Here’s my notes and audio for “Jesus, the KING” based on Matthew 2:1-12 preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship on 12.8.24.
Matt 2:1-12: “Jesus, the KING”
Intro: See a baby in the nativity. But don’t miss this biblical claim: Jesus is KING.
-As Americans we struggle with the idea of living under a king (see 1776 & King George)
-When Israelites demanded a king, Samuel warned them of consequences (1 Sam 8)
-But Jesus is a king unlike every other king: living under the reign of Jesus is life-giving and freeing.
-In the gospel, we are saved from our sins so that we too might live under Jesus’ kingly rule.
M.I.: Jesus is the promised King, and in the gospel we are saved to live under his kingly rule.
CONTEXT: Matthew’s Gospel—Jesus is the promised Messiah, God with us, who brought God’s kingdom to Earth.
-1:18-25: Miraculous VIRGIN birth of Jesus
-Great sign to confirm Jesus is the promised.
-Significance in His birth, his mission, and his identity.
TODAY: A Significant visit from a group of individuals from a far country.
-The event, and facts of Jesus’ birthplace, confirm the reality that Jesus is the promised Messiah
-In particular, Jesus is the promised Messiah KING!
-This confronts us with a reality that is still true today: Jesus king.
-We are faced with a question: how will I respond to the kingly rule of Christ?
Initial Setting: Jerusalem (1)
–BIRTH PLACE OF JESUS: Bethlehem
-WHEN?: in the days of Herod the king
-Herod Reigned Israel and Judah (under Rome) for 33 years
-Great builder and administrator
-Tyrant and wicked man: murdered his wife, 2 sons, and we’ll see later brought about genocide in Bethlehem
-GUESTS FROM THE EAST!: wise men from the east came to Jerusalem
-“wise men” also translated “MAGI”
-Professional astrologer, wise men who advised kings and rulers, likely from Persia or Babylon
SURPRISE in the Text! God used Gentile astrologers to provide further evidence/witness of Jesus Christ!
-God worked in a surprising way here, and this is not a detail Matthew would have made up if this was a myth.
-Theologians note that this is often what we see: God often works in way that are unexpected (He gets the glory!)
A Great Disturbance in Jerusalem (2-3):
Magi’s Question: Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?
-This is the reason these men came from so far away: they came to find the ‘newborn king of the Jews!’
-Probable reason they came to Jerusalem: city of the Jewish kings.
Magi’s Explanation: For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.
-Some kind of astrological phenomenon, which they interpreted to signify the arrival of Jewish Messiah.
–Numbers 24:17 “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel”
-They came to “worship him.”
-They recognized that the king of the Jews deserved their adoration.
Herod the King’s Reaction: “troubled”!
-Saw this new king as a threat to his own authority
-“all Jerusalem with him”= Carson notes that this was likely out of fear of Herod’s reaction.
SURPRISE in Text: God used a star and magi’s knowledge to reveal Himself to Israel and world.
–REMINDER: God’s great power and desire to reveal Himself to His people.
What Happened Next (4-10)
-Jewish Leaders Gather and Respond to Herod (4-6)
-Herod inquires to the location of the Christ’s birth (4)
-Leaders’ response: Bethlehem (5)
-This is confirmed by OT prophecy found in Micah 5:2 (6)
–BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS=Confirmation that Jesus really is the promised Messiah.
–NOTE: “a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel”
–OBSERVE: King of the Jews=MESSIAH.
-2 Samuel 7:12-13
-Herod Sends the Magi Away (7-8)
-Notice the details of the text:
-“Secret summons…ascertained from them what time the star had appeared” (see 2:16)
-Deceit of Herod in verse 8
-Herod was insincere: he wanted to know the location of the baby born king so he could kill him.
-Contrast of Joseph 1:19 and Herod 2:8
–Magi Head to Bethlehem, Led by the Star (9-10)
-Star led the Magi (9)
-God rules over the sun, stars, and all of Creation for His good purpose and His glory.
-Exceeding great joy when they saw the star and arrived at the house of Jesus (10)
SURPRISE: The exceeding joy of finding Jesus.
–Christian claim: you were made for joy! And only Jesus can bring you the joy you are looking for.
The Magi’s Response to Jesus (11)
-The Magi fall down and worship Jesus (11)
–Commentators: they worshipped better than they knew!
-The Magi open their treasure and offer gifts to Jesus (11b)
-These were of great value and representative of gifts from the East
–Commentators: Joseph and Mary probably used these to fund their journey South to Egypt.
SURPRISE! These Gentile Magi recognized the kingly identity of Jesus and that he deserved their devotion.
-We struggle with the thought of owing our allegiance to a “king”
-But we recognize we owe our obedience, respect to some in authority
-Policeman, Teachers, Government Officials
-Jesus is the king of Jews and Gentiles—the king of Kings!
APPLICATION:
Non-Christian:
-You think you’re free without God, but actually you’re not free.
-You are a slave to sin and sinful passions (Eph 2:3; 1 Peter 1:14, 2:11, 4:2; Rom 6:17-28, 22; Col 1:13-14).
– Jesus is the king who came to die for his people (Phil 2:5-11).
–Believe in him and be rescued from your sin.
-Jesus is not a king you can ignore.
–Be warned, his second coming is as a kingly judge: 2 Thess 1:5-10
Christian:
Remember: Jesus a wonderful king!
-He rescued us, and now we learn how to live under his kingly rule.
-He is caring over you right now: H.S. guiding; pruning; ruling.
-Christian life is a life over evermore increasing submission to the rule and reign of Jesus.
-When we submit to His rule, things go well for us. When we refuse to submit, they do not.
Question: Are there any areas of your life where you are consciously refusing to submit to the kingly reign of Jesus?
-Finances, Future, Bitterness, Obedience, Marriage, Singleness, Job, Ministry
-Where do most need God’s grace in your life to submit to the kingly rule of Jesus?
-Pray for help from the king and see his generous invitation: Matt 7:7-11
END of the Magi’s Visit (12)
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
-God warns the Magi to return home another way
-God knows the wickedness of Herod and protects the Magi.
CLOSE: Jesus is the promised King, and in the gospel we are saved to live under his kingly rule.
