WHERE IS HE?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
INTRODUCTION:
There were many who awaited the coming of a Messiah according to Daniel 9:21 - 26 (READ). Those waiting included shepherds in a field, Simeon, a just and devout man in Jerusalem (Luke 2:25), Anna, a prophetess, (Luke 2:36), wise men (from the east?), and numerous others.
I. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a new born.)
Luke 2:15 “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing [Where is He?] which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
What sent these shepherds into the town looking for a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger?
A. A Great Night --- Shepherds keeping watch.
Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that
the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather commenced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be someone to attend them to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is probable from this that our Saviour was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call “Christmas.” At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions about Bethlehem. Barnes Notes
B. A Great Light --- The Glory of God
Luke 2:9 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
The words “Lord” and “God” are often used to denote “greatness” or “intensity.” Thus, “trees of God” mean great trees; “hills of God,” high or lofty hills, etc. So “the glory of the Lord” here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus. Barnes Notes
C. A Great Sight --- A multitude of the heavenly host. “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
1. Angels in the sky flying.
Luke 2:13 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
2. A babe in a manger lying.
Luke 2:16 “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning this child.”
The shepherds found Him just as it was told them.
II. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a toddler.)
Matthew 2:1 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
A. Wise Men
1. (3097) ma--gov, — mag’-os; of foreign origin [Hebrew {7248} (Rab-
Mag)]; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication a
magician: — sorcerer, wise man.
2. Their number, nationality, and country are unknown. Dake
More than likely, this was a caravan equipped with their own soldiers to
protect them in their journey, especially considering their cargo.
3. Remember that the journey from Persia to Judea was not a quick one; the wise
men may have left as soon as logistics would allow. David Guzik
4. Worshipping
This does not mean that they had come to pay him religious homage, or to adore him They regarded him as the King of the Jews, but there is no evidence that they supposed that he was divine. They came to honor him as a Prince, or a king, not as God. The original word implies no more than this. It means to prostrate oneself before another; to fall down and pay homage to another. This was the mode in which homage was paid to earthly kings, and this they wished to pay to the new-born King of the Jews. Barnes Notes
B. His Star
Some state that in the East at this time there was a general expectation of a king to be born in Judea who was to rule the whole world. Dake [According to the interpretation of Scripture, the time of Messiah’s birth was near.]
Among the ancients the appearance of a new star or comet was regarded as an omen of some remarkable event. Many such appearances are recorded by the Roman historians at the birth or death of distinguished
men. Thus they say that at the death of Julius Caesar a comet appeared in the heavens and shone seven days. These wise men also considered this as an evidence that the long-expected Prince was born. It is possible that they had been led to this belief by the prophecy of Balaam, Numbers 24:17, “There shall come a star out of Jacob,” etc. What this star was is not known. There have been many conjectures respecting it, but nothing is revealed concerning it. We are not to suppose that it was what we commonly mean by a star. The stars are vast bodies fixed in the heavens, and it is absurd to suppose that one of them was sent to guide the wise men. It is most probable that it was a luminous appearance, or meteor, such as we now see sometimes shoot from the sky, which the wise men saw, and which directed them to Jerusalem. Barnes Notes
As to what is here called a star, some make it a meteor, others a luminous appearance like an Aurora Borealis; others a comet! There is no doubt, the appearance was very striking: but it seems to have been a simple meteor provided for the occasion. Clarke
Matthew 2:9 “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”
It is my opinion that this star could not have been a one time event on the night of His birth for the wise men did not arrive until months later to worship Him. It would have been very difficult to have noted the position being revealed if the star shone only for one night.
C. Herod’s Anger
The wise men come first to Jerusalem, assuming that the leaders of the Jews would be aware of (and excited about) the birth of their Messiah; they are about to find that this isn't the case at all. David Guzik
Matthew 2:16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”
The age of two years old would not be necessary if the child was a new born.
Wise men still seek Jesus!!!!!!!
III. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a child.)
Luke 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
A. Lost In The Crowd --- Tarrying in Jerusalem
The caravan going together on the road or way (sun, hodos), a journey in company, then by metonymy the company itself. A common Greek word (Plutarch, Strabo, etc.). The women usually went ahead and the men followed. Joseph may have thought Jesus was with Mary and Mary that he was with Joseph.
“The Nazareth caravan was so long that it took a whole day to look through it” (Plummer).
B. Found In The Temple --- Talking (teaching?) in the temple.
IV. WHERE IS HE? (When He was a man.)
John 7:10 “But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 7:11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?”
A. Lost In The Crowd
B. Found In The Temple
John 7:14 “Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.”
John 9:10 “Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam,
and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.”
V. WHERE IS HE?
A. He is there at the death of a loved one.
B. He is there when dreams have been shattered.
C. He is there at the birth of every newborn.
D. He is there at the abortion of every unborn.
E. He is there when the news of a bad diagnosis comes.
F. He is there when your position at the company has been eliminated.
G. He is there to pardon you of all your sins.
Mark 2:4 “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.”
Mark 5:40 “And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.”
Mark 6:55 “And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”
John 1:38 “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”
CONCLUSION
So all people should without delay seek the Saviour. When told of him by the servants of God, they should, like these shepherds, forsake all, and give no rest to their eyes until they have found him. We may
“always” find him. We need not travel to Bethlehem. We have only to cast our eyes to heaven; to look to him and to believe on him, and we shall find him ever near to us, and forever our Saviour and friend.
Barnes Notes
Where is He?
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Romans 10:8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
He dwells in the hearts of those who make Him welcome. Is He dwelling in your heart? Will you make Him welcome this morning.
Song: “He Is Here”
