HE WAS BORN KING

Matthew 2:1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, 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 inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men,

  

 determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

 

STORY

 

Magi came after birth of Jesus Mary and Joseph now in a house

Jesus was called a Child (paidion) rather than a newborn Infant (brephos).

HE WAS BORN KING

 

Birth Rights - What were you born as?

 

Psalm 139:14-16

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

 

Jer. 1:4-5

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you (set you apart); I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

 

2 Tim 1:9

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

 

Purpose - Pro-thesis – before purpose

THE HEROD ATTACK

 

Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

WISE MEN SOUGHT HIM

 

·      Insecurity or lack of confidence Living for people’s expectation 

·      Settling

·      Fear

·      Premature death Distractions

·      They want to locate you so you must keep moving

·      They act as if they want to worship you but they want to kill you

WE NEED WISDOM

 

Wise Men - Went Another way - wisdom will guide you to your destiny

 

1.     Wisdom opens up a stream of revelation that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him- Eph 1:17

2.     Preserves you Prov 4:5-6

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

 

3.     Promotes You Prov 4:7-9

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.

 

4.     It helps you solve problems.

5.     See what others can’t see

RESOURCES

 

Gifts were worth about 120 million USD in 2007 dollars

Their worship was heightened by the giving of gifts ... gold ... incense and ... myrrh. These were gifts worthy of a king and this act by Gentile leaders pictures the wealth of the nations which will someday be completely given to the Messiah (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6; 66:20; Zeph. 3:10; Hag. 2:7–8)

GOD’S PROTECTION

 

·      God’s Protection is sure

·      Wise men went another way

·      Jesus was hidden

·      God will also protect you