Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
John 20:30-31 - Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
3 reasons to worship our King with great joy
I. He Is Good in Contrast to the Worldly Rulers
A. Herod’s characteristics
1. Herod governed with fear and brutality (v3)
“Herod was also cruel and merciless. He was incredibly jealous, suspicious, and afraid for his position and power. Fearing his potential threat, he had the high priest Aristobulus, who was his wife Mariamne’s brother, drowned—after which he provided a magnificent funeral where he pretended to weep. He then had Mariamne herself killed, and then her mother and two of his own sons. Five days before his death (about a year after Jesus was born) he had a third son executed. One of the greatest evidences of his bloodthirstiness and insane cruelty was having the most distinguished citizens of Jerusalem arrested and imprisoned shortly before his death. Because he knew no one would mourn his own death, he gave orders for those prisoners to be executed the moment he died—in order to guarantee that there would be mourning in Jerusalem.” (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1985). Matthew (Vol. 1, pp. 25–26). Chicago: Moody Press.)
2. Herod used Scripture for his own gain (v4)
3. Herod was dishonest and deceptive (v8)
B. The Messiah’s characteristics
Isaiah 9:6 - For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
II. He Will Shepherd His People
A. He is a servant king
Matthew 2:6 - And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.
Micah 5:2 - But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
B. He uses His authority to serve
Matthew 20:25-28 - But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
III. He Is the Legitimate/Rightful King
A. He was born King
Matthew 2:2 - Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
B. He was authenticated by miracles (star)
Matthew 2:9 - After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
C. He is the fulfillment of God’s plan as He is from the royal line of David
John 7:42 - Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?
D. Even Gentiles bow down before Him
Matthew 2:11 - After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Romans 5:10-11 - For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Ephesians 2:13 - But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Good morning, Faith Church. I missed you all and it’s good to be back here this morning. As you all know, Our annual theme is Enjoying Life in His Name.
Following our Lord is marked by suffering. But it’s also marked by worship. In fact, that’s the theme of Matthew.
So as we look at the Christmas story – Matthew 1-2 and explain how the Christmas story provides opportunity for us to focus on Jesus, Our Messiah.
As we do, we are going to find many reasons for rejoicing. We are going to find joy in.
#1. His family Tree (Matthew 1:1-17)
#2. His saving Purpose (Matthew 1:18-25)
#3. His caring Kingship (Matthew 2:1-12)
#4. His rescue from danger (Matthew 2:13-25)
We’re going to be looking at #3 this morning. The title for this sermon by the way is
Jesus, Our Messiah: His caring Kingship (Matt. 2:1-12) (read text)
from this passage, I want you to see…
3 Reasons to Worship our King with great Joy
I. He is good in contrast to the worldly rulers
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” - Matthew 1:1-2 (stop)
I’ve read this passage before – but this time I was intrigues by what I read – here you have a group of outsiders, as it were – outside of the commonwealth of Israel… strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12-13).
How in the world could they have known about the arrival or coming of the Prince of Peace? After all, they are magi, right?
Well…being my mild mannered self – I did some digging around…here’s what I learned:
The Magi https://www.hopestreamradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/christmas-5751280_1280.jpg
The Magi appeared in history around the 7th Century BC. They were descendants of Noah’s son, Shem (Genesis 10)
Shem Genealogy timeline: http://histruthmyvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Untitled-design-1-1-e1453572632290.png
Over time, they developed their own paganized priesthood and sacrificial system – the occult. They also went by the title of magicians – that’s where get the word magi from. They were the “wise men” of the east and seekers of knowledge.
The Magi#2: https://0.api.artsmia.org/800/1785.jpg
They became well known for their studies in science, math, history, but especially in astrology and interpretation of dreams. Eventually, they became swallowed up by the Babylonian Empire and also the Medo-Persian Empire.
Now, take a wild guess as to what nation was also under these two Gentile nations of those days – The nation of Israel! These magi learned about the coming of the Messiah by Daniel the prophet and his writings.
So they took this information and passed it down so that by the time of the arrival of the Christ-child, they were, by and large, aware of his coming. And apparently, these magi…when they finally arrived to see the Christ child, they became convinced of the Scriptures and worshiped [Christ]” as verse 2 indicated. In other words, these magi left behind their former way of life and left it all in the east and came to Bethlehem to serve Another, and to live for Another, surrendering their lives under the Lordship of Another. They saw, as one song writer put it.
Love incarnate, love divine
Star and angels gave the sign
Bow to babe on bended knee
The Savior of humanity
Unto us a Child is born
He shall reign forevermore[1]
Christmas is a reminder about the greatest gift this world has ever come to know. And the Gospel tells of a story about the coming Redeemer who has come on mission of redemption – on a mission of salvation – to save that which was lost.
He has already redeemed a people for himself in this room. But there may be others here who have not yet been redeemed – listen: the greatest gift you will ever come to receive is the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ alone.
This is what God the Father wants you to know this morning. Today you can be a love offering to God the Father by surrendering your life to Him by worshipping the One he has sent just like the some of the magi came to understand and surrendered their lives before the King of Glory.
Transition: I pray that today will be the day of salvation for you today and you will come to see Advent with a whole new set of sunglasses. Some however, did not take too well to the news of The Coming King. They would not give up their self-styled sovereignty to anyone, let alone bow the knee. And that brings us to a man named Herod of Judea
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He reigned for 36 years – he was a ruthless during his reign.
a. Herod’s characteristics
i. Herod governed with fear and brutality (v3)
“3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (stop)
In other words, Herod was an absolute maniac. The Judean people understood all too well that when Herod was troubled by something, all of Jerusalem would feel his wrath. By the way, the word for “troubled” comes from the Greek word tarassó – meaning, to stir up, to agitate.
It’s an emotional agitation inside a person. And in order to ease what is being so stirred up inside is to stop whatever it is in order for things to go back to normal. So, whatever stirred up trouble in Herod’s maniacal mind he put it down fast!
He reigned for 36 years, and he was a ruthless during his reign. According to secular history, he had 14 children from his eight wives, the most popular being a woman named Miriamne whom he murdered.
After he killer her, he murdered her two sons, then murdered her brother, her grandfather, and her grandmother. Out of the 14 children he had with different women, by the way – he murdered 3 of his children.[2]
The most popular incident we know of is recorded for us in Scripture in Matthew 2:16 with the massacre of the innocent because Herod wanted the Christ child to die. We’ll get to that in a few minutes…
But can you believe that? Apparently, he believed that the Scriptures were true, yet refused to bow his knee under the coming King!
Transition: and in order to figure out when Messiah the Prince would arrive…
ii. Herod used information/scripture for his own gain (v4)
“Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.” – verse 4
In other words, he went to right place, but for all the wrong reasons! I hope that when we come to Christ, we come to him with good motives. For us as Christians, ask the Lord to navigate you through your own heart motives for why you do the things that you do.
By and large, Christian we know the intentions of our heart – why we do the things that we do. In fact, Paul said to the believers at Corinth “who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11
Other times, it can be difficult to know our own intentions. And this brings me to a quote I read upon a Christian website called Got Questions.
“A motive is the underlying reason for any action. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” Because the human heart is very deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), we can easily fool ourselves about our own motives. We can pretend that we are choosing certain actions for God or the benefit of others, when in reality we have selfish reasons. God is not fooled by our selfishness and is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). – Got Questions.com
Some motives are obvious, while others are not so obvious. But all motives will be revealed, and “he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” – 1 Cor. 4:4
So we should ask our Lord to “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” - Psalm 139:23-24
So our challenge is to make it our aim in prayer in conjunction with the study of the Word and good accountability to have the Lord lead us and to draw out the sinful dross of our fallen heart motivations to motivations that are seen by God of possessing the quality of the gold, silver, and precious stones.” – 1 Corinthians 3:12-13
In other words, genuine spiritual service to the Lord and not counterfeit service to the Master. There are people in the ministry with right heart (not perfect) heart motivations, while there are others who are in the ministry who are counterfeit. The Lord knows who they are.
Transition: But in the case of Herod, the Scripture illumines for us Herod’s heart motivations and ultimately shows us why Herod did what he did. The people didn’t know why Herod did what he did, but Herod knew why he did what he did. God knew why he did what he did.
iii. Herod was dishonest and deceptive (v8)
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”
Now, we know what happened… Herod has no interest in scripture unless it serves his own ends…even it leads to murder
“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder….” – James 4:1-2
Herod had murderous intentions…he coveted his position of power so much that it led to the
Slaughter of the Innocent: https://mattsbibleblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/leon-coginet-the-killing-of-the-innocents-by-herod1209257588.jpg
“16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.” – Matthew 2:16
There are some people who would kill rather than to receive gift of life found in the manger. Some people would rather steal to attain riches rather than to work hard to eek out a living to pay for the things that they have, from the largest items to the smallest items. Man, I pray our motivations for this December and beyond are godly motivations. We have thousands of motivations for why we do the things that we do.
When we come together at Faith Church, we come together as spiritual body of individuals with thousands of heart motivations. The goal of our motivation is to see Christ exalted, not ourselves. Someone might be gifted in this ministry or that ministry. Someone might be more gifted in said area of ministry than another person – the point is not to act like the world and lord it over one another, or to grumble and complain, but to come together for a like-minded purpose and cause, lifting up the banner of Christ. That’s how the church grows – that’s how the church matures…
When we come together to listen to the Word of God, sometimes some benefit more so than others. And then the following Lord’s day, those that didn’t really benefit become the ones that do while others that did the prior Sunday become the ones that didn’t benefit much – the goal should be to praise the Lord for his providential purpose in the life of said believers and pray that we too will be blessed as well – but goal my friends is to build up one another not to lord it over one another or to tear down.
Jesus warned about that, he said to his people “that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,” – Matthew 20:25-26
That’s the goal right there! Service toward one another is ultimately service to the Master. And may the Lord continue to gift us with the power and blessing of learning how to bear the image of the man of heaven – that is Jesus, and learn to put off the image of the earthy man, like a King Herod.
Transition: Note the
b. The Messiah’s Characteristics
i. Isaiah 9:6 (NASB95) — 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
With all the turmoil in our world…it is so helpful for us to remember that only Christ can can rest the government on His shoulders…only He can govern a people where justice and mercy, truth and Love are in perfect melody with one another…He is the only one who can bring peace among rebellious sinners.
But the bottom line is this…our King is caring…one passage that highlights that so well is.
ii. Matthew 11:28–30 (NASB95) — 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In other words, He took the heaviest burden for us at the cross. So for you followers of Christ, Jesus provides
He is a mighty, yet gentle and humble ruler, even though He is the creator and sustainer of the universe...
He is literally holding every molecule in the world together, and yet he is not going to hold that over you…
He is going to give you clarifying divine reasonability as you follow Him…but it is not going to weigh you down like the Herods of this world.
Christ is caring because
II. He will shepherd His people
a. He is a servant king
i. Matthew 2:6 (NASB95) — 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
Shepherd are not viewed as exalted in many cultures. Its safe to assume that even the magi were among those that didn’t esteem shepherds too highly either for reasons we will see soon.
Be that as it may, the point I want you to see is that He is a Shepherd King – the kind of King who serves His people and who gives his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
ii. Micah 5:2 (NASB95) — 2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
In other words, Just as a mustard seed has humble beginnings, eventually it will grow to become a great forest, so then this Ruler of the universe will come forth and have humble beginnings in a small town and will later become the greatest ruler this world has ever witnessed.
b. He uses His authority to serve
i. Matthew 20:25–28 (NASB95) — 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
We looked at this passage previously, but I want to offer some more feedback on this passage
If you have never trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior…will you accept that you need him to serve you…will you admit your sin and accept that He used His power and authority to serve you and give His life as a ransom for you…to buy you back from the slave market of sin…and bring you into His kingdom as a son, a daughter… an heir of eternal life.
Believing friend…do you find joy in serving because you have been served by the king of the universe, by the Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, the Eternal Father, our Prince of Peace.
Christ is a King like no other – and there will never be another after Him. We worship Him because
III. He is the legitimate/rightful King
Just because,
a. He was born King
i. Matthew 2:2 (NASB95) — 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” [REMOVE]
But that this King had divine credentials.
b. He was authenticated by miracles (star)
i. Matthew 2:9 (NASB95) — 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
The magi assumed that they would have found the Messiah at the capital – but he wasn’t there. Verse 9 tells us that this was a supernatural star that led them to where the child was…surrounded by animals and dirty shepherds…they didn’t expect that. But since they came to finally believe in the Scriptures, it follows that they trusted in the Scriptures that also said that one day this Child before them would one day become King.
c. He is the fulfillment of God’s plan (Or He is from the Royal Line of David)
i. John 7:42 (NASB95) — 42 “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”
d. Even Gentiles bow down before Him
i. Matthew 2:11 (NASB95) — 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Ephesians 2:13 — 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Worship is a theme that runs through the book of Matthew. The Magi brought gifts to emphasize the honor of the King…
Some say the gifts represent various things…but we do know for sure is that the gifts had great worth. The magi saw the star…recognized the King of the Jews was born, and they traveled all the way to bow down and worship and recognize the great value of the Messiah, the King of the Jews…Jesus of Nazareth born in the city of David…Jesus the Christ.
May we too Worship our King and rejoice exceedingly with great joy because of his great love and care for us.
[1] Chris Tomlin, “www.azlyrics.com,” https://www.azlyrics.com/lyric..., last modified, https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/noel.html.
[2] “Herod King of Judaea,” https://www.britannica.com/, last modified, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herod-king-of-Judaea.
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