The True Story of Christmas. Pt. 7 Wise men from the East and wicked Herod
This morning is very cold but we are warmed up in spirit when we continue to see the true Christmas story unfold. God's great love for sinners is on display throughout this series and we can be grateful that He love us even when we were still His enemies.
Wise men (astronomers) come to see the Christ Child
Matthew 2:1-6 Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Matthew continues giving his account of the Christmas story after he tells us Christ was born. Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem seeking a child that was born King of the Jews.
The Greek word translated wise men is "magus" and this word means that the men were from Babylon and the remnant of the Chaldean, Persian, Median empires. They were those who did things like interpreting dreams, knew astrology and sought to predict the future.
What drew the wise men to Jerusalem? Two things. First, a star in the heavens. Second, they would have known about the prophet Daniel who lived many decades in Babylon and his writings foretold the coming of Messiah.
However, the text makes it clear that God placed a unique star in the heavens that guided them to Jerusalem. They sought out King Herod to inquire about this newborn king and found out that he was to be born in Bethlehem according to the prophets.
Herod was upset because he felt insecure as a king and always watched for those who might seek to dethrone him. He typically killed any potential claimants to his throne.
Herod hatches a scheme and the wise men worship the Divine Child Jesus
Matthew 2:7-12 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Herod was descended from Esau and was an Edomite king so he had no legal right to the throne of David. He asked the wise men how long they had seen this star so he could figure out about what time Christ was born. He told them to go and find the babe and to come and tell him the location so that he could worship.
It is clear that some time has passed because baby Jesus was born in a manger whereas now Joseph and Mary are in a house. Notice also how special the child is. They fell down and worshiped Him. The wise men gave gifts to the Christ child and then began the journey to their homeland traveling a different route because God warned them in a dream.
Joseph is warned to flee to Egypt with his family
Matthew 2:13-15 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Mary and Jesus and to flee into Egypt. The reason is that Herod is going to try to kill the Divine Child.
This situation was dire since Joseph, Mary and Jesus left under the cover of darkness. Yet, this was not a random event. It was prophesied in Hosea 11:1. Hosea would have been a prophet around 730 BC.
Herod kills all male children from the age of 2 years old and under.
Matthew 2:16-18 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 Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Herod's reaction to all of this was painfully predictable. He was insecure and violent in temperament. He even killed some of his sons if he thought they were a threat to his throne. He sent soldiers into Bethlehem to find all male children 2 years old and younger. Then, he ordered the children to be killed.
This despicable act was also prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15.
Points to Ponder....
Wise men (astronomers) come to see the Christ Child
Matthew 2:1-6 Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Matthew continues giving his account of the Christmas story after he tells us Christ was born. Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem seeking a child that was born King of the Jews.
The Greek word translated wise men is "magus" and this word means that the men were from Babylon and the remnant of the Chaldean, Persian, Median empires. They were those who did things like interpreting dreams, knew astrology and sought to predict the future.
What drew the wise men to Jerusalem? Two things. First, a star in the heavens. Second, they would have known about the prophet Daniel who lived many decades in Babylon and his writings foretold the coming of Messiah.
However, the text makes it clear that God placed a unique star in the heavens that guided them to Jerusalem. They sought out King Herod to inquire about this newborn king and found out that he was to be born in Bethlehem according to the prophets.
Herod was upset because he felt insecure as a king and always watched for those who might seek to dethrone him. He typically killed any potential claimants to his throne.
Herod hatches a scheme and the wise men worship the Divine Child Jesus
Matthew 2:7-12 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Herod was descended from Esau and was an Edomite king so he had no legal right to the throne of David. He asked the wise men how long they had seen this star so he could figure out about what time Christ was born. He told them to go and find the babe and to come and tell him the location so that he could worship.
It is clear that some time has passed because baby Jesus was born in a manger whereas now Joseph and Mary are in a house. Notice also how special the child is. They fell down and worshiped Him. The wise men gave gifts to the Christ child and then began the journey to their homeland traveling a different route because God warned them in a dream.
Joseph is warned to flee to Egypt with his family
Matthew 2:13-15 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son
The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Mary and Jesus and to flee into Egypt. The reason is that Herod is going to try to kill the Divine Child.
This situation was dire since Joseph, Mary and Jesus left under the cover of darkness. Yet, this was not a random event. It was prophesied in Hosea 11:1. Hosea would have been a prophet around 730 BC.
Herod kills all male children from the age of 2 years old and under.
Matthew 2:16-18 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 Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Herod's reaction to all of this was painfully predictable. He was insecure and violent in temperament. He even killed some of his sons if he thought they were a threat to his throne. He sent soldiers into Bethlehem to find all male children 2 years old and younger. Then, he ordered the children to be killed.
This despicable act was also prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15.
Points to Ponder....
- Wise men knew the writings of Daniel the prophet who foretold the coming of Messiah.
- Wise men were astrologers who saw a unique star that guided them to the Christ Child.
- King Herod sought to kill Jesus but Joseph was warned to take Mary and the baby to Egypt for safety.
- King Herod ordered the murder of all male children in Bethlehem 2 years old and under.
- God's word spoken by Hosea, Daniel and Jeremiah were rapidly coming to pass exactly as God said.
Christmas also is a time for us to rejoice that God is still keeping His word today and still carrying out every promise He has made. This birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ involved true worshipers of God, true haters of God and a collision between an evil king named Herod and the predetermined counsels of God working out in time, space and matter.
I say again that this is the most pivotal event in human history. God took on flesh in order to bring salvation to a lost and dying world. I pray the Lord will help us see all the aspects of Christ's birth with the eyes of a child, with freshness so that we might glory in what God did to save us from our sins.
Bob
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