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:18.740 saying, 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.740 this is legit. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.779 This is God's plan. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.600 We've already seen 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.899 Matthew do this 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.100 in the section before 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.259 where he quotes 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.559 Isaiah 7.14. 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.519 This baby 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.340 born of a virgin 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:30.000 is Emmanuel. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.620 It's Jesus. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.120 And next week 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.740 we're going to see him 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.019 do this three more times 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.740 where he says 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:36.279 that this baby 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.320 and his life 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.960 fulfill what God 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.220 had said beforehand 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.120 in the Old Testament. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.299 It's all about 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.000 God's plan. 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.860 And so this quote, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.220 the Micah 5.2 part 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.940 is the first part. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 And you, O Bethlehem 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.279 and the land of Judah 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.799 and by no means 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.720 least among the rulers. 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:55.120 What he's doing there 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:55.759 is yes, 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.680 it was God's plan 00:16:57.680 --> 00:16:59.060 for the Christ 00:16:59.060 --> 00:17:00.680 to be born in Bethlehem. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.220 That location is legit. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.519 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.980 And then he goes on 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.620 to talk about 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.420 in the second half, 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.839 for from you, 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.620 this is the 2 Samuel 5.2 part, 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:13.339 for from you shall come 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:15.019 a ruler who shall shepherd 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.519 my people Israel. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.940 The significance is 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.019 ruler and shepherd. 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.620 What's being talked about 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.420 is kingship. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.960 And when you hear 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.600 the words shepherd king, 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.339 who comes to your mind 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.140 but David? 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.400 And so this quote 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.559 has David-ness 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.360 all about it. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.600 Kingship. 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.400 But why it's being quoted 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.380 is to help us to see 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:47.360 that this is God's plan. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.660 And might I add, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.720 God's loving plan. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:54.400 For God so loved the world 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:56.279 that He gave His only Son. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.600 This is His plan 00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:00.180 for our good, 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.120 for the salvation of all. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:05.299 It fulfills God's forever plan. 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.640 And so what we see going on 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.220 in this section 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.819 is a contrast. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:14.420 Herod's political Simonizing. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.480 The wheels are turning. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.720 Jesus, 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:21.460 the fulfillment of God's plan. 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:22.519 See the contrast? 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.279 The next contrast I want you to see 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.099 is a contrast 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:30.000 in character. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.000 We see this come out 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.680 in verse 7 and 8. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:37.580 Then Herod summoned 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.860 the wise men secretly 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:40.259 and ascertained from them 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.360 what time the star 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:41.900 had appeared. 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.560 Okay, so this is the first time 00:18:44.560 --> 00:18:45.740 we see Herod talking 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.700 to the Magi 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:49.019 and it's a hush-hush meeting. 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.140 He calls the men in secret. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.380 He wants to get some information 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:54.840 from them. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.960 He's still Simonizing. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:58.120 He's still enacting a plan. 00:18:58.119 --> 00:19:00.679 But what you need to understand 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:03.279 is that it's a murderous plan. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:06.559 Do you see Him ascertaining 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:08.339 when the time the star had appeared? 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:10.339 Do you know why He's asking that question? 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.619 Here's why. 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.099 He knows it corresponds 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:19.199 to the birth of the Christ. 00:19:20.459 --> 00:19:21.359 And so do you know what He's doing? 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:24.419 He's narrowing the field 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.979 of possible threats. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:32.119 He's trying to find an age range 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:35.379 of how old this boy is. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.619 Later on in this passage, 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.679 God appears to a dream 00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.979 to the wise men. 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.519 They don't go back to Herod. 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.099 And then in the next verse, 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:46.819 if you want to look ahead 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.719 to verse 16, 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.759 Herod flips out. 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.419 He's furious. 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.239 And look what he does. 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.099 Then Herod, when he saw 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.399 that he had been tricked 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.199 by the wise men, 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.099 became furious 00:19:58.099 --> 00:20:00.119 and he sent and killed 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.199 all the male children 00:20:01.199 --> 00:20:02.179 in Bethlehem 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.459 and all that region 00:20:03.459 --> 00:20:05.639 who were two years old or under 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:07.099 according to the time 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:08.079 he had ascertained 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.939 from the wise men. 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:12.119 Do you see why He's asking 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.959 this question? 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:17.000 He's trying to remove 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.899 His threat. 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:22.179 This is not a good man. 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.820 verse 8. 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:27.820 Verse 8. 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.160 He continues the con job. 00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:32.860 He sends them to Bethlehem 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.200 saying, 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.580 Go and search diligently 00:20:34.580 --> 00:20:35.340 for the child 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:36.960 and when you found him, 00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:37.740 bring me word 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:40.920 that I too may worship him. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.080 This is the second time 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:46.200 that word worship is used 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.940 in this passage. 00:20:47.840 --> 00:20:48.900 The word worship is used 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:50.420 13 times in Matthew. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:52.100 Nine of the 13 times 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.759 are about worshiping Jesus. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.920 One of them is this time. 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:59.580 But it is tongue-in-cheek 00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:00.220 at best. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.519 He has no intention 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.480 of worshiping Jesus. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.980 The reason why he wants 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.140 to know where Jesus is 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.220 is not to worship him. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.480 It's to kill him. 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.180 He's a threat. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:18.019 So he cons the magi. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.240 He sends them to Bethlehem 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:23.360 with the expert information 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:23.960 he's learned 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.980 from the religious elite. 00:21:25.320 --> 00:21:26.039 Yeah, I learned that 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.700 they're in Bethlehem. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.080 Go. 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.980 Go find him. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.320 Let me know the house address 00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:30.560 and I'll come worship him. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.680 That's not what's going on. 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.799 He's conning them. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.480 He's deceiving them. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:40.480 So the contrast going on here 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.960 is this self-serving tyrant, 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:45.220 this con man killer 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:50.420 with the shepherd king 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.259 who's a baby. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.400 And what we know 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.539 about the shepherd king 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:56.400 is that he's going to give 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:58.360 his life as a ransom for many. 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:02.900 Herod is self-serving. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:06.440 Jesus is self-sacrificial. 00:22:09.580 --> 00:22:10.660 One is a killer. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.880 The other is the Savior. 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:17.800 This contrast points to 00:22:17.800 --> 00:22:20.040 who is the real king of the Jews. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:24.320 The last contrast I want you to see 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:25.600 is a contrast of worship. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:28.200 In verses 9 through 12, 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:31.000 Jesus is worshipped. 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.599 In verse 9, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:35.180 the magi listen to the king 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.339 and they go. 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.400 They go on their way 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.420 five or six miles 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.960 to Bethlehem from Jerusalem. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.660 The star reappears. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.000 Remember, it's his star. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.299 Verse 2. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:49.079 The star of the Christ child, Jesus. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.619 It's God leading them. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:55.420 God wants these Gentile magi 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:57.119 to find the king of the Jews 00:22:57.119 --> 00:22:58.660 so that they can worship Him. 00:22:58.660 --> 00:23:01.480 And He's not just king of the Jews. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.680 He's king of all. 00:23:02.800 --> 00:23:04.440 This is the Savior of the world 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.340 that's been born. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.759 God is salvation. 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:09.880 Jesus. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.720 Emmanuel. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.900 God with us. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.019 That's who this is. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.860 Jesus came not just for Jews, 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.840 but for all people. 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.759 And just as a side note, 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.279 you know what? 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.519 Here are the religious elite. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.119 They know exactly where 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.920 the Christ is to be born, 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:31.079 but they don't go. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.660 These Gentiles are the ones 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.440 that are sent. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:42.139 Well, the star went before them. 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.240 It literally led them. 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.980 And then the star came to rest. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.500 It literally stopped moving 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.559 over the place 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:51.920 where Jesus was residing in Bethlehem. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.039 It had an address. 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.259 We don't know the address, 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:59.000 but it was a specific place. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:01.380 And there are all sorts of theories 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.920 that want to explain, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.640 try to explain the star. 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:07.840 And so maybe it was 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:09.140 the alignment of planets. 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.820 Maybe it was a comet. 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.600 Maybe it was a huge explosion, 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.440 a supernova, 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:14.560 just at the right time. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.920 They're all means. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:19.200 God could have used any of those. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:21.860 But what you can't miss 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:24.200 is that this was supernatural. 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:28.180 God was making it clear. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:33.140 God was using these kind of natural means 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:35.240 for His supernatural purposes. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.840 God was leading the Magi 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:44.539 to the King of Jews. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:47.960 His birth 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:51.519 was that important. 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:58.420 Now in verses 10 and 11, 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.680 you see these Magi, 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.399 they are thrilled. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.579 When they saw the star, 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.259 they rejoiced exceedingly 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.980 with great joy. 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.500 One commentator said 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:09.500 they were delirious with joy. 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:11.399 I mean, they get to the house. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.220 They've journeyed from Babylon. 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:15.339 It's been a long time. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.960 They've wanted to see this baby. 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.660 And so now they're at the house. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.579 Can you believe it? 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:24.460 I'm reminded of, 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:26.640 Jenny and I adopted our youngest 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.700 from China. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:30.279 And it was a four and a half year process 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.380 capped by a huge trip. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:35.299 And we were counting down the days. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.180 We were counting down the days 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.259 to gotcha day 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:40.559 when we gotcha'd Mary. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.160 It was awesome. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.200 And I'll never forget. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.200 We have video of this 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:47.259 being in our hotel room 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.800 in Nanchung. 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.960 And we are literally 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.500 counting down the minutes. 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.620 We're so thrilled. 00:25:55.040 --> 00:25:56.040 We can't believe it. 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:57.080 The time has come. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.720 And I'll never forget 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:00.180 being down in this hotel 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:02.180 and being on the other side 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.880 of the door 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:04.259 of our baby. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.259 It's palpable. 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.660 We are so excited. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.680 We're surrounded by people 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.080 who are just as excited. 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.539 Exceeding joy 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:16.519 at the prospect 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.680 of seeing 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:19.120 a baby. 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:20.820 A child. 00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:24.340 And this is no ordinary child. 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:25.460 This is Emmanuel. 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.660 Well, 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:27.440 God with us. 00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:29.140 The offspring 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.940 of Abraham 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:32.560 who would bring salvation 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.740 to all the peoples 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.320 of the world. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:38.200 So you can see 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.700 why they're a little 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.619 geeked about this. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.559 So the star 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.279 leads them 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.119 to the house 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:48.700 and they walk in 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.819 and they find 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:51.480 this baby Jesus 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.359 chilling 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.539 with his mama. 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:57.159 And going into the house 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:57.919 they saw the child 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.379 with Mary, 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.839 his mother. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:02.619 And they fell down 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.419 and worshipped him. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.039 Joy to the world. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.659 The Lord has come. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.299 Let earth receive 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.819 her king. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.639 They fell down 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.419 and worshipped him. 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.839 This is the third time 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.579 that word worship 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.179 is used. 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.079 This passage 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.939 is all about worship. 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.740 It's all about 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.660 the worship of the one 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.140 true king. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.779 And Jesus 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.160 is the one 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.279 true king. 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.259 Notice, 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.559 they gave him gifts. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.480 They gave him gifts. 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.380 Gold, frankincense, 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.759 and myrrh. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.700 There's no need 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.700 to kind of 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:42.420 overly complicate 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:42.980 these gifts. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.859 There's no need 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:46.420 to super spiritualize them, 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.759 to go deep 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.140 into symbolism of them. 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.880 Here's what you can know. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.960 There's no other resident 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.900 in the town of Bethlehem 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.460 that would have received 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.500 gifts like these. 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:01.200 Because these are gifts 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:03.160 fit for a king. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.220 These are for a king. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.160 Turns out, 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.779 Isaiah chapter 60, 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.579 verse 6, 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.860 a messianic passage, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:20.039 points to people, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.720 Gentiles, 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.920 coming to the Messiah 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.960 and offering him 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.039 golden frankincense. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.860 These Gentiles 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.660 were worshiping 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.840 the king of the Jews. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.940 And if there had been 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.620 any other question 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.340 up to this point, 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.519 Matthew's making it clear 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.220 that salvation 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.140 is for all people. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.860 The focus 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:45.580 of these magi's worship 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.940 is Jesus, 00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:47.920 and Jesus 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.000 is the focus 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.180 of God's plan 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.039 of salvation. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.460 He's a Jewish king 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.400 for all people. 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.519 Bow down 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.220 and worship him. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.839 Bow down 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.519 and worship him. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.259 Verse 12, 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.200 we're not told how. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:01.980 We don't know 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.339 how long the magi stayed, 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.960 but it must have been 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.799 at least one night 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.819 because they had a dream, 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.720 and in that dream 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.359 they were told, 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.140 by God, 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.460 inferred, 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.200 but told, 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.559 don't go back to Herod. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.619 So they go another way. 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.720 Don't go back 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.480 to that con man. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.259 Go home another way. 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.319 So here's the contrast. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.819 It's a contrast 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:24.319 of who is worshiped. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:27.039 The magi worship 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.579 King Jesus, 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.640 Emmanuel, 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:32.019 the long-anticipated one. 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.819 But the magi 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.140 avoid King Herod. 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:41.960 They keep away from him. 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.279 They draw near to Jesus, 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:46.799 but steer clear of Herod. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.079 So what is this passage 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.639 all about? 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.879 Well, these contrasts 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.279 point to the one true king. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.059 Jesus. 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.480 He's the king of the Jews. 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.500 He's the king of all. 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.740 And so this Christmas, 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.980 we worship him. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.899 We bow down 00:30:11.899 --> 00:30:12.579 and worship him. 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.879 We give him 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:16.379 the most valuable gift 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.799 we can, 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.539 our lives. 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.639 We live for him. 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.779 He's worthy. 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.899 He's the real king. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.500 He's Emmanuel. 00:30:25.699 --> 00:30:25.859 You know, 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.679 it's not in this text, 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.319 this passage, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.599 but there is one 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:31.000 other contrast. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.839 Herod died 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:36.279 and stayed dead. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:39.299 It's said 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:41.000 that the day 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.019 that Herod died, 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:44.039 he had prisoners 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.139 executed 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:46.579 to ensure 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.940 there was mourning 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:49.460 in Jerusalem 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:51.019 on the day he died. 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:53.879 He was a tyrant. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.960 But King Jesus, 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:57.720 he died. 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.379 He gave his life 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.440 as a ransom for many, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.660 right? 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.399 Amen. 00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.940 But he didn't stay dead. 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.480 He was raised 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.279 on the third day. 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:03.920 Amen. 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:05.240 And he's reigning 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.140 right now 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.680 at the right hand 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.160 of the Father. 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:07.700 Amen. 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.880 And he's going to come back 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.800 and when he comes back 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.740 as a warrior, 00:31:13.300 --> 00:31:14.820 every knee shall bow 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:16.519 and every tongue confess 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:18.759 that Jesus the Christ 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:20.200 is Lord. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.779 He's King of all. 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.900 Amen. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.000 Amen. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.740 Two so what's. 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.940 So what number one. 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:35.980 If you're not a follower 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.279 of King Jesus, 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:40.220 bow your knee by faith. 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:42.640 Become a follower 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.320 of the King. 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:47.100 Come under His glorious reign. 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:49.060 Don't rebel against it. 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:51.039 Come under it. 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.240 And find life 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:55.620 and joy inexpressible. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.300 The Gospels, 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:01.160 Matthew as well, 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.320 are designed to introduce 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.079 King Jesus 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.299 to people 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.220 who don't know Him. 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:09.539 Do you know 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.980 King Emmanuel? 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.319 Have you come 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.259 under His reign? 00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:14.980 Have you bowed 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.879 your knee by faith? 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.319 Have you recognized 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.240 that you are 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.099 a sinner 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.639 who has been 00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:20.159 a rebellion 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:20.980 against Him 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.899 and that you need 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:23.740 to turn from that 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.779 and come under 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.980 His glorious reign? 00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:27.319 Have you seen that? 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:28.119 Do you know that? 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:30.059 Bow your knee today. 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:32.259 Become a Christian today. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.200 Here's what you need to do. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.399 You just need to admit it. 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.539 King Jesus, 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.700 I've been rebelling 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.339 against you 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.259 and trying to reign 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.259 over my own life. 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.539 But I see that. 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.480 I'll praise to you. 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:46.799 And I bow my knee 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:48.039 under your reign 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:49.460 and I will follow you 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.740 all the days of my life 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.859 because you're that awesome. 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:57.159 If you're not a Christian, 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.399 become a Christian today. 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:01.019 It's by faith alone. 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:03.299 Bow your knee to King Jesus. 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:08.019 The second so what 00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.599 is this. 00:33:12.199 --> 00:33:12.559 Now, 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:14.199 Christmas is much more 00:33:14.199 --> 00:33:15.199 than one day of the year. 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.240 We all get that, right? 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:22.319 We live every day 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:23.460 in light of our King Jesus. 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.420 We get that. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:27.480 But this week 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:29.319 provides a unique opportunity 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.960 for us as Christians 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.960 to reflect upon 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:36.839 and bow down 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.079 and worship our King. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:42.759 So I have a couple suggestions 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.699 for you this week. 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.199 In light of 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:47.779 it being Christmas, 00:33:48.679 --> 00:33:49.559 in light of 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.639 our Emmanuel, 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.980 first is this. 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.000 Pray. 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.319 Pray that God would use 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.259 the Christmas Eve outreach 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.319 to introduce people 00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:58.960 to King Jesus, 00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:00.279 that people would bow to me. 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.279 Second, 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:07.279 come to the Christmas Eve service. 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.320 come, 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.480 let's worship Him together. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:10.779 Come, 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.599 let's sing Christmas carols 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.639 to our one true King. 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.279 Let's do that together. 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.239 What it's going to be 00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.860 on Christmas Eve 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:18.219 is a bunch of Gentiles 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.960 coming together 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.679 to worship 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:22.199 our Jewish King 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.059 who's King of all. 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:25.860 Oh, come, 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.739 let us adore Him. 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.000 And then, 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.059 this Friday, 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.659 before you exchange gifts, 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.920 maybe it's one gift, 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:39.560 maybe it's five gifts, 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:41.100 but before 00:34:41.100 --> 00:34:42.720 the wrapping paper 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.580 starts flying, 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.519 take a moment, 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:48.560 pull out your Bible, 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.100 read Matthew 2, 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:51.800 1-12, 00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:53.220 read Luke 2, 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:54.140 1-21, 00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:56.260 read Isaiah 7, 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:56.800 14, 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.680 Isaiah 9, 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.500 2-7, 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.600 Micah 5, 00:34:59.660 --> 00:35:00.480 take your pick, 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:03.440 and call to mind 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:06.699 why we are exchanging gifts. 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:08.719 Call to mind 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:11.539 our great King Jesus, 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:12.619 our Emmanuel. 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:15.699 The Magi gave gifts 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:17.179 out of reverence for Jesus. 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.619 Let's give gifts 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.440 to one another 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.840 out of reverence for Jesus. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.340 This is about Him. 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.159 It's about Him. 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:26.980 This passage 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:29.599 provided some contrasts 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:31.539 so that we can see 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.960 that Jesus 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:34.440 is the Christ, 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.920 our one 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:38.579 great King. 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.199 Come all you faithful. 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.480 Let's adore Him. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:46.940 God in Heaven, 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:50.179 we of all people 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:51.099 know the significance 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.980 of this season, 00:35:52.760 --> 00:35:54.559 and we choose 00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.420 to rejoice 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:56.780 and bow down 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:58.019 and worship our King. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:01.199 God, we won't be 00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:02.340 distracted from that. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.420 And so God, 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.599 would You make our hearts 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:07.740 ring all week long 00:36:07.740 --> 00:36:10.039 praises 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:12.679 to Emmanuel. 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.500 In Jesus' name, 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.179 Amen.