Responding to the Christmas Message
12-15-02
Intro:
Text: Matt 2
2:1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6"`But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’"
7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead."
21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." NIV
Can you imagine what it would be like to pick up your newspaper this morning and read about a ruler in Jerusalem slaughtering all the male babies 2 years old and younger in the town of Bethlehem last night? What a shocking atrocity that would be! Yet that was Herod’s response to the coming of Jesus. Suppose another article talked about spiritual leaders from Iraq coming to Jerusalem to find the Messiah. According to them, God had supernaturally revealed to them the Messiah’s coming. That approximates what’s going on in this passage.
It is a story full of surprises. First, we are surprised as to whom it is that is seeking out Jesus. And why are they seeking Him? So they can worship Him. Second, it is surprising that the appointed leader, the man in that day who considered himself King of the Jews,[1] is seeking Jesus for another reason: to kill Him. Third, it is surprising that those who should have shown the greatest interest in welcoming the Messiah wouldn’t travel 5 miles to check it out.[2] Such are the responses to the Christmas message on the first Christmas 2000 years ago.
This morning we want to look at these responses to the Christmas message. An understanding of these responses is just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. The message that the Messiah has come. The message that the Savior is here. People are still responding to that message.
I.st We are introduced to the Magi in verse 1. These were probably astronomers from Persia, which today is Iran or Babylon, which today is Iraq. They were from the East—the Middle East, not the Far East—east of Palestine. Most likely they were from Iraq. Isn’t that interesting in the light of today’s news? This is one of the many, many examples of the authenticity of the word of God. The Bible is not a fairy tale. The characters are not made up by the authors to make their nation look good. Matthew, a Jew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit acknowledges these gentiles as heroes in this story.
There is no Biblical evidence that they were kings, although they were probably men of considerable wealth and influence, highly educated, highly respected, a part of the upper class. We don’t know their names. We do not know how many of them came in their caravan to Jerusalem. Tradition says there were three simply because three gifts were named in the story. There is much that we do not know about these wise men.[3] But what we do know about them is very telling. Of all the people in the world, for some reason God chose to bring these guys in on what He was doing. That’s interesting to me because I would really, really like to be in on what God is doing—wouldn’t you?
What was it about these people that brought them into the presence of Jesus when almost everybody else didn’t have a clue what was going on?
1st They were interested in spiritual matters. They were on a quest for truth. I suspect their knowledge of God was limited. They surely did not know the scriptures like the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem. But they were spiritually hungry and they were using what they did know.
It’s amazing what God can do with a person who is hungry for the truth. His theology may be pretty confused. His background may be questionable. But if in his heart he longs to know God and know God’s desire for his life, and longs to fulfill God’s desire for his life—God will make Himself known to that kind of person. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
I personally believe these people had been influenced by the witness and testimony of a man who lived in Babylon 600 years earlier. He too was a Magus—he too was a wise man in what is now Iraq.[4] In fact, he became the leader of the magi in Babylon. That man’s name was Daniel. Dan 2:47-49 “The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery. Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.” NIV
Not only was Daniel instrumental in leading King Nebuchadnezzar to the Lord (Daniel 7)
but he surely led many of the Magi to serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We know Daniel was a man of the word (Daniel 9) and probably taught them Old Testament scriptures. It is likely that Daniel had taught them from a powerful prophesy in Num 24:17 “…A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…” NIV By revelation these Magi understood the star to be a sign of Christ’s coming.
I’m sure they did not get their revelation in a vacuum. It came line upon line and precept upon precept. It came in the context of previous revelation. It came in the context of a pursuit of truth.
I wish I had time this morning to talk about Daniel’s influence in the Babylonian Empire.
Here is perhaps the influence of this man 600 years after his death. It is a strategic factor in God’s plan. I doubt Daniel realized all that when he was alive. But God was at work fitting Daniel into His eternal plan. I’m sure other godly people--Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego—and many others were used by God as well.
Dear people of God, you do not know all that God is working through your life. You do not know all the people He is influencing through you right now. But you certainly do not know how your life will impact future generations. Daniel was faithful to God’s call on his life. God did through him exceedingly, abundantly more than he could have possibly known. Be faithful to God in your calling. The full importance of that will only be known in eternity.
So, here are the Magi in Jesus’ day searching for truth from the heart. They are faithful to what they know although this is far less than what the Jewish priests in Jerusalem know. Because they were obedient to the revelation they had, God gave them more.
2nd They risked obeying the call of God. God used a star to point them toward Judah. They did not know what specific town, so they went to the capital city. Can you imagine what it must have been like as they explained to friends and family where they were going and why they were going there? It is at least a 500-mile trip. The means of transportation was probably donkey or camel. It would take them months to make the trip. It would require a lot of preparation. Their friends ask them where they were going.
“We don’t know—but it’s to the west.” They’re asked why they are going. “We saw a star.” They’re asked what they will do when they get there. “We’re going to worship a baby and give him our gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
It would be a dangerous and difficult journey. Law enforcement in those days was not what it is today. Thieves and robbers would have loved to take their gold. They would have to trust God for protection. After enduring the ridicule and skepticism of their friends, after depriving themselves of the comforts of home and family, they would then encounter a dry, dirty dessert.[5]
Doing the will of God for these people was not easy, it was not comfortable, it cost them significantly. So, why did they do it? They were hungry for God. Their example raises the question, “How much discomfort are we willing to endure in our spiritual journey? When we encounter the dessert do we turn back or do we press on?” I wonder if there were other Magi who also saw the star—but were too passive to pursue the call. I wonder if there were those not willing to forsake family, friends, or business endeavors to find the truth. The Bible doesn’t tell us either way. We do know their journey could not have been easy.
3rd When they arrived in Jerusalem they encounter a great disappointment. The newborn king was not there. I think they went to Herod’s palace because logic would say—that’s where this One born King of the Jews would be found.
If God had revealed to them the whole story back in Babylon, I don’t know if they would have had the faith to take the journey. What if God had told them in Babylon, “By the way, you will find this king in a barn.” They might have looked at each other and said, “You know I think we have been eating too much pepperoni pizza. We’re starting to hallucinate. We need to get some rest.” I think perhaps God told them what they had faith to hear. God told them what they needed to know to take the first step in their journey of obedience. I’m glad God didn’t tell me everything thirty or forty years ago when He called me to the ministry. I might not have had the nerve to start. But He tells us what we need to know and what we can handle knowing. And then He expects us to walk in that.
What is God saying in your life today? Are you waiting for Him to submit to you all the details—or are you willing to walk in what you know now and trust Him to unfold the plan as you go.
The Magi enter Jerusalem all excited. After a much needed bath, they go to Herod’s palace. I think they expected the palace to be full of celebration concerning this new king. They may have expected to be immediately ushered into the royal nursery where the celebration was going on.
But the scene played out very different from that. Imagine Herod sitting on his throne with hundreds of his leaders stand in the throne room. These convoys of diplomats from Iraq are ushered into the room. Herod’s spokesman asks them why they were there. “We have come to see the new king. Where is the one who is born the King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and we have come to worship Him.” An awkward silence suddenly filled the room.[6] Everybody there knew how Herod felt about rival kings. He had murdered his own sons because he thought they might take his throne.[7] This was a terribly uncomfortable moment for everyone there. What would Herod do? The Bible says he was very disturbed. But he was smart enough to keep his cool in the presence of these wise men and try to deceive them into finding Jesus for him.
II. Herod’s Response to the Christmas message was very different from that of the Magi. They were delighted by the Christmas message-- the King is born. Herod was disturbed. From the moment he heard the news, Herod was determined to get rid of Jesus. His first plan was to use the Magi to find the child and then kill Him. When that didn’t work he killed all the babies in the area that could possibly be Him. His response was violently against the Christ. He saw Jesus as a threat to his life style. Herod was in control. If he wanted a woman he took her. History tells us he was married nine or ten times.[8] If anybody crossed him he killed them. That included wives, in-laws, children, or anybody else who challenged him. He was determined to be in control. He was unwilling to share the rule of his kingdom with anybody else.
The Christmas message was brought to him by the Magi—Christ has come, the Savior is born, let us worship Him. The moment Herod heard such a message, the moment he was confronted with that truth, he had a decision to make: Resist Christ and continue in his lustful, selfish life style or join the wise men and bow to Jesus, the King.
The Christmas story still requires that kind of decision from people. Who is Jesus? He is the rightful ruler of your domain. Will you surrender to Him or will you resist Him? Herod chose to resist. Herod chose to do everything he possibly could to get rid of Jesus.
Jesus is now in a resurrected body, seated at the right hand of the Father, with all power in heaven and earth. No sword can touch Him. But people still try to get rid of Him. People still push Him away. Why do people go to court to get prayer out of the schools? Why did some not want a fish symbol displayed in public buildings in Republic? Way do people demand that the nativity scene be removed from the front of public buildings? Because (like Herod) they want to be rid of Jesus.[9] They want to call the shots. They want to follow their own lusts and do as they please with no moral accountability. That was Herod’s response to the Christmas message. It is a response that is chosen by many today.
Others are more subtle in their rejection of Christ. Outwardly they are tolerant of the Christmas message. Their motto is “Live and let live.” When someone starts talking about the Lord they simply walk away or start talking about something else. When an altar call is given they simply maintain their “right” to live their own agenda. But down deep in their hearts, like Herod, they are saying, “We will not have this King Jesus take our throne. We will not have Him rule over our lives.”
The throne of Jerusalem belonged to the linage of David. But Herod usurped it. He was an Edomite and only part Jew.[10] He was enough Jew to be watched very carefully by Caesar—enough Edomite to be rejected by the Jews. That was a formula for intense insecurity and suspicion in this man. Herod was a ruthless, cruel man. He was about 69 0r 70 years old when the wise men came. The slaughter of the infants in Jerusalem was just one of his many atrocities. A year or two after that, when he knew he was about to die, he ordered several key leaders in Jerusalem to be killed as soon as he died. He knew that everyone would be glad to be rid of him, so he had these people killed so there would be mourning in Jerusalem at the time of his death.[11] That’s really, really sick!
But Herod did a lot of nice things as well. He once melted down gold and gave it away to feed the hungry. He built theaters and provided all kinds of entertainment for the people. He rebuilt Solomon’s Temple at great, with great splendor, as a place for the Jews to worship Jehovah.[12] I’m sure when the religious rulers in Jerusalem justified their support of Herod—the temple was a big factor.
So, here is a man doing magnificent, benevolent acts on the one hand and wicked, cruel things on the other. Will God weigh each in a balance and decide whether the good outweighs the bad? No, absolutely not. Even the good deeds were selfishly motivated. We must not just ask what is being done. We must also ask why it is being done. Herod was simply buying support from these people so he could continue to have his own way.
He really thought he was pulling a fast one when he told the Magi to find the child and get back with him so he too could worship Jesus. Maneuver them to do his dirty work. But God was one step ahead of Herod. God is always one step ahead of everybody. The scheme didn’t work. When he tried another approach that didn’t work either. Why? Because God ultimately rules in the affairs of men. Matt 2:4 says, “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” They knew the answer was Bethlehem. They gave him chapter and verse. Mic 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." NIV
III. What about the response of the priests and teachers to the Christmas story?
For years they had studied the scriptures concerning the coming Messiah. They knew the details of prophesy. They surely knew much more Bible than the Magi.
Of all people you would expect them to be most celebrative of the Christmas message—the Messiah has come, the long awaited Messiah, the One who would free us from the oppression of people like Herod. But what do they do? Do they run to Bethlehem to find their King? Bethlehem was only 5 miles away. The wise men had traveled at least 500 miles to see Jesus. These priests and teachers in Jerusalem would not even go 5 miles to check it out. Why?
In spite of all their religious activity, in spite of everything they were saying, they were not really longing for Christ’s coming. They had made ample arrangements to be comfortable right where they were. They had made enough compromises to get along quite well with Herod. They were established in their churches. They were respected in their community. They were not committing gross sins of adultery and murder like Herod was. They had their temple. They had their comfort. They had their position. In short, they were not spiritually hungry. They were self-satisfied right where they were.
Their response to the Christmas message was apathy, indifference.[13] Tell Herod what he wants to know and then get back to what you were doing. Don’t let the coming of Jesus disturb your personal agenda or personal comfort. That was their response.
This is the most common response to the Christian message today. I’m not too concerned that there would be those here today who would respond like Herod. Most people in church are not openly opposed to Christ the way Herod was. But this response of indifference is something we must be careful about. Am I comfortable? Am I self-satisfied? Or am I spiritually hungry and in search of Christ?
The three responses we have found in this text are typical of people’s response to Christ. Some like Herod will openly, defiantly resist Christ. Others like the priests and scribes will simple ignore Him and go their own way. But, praise God, some like the wise men will seek Him and worship Him. I pray that everyone in this building today will be found in that third category with the wise men.
Let us pray.
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NOTES:
[1] Herod the Great, then ruler over Jerusalem/Palestine (see New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Herod”)
[2] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, “Bethlehem”
[3] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary on Matthew 2. Also Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 2. Also New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Magi”.
[4] New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Daniel”.
[5] Sermon entitled Christmas Contrasts preached by Melvin Newland at Central Christian Church in Brownsville, Texas
[6] Sermon entitled “The Question of the Magi Where Is He? by Bob Hostetler at Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio.
[7] New Unger’s Bible Dictionary “Herod”
[8] Adam Clarke’s Commentary on Matthew 2
[9] Sermon entitled “The Sad Part about Christmas” by Steve Malone at Central Christian Church in Lawrenceville Georgia.
[10] New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, “Herod”
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid
[13] Sermon entitled “The Sad Part about Christmas” by Steve Malone at Central Christian Church in Lawrenceville Georgia.
Richard Tow
Grace Chapel Foursquare Church
Springfield, MO 65810
www.gracechapelchurch.org
