The New King Was Born

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION

• Background
• Jesus is presented as King - the most awaited Messiah
• Another important theme in the Gospel of Matthew is that the Kingdom of God is taken away to Israel and is given to the Gentiles.
• Why? Because Jesus is rejected by Israel and received by Gentiles in accordance with God's plan

Title: The New King Was Born

BODY

Plot

Scene 1: The Arrival of the Wise Men (vv1-2)

• Who are these Magi from the east
• Wrong Conception about the Magi's Identity
• They were not kings
• They were not three
• They were not in nativity
• The word "magi" is translated as wise men
• later concept of magi: magic, sorcery,
• early concept of magi: astrologers, a group of people who gives counsel to the kings

                                      in fact they are priests.

• Most likely, they are Medes or Persians (Daniel stayed with Darius, a Medes)
• King Cyrus
• Overthrew the Babylonian Empire
• Raised by God to bring back Jews in Israel
• This king wants the Jews to go back in Israel and build their temple
• Point: The Medo-Persian had a wonderful relationship with the Jews and were acquainted with Jewish writings/prophecies

• The word "Behold" - The author wants his readers to take note of what they said
• The Inquiry: Where is he (Jesus) who has been born King of the Jews.
• The initial reaction of the Jews is "What are they saying?"
• As if people in Jerusalem were not updated; they missed the news about the coming of their king.
•  The Reason of Inquiry: For we saw HIS STAR when it rose
• They were sure that the star that the saw was the STAR of JESUS (The Star of the King)
• This people have the idea of the prophesy of the MESSIAH-KING
• That star belongs to the King of the Jews; that's why they went to Israel
• The Reason of Arrival: To worship this King who has been born

Transition: This news about the King of the Jews that has been born echoes throughout the land, and Herod, heard this.

Scene 2: The Anxiety of the Wicked King (vv3-6)

• Why did King Herod trouble?
• He proclaims himself as the King of the Jews
• An Idumean not a Jew, but he did all the best that he can do to be called the King of the Jews
• He was a former supporter of Mark Anthony who was the enemy of Augustus on the throne
• When Augustus defeated Mark Anthony (who committed suicide with Cleopatra), Herod tried to convince Augustus that his loyalty is with the Emperor Augustus.
• He was so greed being the appointed King of the Jews that he even killed his wife and some of his children who are THREAT on his throne
• Now here is another THREAT to his throne, that's why he was very troubled
• And if the King is troubled, the whole kingdom is troubled.
• The Statement of the Magi troubled Herod.

• What did King Herod do?
• He called an urgent meeting
• He called the priests and scribes
• He inquired to them about the CHRIST: place of birth

Scene 3: The Action Plan of the Wicked King (vv7-9)

• The Summoning
• Purpose: To ascertain the time the star appeared

• The Sending
• Herod send them to Bethlehem:

• The Scheme
• He tried to convince them to tell him where the New King may be found.
• How: by telling them that he also wants to worship the New King of the Jews.

Scene 4: The Adoration to the New King of the Jews (vv9-11)

• After listening to King Herod
• They went to Bethlehem according to the wicked King

• The word "Behold": Matthew draws the attention of his audience
• The Star that they saw from their place appeared to them again
• This star has been with them until they reached the place where Jesus is

• The Excitement of the Wise Men
• They saw the star rests on the place of Jesus
• Emotion: Exceedingly with Great Joy 

• Inside the House
• They saw the child and Mary
• They fell down and worshipped the Child - Jesus is God
• They offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh

Scene 5: The Advise to the Wise Men(v12)

• They warned in the dream (more likely an angel)
• Do not return to Herod
• They went back to their country using another way

CIS: Jesus is our New King

Matthew proclaims Jesus as King

Apostles and Preachers throughout the history proclaims Jesus as King

Did you find Jesus as your King?

What are you going to do with this New King?

There are 2 Responses in the Proclamation of Jesus as King

1. People Reject Jesus as King of their Lives

• We are the king of our own lives

• And if this Jesus will rule over our lives: He deserves to be obeyed; We need to surrender everything to this King

• Point: Jesus will be a threat to your own throne
• This is the reason why people reject Jesus as their King
• They wanted Him to be their Savior but not as king
• Why? Because your lives is no longer yours but His

• Challenge: Are you going to reject this king

2. People Receives Jesus as King of their Lives

• There are people who will receive Jesus as their king.
• This people gives up everything to this New King
• They will acknowledge their King by offering the best thing that they have: their gifts and their lives
• They will worship their King

• Point: People who receives Christ should receive Him as the Ruler of His Life and not  just a Savior

• Challenge: Have you received Jesus Christ as your king; if so obey and worship this king

CONCLUSION

• Jesus is proclaimed as a king but not just an ordinary king: He is the King of kings and Lord of lords
• To those who receive Him as king, He is our hope in this life
• We cannot do something in our lives, but to wait death: But Jesus can do something against our death
• You can reject this King but in His return, no one can stop Him to rule
• He will rule his people with the rod of comfort and grace
• But to those who are keep rejecting, He will rule them with the rod of iron - with judgment.
• Receive Him as your King; Acknowledge Him before the people; Surrender everything to this King
• If not, He will come and will destroy you.

• Receive Him, lay down your own crown and throne

Jesus Christ the Foundation of Faith Christian Church

11/26/2017