1 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaking of God's word, we've turned now to Matthew chapter 2 2 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,680 and I have here a book I'll recommend to you. 3 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:16,480 This is probably the the go to commentary that I'll reference a 4 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,200 lot in my study. It's called the Bible Knowledge 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,040 Commentary. John F. 6 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:25,680 Walvid, Roy B Zuck are the editors but a great resource. 7 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,200 If you're looking for things. To enhance your study of the 8 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,680 Scripture, and I say that. Because Matthew chapter. 2 has 9 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,320 so much packed into it tonight that we could have spent weeks 10 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:37,200 looking at Matthew. Chapter 2 but we've got to get. 11 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:40,520 Through the book of Matthew and so I'm going to highlight out 12 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:44,200 certain aspects for the theme of our message tonight. 13 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:45,200 But if your. Desire is to. 14 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:46,840 Dig in more and be a student of the word. 15 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:49,880 Then I recommend a resource like that to you and you can check 16 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:54,480 that out after the service. The title of tonight's message 17 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,280 is Reactions to the King. Out of Matthew chapter 2. 18 00:00:58,160 --> 00:00:59,720 We're going to consider. Those who adored. 19 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:01,640 Him we're we're in the Holy Week, We're looking. 20 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,000 Ahead to Jesus death, his burial, his resurrection. 21 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:09,320 But where we're at in the book of Matthew is Jesus birth, and 22 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:13,240 we're looking at the wise men who came from the East to adore 23 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,200 him and to. Worship him so there's some 24 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:16,000 wise. Men in the. 25 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,800 Story and I'll pronounce them as magi, as different 26 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,680 pronunciations that as we read it. 27 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:23,640 But we're also going to look at those. 28 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,920 Who were unwise action to Jesus in the story? 29 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:29,440 The. Events that we're about to. 30 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:35,040 Read of here in Matthew 2 these magi they visit a young Jesus 31 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:37,200 and it did not happen on Christmas. 32 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,560 Night, as maybe our Christmas cards indicate, or our Christmas 33 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:41,920 carols. It didn't even happen. 34 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:46,480 On Christmas Day, but happened sometime after Christmas Day, it 35 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,760 says in verse. One of Matthew chapter. 2 now 36 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,400 after Jesus was born. How? 37 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,240 Far after we're not. Entirely sure, and. 38 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,880 Scholars will will differ. Perhaps it's at least weeks. 39 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,400 Some suggest even months and others. 40 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,520 Go. Into even up to a. 41 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,800 Year. After Jesus was born, but most 42 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,720 scholars land between months and a year when it comes to this for 43 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:10,600 a few reasons which I'll highlight #1. 44 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,720 We read in the Gospel accounts. That Jesus had been circumcised 45 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,520 8 days after his birth according to the Gospels. 46 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,440 And then Mary went through. Her purification ritual of 40 47 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:26,120 days according to the Mosaic Law after Jesus birth. 48 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,280 Where again you remember Jesus was presented in the temple and 49 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:34,640 there was an elderly fellow called Simeon, an elderly lady 50 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,440 called Anna. That we read of in Luke's Gospel 51 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,000 particularly. And then we read here in the 52 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,400 text and. When we get to it in verse. 11 53 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,720 that it says that. Jesus and Mary and Joseph. 54 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,920 Were in a house, living in a house. 55 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,600 And we read this chapter. So the wise man who came from 56 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,040 the. East that we're going to focus. 57 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:56,920 On entered into a house. Not the stable with the Manger. 58 00:02:56,920 --> 00:02:59,720 Again, as the picture cards point out, they didn't go into a 59 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,480 cave. They came to a house in 60 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,440 Bethlehem. Story will tell us. 61 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,120 So that's why most scholars. Think that, the wise man. 62 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,520 Who came from the East? Showed up between months or even 63 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:13,120 up to a year after his birth. And concerning these wise men 64 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,400 from the East a little bit now we we need to wade. 65 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,640 Through a bit of misinformation or disinformation from the 66 00:03:20,640 --> 00:03:23,840 Christmas carols that we sing. And the reason mostly. 67 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,400 That that confusion exists is from the very first Christmas 68 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:29,800 Carol that I learnt in my piano lessons. 69 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,960 As a kid, you know we 3 Kings from Orion R. 70 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,280 That was a beautiful song, actually. 71 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:40,920 It's written in 1857 by a guy called John Henry Hopkins. 72 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:43,800 But even that title is misleading, isn't it? 73 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,240 First of all, there probably weren't three of them. 74 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,080 We know that they were plural, so there's certainly more than 75 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,920 one. Because it says wise men MEN. 76 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,240 We're not indicated in the biblical text the number 77 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,880 exactly. Of wise men, we get the three 78 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:01,680 from the gifts that we're given, the gold, the frankincense and 79 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:05,960 the mirror, and people assume that you know one was given by 80 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,600 an individual on each occasion. But you know, people like that 81 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:14,040 back then in the 1st century AD would not travel typically in 82 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:17,519 such small. Groups, especially of that ilk, 83 00:04:18,399 --> 00:04:21,000 they usually travelled in a. Larger entourage of people. 84 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,080 With the distance that they're travelling for safety and 85 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:26,040 numbers, so. Very much likely more than three 86 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:30,120 are coming and they're not. Kings as the song says, you know 87 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:34,680 we 3 kings of Orient R we're not told that the Bible never says 88 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:36,520 that they were kings. They're probably more like 89 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:41,040 understand the term magi these wise men as. 90 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,760 Being. Astronomers studied the stars 91 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:48,360 and court advisors and and mathematicians and people who 92 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,720 poured over texts and prophecies and things that indicated the 93 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,600 future. They're also not from the Orient 94 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,400 as we understand the. Orient they would. 95 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:01,760 Have likely more been from an area that's in the news heavily 96 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,280 at the moment. Called Media Persia, Pathia. 97 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:10,200 Modern day Iranians. Now to really understand the. 98 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:13,600 Story I'll need to fill in some historical blanks as we go 99 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,400 along, and I'm going to do that in this passage as we read and 100 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,200 strip away a bit of the tradition and the baggage from 101 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,680 the Christmas story. But let's read the entire 102 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:27,240 chapter now, Matthew chapter 2 now after Jesus was born in 103 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,760 Bethlehem of Judea in the days. Of Herod the King. 104 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:32,480 This is a fellow called Herod the Great. 105 00:05:33,840 --> 00:05:37,000 Behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where 106 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,120 is he? Who has been born king of the? 107 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,280 Jews, for we have seen his star in the East and have come to 108 00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:44,920 worship him. I'm reading from the new King 109 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,120 James Version. Verse 3 When Herod the king 110 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,600 heard this. He was troubled and all. 111 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,360 Jerusalem with him. They're freaking out because if 112 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:55,120 Herod's freaking. Out they know it doesn't bode 113 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,280 well for them. And if you know anything of 114 00:05:57,280 --> 00:06:00,880 history and of this Herod, you'll understand and know why. 115 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,280 I'll talk a little bit about that later. 116 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,840 And when verse four, he had gathered all the chief. 117 00:06:05,840 --> 00:06:08,080 Priests and scribes. Of the people together, he 118 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:09,840 inquired of. Them where the Christ was to be 119 00:06:09,840 --> 00:06:14,640 born, so they said to him. They knew in Bethlehem of Judea, 120 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:16,840 for thus it is written by the prophet. 121 00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:19,720 And they quote out of Micah chapter 5 but you. 122 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,720 Bethlehem in the land of Judah, and not the least. 123 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,520 Among the rulers of Judah. For out of you shall come a 124 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:27,760 ruler who will shepherd my people. 125 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,840 Israel and then Herod verse 7, when he had secretly called the 126 00:06:31,840 --> 00:06:34,600 Wise. Men determined from them. 127 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,280 What time the star appeared. And he sent them to. 128 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:41,880 Bethlehem said go search carefully for the young child 129 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:43,920 and. When you found him. 130 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:45,680 Bring back word to me that I may. 131 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:50,000 Come and worship him also. And if he were Pinocchio, his 132 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,520 nose would have grown at that statement. 133 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:55,360 When they heard the king, they departed. 134 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:57,560 Verse 9. Behold the star which they had. 135 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:02,400 Seen in the east went. Before them till it came, and 136 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:04,040 stood over where the young child was. 137 00:07:04,840 --> 00:07:07,600 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great 138 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:08,040 joy. When. 139 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,280 They'd come into the. House verse 11. 140 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:14,280 They saw the young child with Mary, his mother, who fell. 141 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:17,600 Down and worshipped him. When they had opened their 142 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,640 treasures, they presented. Gifts to him gold. 143 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:23,800 Frankincense and myrrh. And being divinely warned in a 144 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,240 dream that they should. Not return to Herod they. 145 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:28,400 Departed. For their own country, another. 146 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:33,440 Way verse 13 And when they had departed, behold, an Angel of 147 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:35,720 the Lord. Appeared to Joseph in a dream 148 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:41,120 saying arise, take the young child and his mother. 149 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,440 Flee to Egypt. And stay there until I bring you 150 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,360 word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 151 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,680 Just as an interesting. Aside with Joseph Joseph. 152 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:55,720 He's never ever given a word in Scripture, but we see that he 153 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,280 has very much. Sanctified sleep a lot of the 154 00:07:58,280 --> 00:07:59,160 time. Doesn't he? 155 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:02,640 Each time that Joseph sleeps, it's like a dream. 156 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:05,400 That God speaks to him so for those of. 157 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:06,960 You that love sleep. It's biblical. 158 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,960 When he arose, he took the young child Verse 14 and his mother by 159 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,440 night, and departed for Egypt. He was there until. 160 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,760 The death of Herod that it might be. 161 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,280 Fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet. 162 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:26,320 Saying out of Egypt, I called my son and then Herod. 163 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,200 When he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was. 164 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:34,360 Exceedingly angry, he sent. Forth and put to death all the 165 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,000 male children who were in Bethlehem, in all its districts, 166 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,039 from 2 years old and under. According to the time. 167 00:08:40,039 --> 00:08:41,960 Which he had determined from the wise men. 168 00:08:42,799 --> 00:08:45,440 This is somewhere. My scholars estimate from about 169 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:50,680 20 to 30 young children in that Bethlehem area region put to 170 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:54,440 death by Herod and then was fulfilled what was spoken verse 171 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,440 17 by Jeremiah the prophet saying a voice was heard in 172 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,920 Rama, lamentation, weeping and great mourning. 173 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:05,600 Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because 174 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,600 they are no more. Now, when this Herod was dead. 175 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,040 Verse 19 Behold an. Angel of the Lord appeared in a 176 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:16,320 dream to Joseph in Egypt. Saying, arise, take the young 177 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,600 child and his mother, and go to the land of. 178 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,600 Israel. For those who sought the young 179 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:24,720 child's life dead, then heroes verse 21 took the young child 180 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,280 and his mother came into the land of Israel. 181 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:31,600 When he heard. That Archelaus was reigning over 182 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,280 Judea instead of his father Herod. 183 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:35,440 So this is a new Herod that's come onto the scene. 184 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:38,240 He was afraid to go there. This is Joseph. 185 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,320 And being warmed by God, in a dream he turned aside into the 186 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,320 region of Galilee. Where they had originally 187 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:47,600 travelled. From he came and dwelt in a city 188 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,240 called Nazareth. That it might be. 189 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,280 Fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called 190 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,160 a Nazarene. So we consider this chapter. 191 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,000 I'm going to work through three points in this the question. 192 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:05,160 First of all, that is posed the reaction that we see in the text 193 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:06,720 and there's a few of those and then. 194 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:09,520 The adoration or the proper? Adoration. 195 00:10:09,520 --> 00:10:11,960 So that's where we're going to move through in this text. 196 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:16,040 So I want to begin with this, the wise man's question way 197 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:18,760 back, travelling from the east. And they head. 198 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:21,960 Towards Jerusalem and they sort of come out of nowhere it seems 199 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:25,480 on the pages of Scripture seems in the story and and then they 200 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:30,280 get this audience with Herod the king and their presence scares 201 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:32,160 Herod and. Everybody in Jerusalem freaks. 202 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:35,640 Out because as I said, if Herod's freaked out, they know 203 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:38,280 the flow on. Effect into their existence so. 204 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:43,560 Who are these travellers? These wise men, these magi, 205 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,800 What's this all about? Again, there's a lot of later 206 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,000 myths, and for those of you who are students. 207 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,600 And may be curious by. Some of these of of layers into 208 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:55,040 this simple. Story of of names and. 209 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:58,160 Numbers that have been given. And and even skulls that were 210 00:10:58,160 --> 00:10:59,800 purported to be discovered of these. 211 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:05,000 Individuals, but the text simply calls them wise men from the 212 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:09,280 East and the term wise men in the Greek. 213 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:11,320 That's the original. Language that we're reading. 214 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:15,960 Out of the Gospel of Matthew is the Greek word maggio, hence the 215 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:21,240 English magi or magi. And as I said, these history 216 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:22,440 tells. Us, we're men from the. 217 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:26,440 Medo, Persian area. One of the historians. 218 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:32,320 From antiquity named Herodotus, a Greek historian said that they 219 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,760 were a like a priestly cast in the. 220 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,800 Area of. Of the Medes and were absorbed 221 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:41,840 into the the Medo Persian Empire way back in the times of of 222 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,280 Daniel that we read of and they were. 223 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:47,760 According to history, skilled. In in philosophy, skilled in 224 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:51,160 science, regarded as wise. As a consequence, they were 225 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:54,040 sought out for their. Instruction or their opinion, 226 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:55,920 their their decisions and things. 227 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,440 They were interpreters of dreams. 228 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:01,880 We see in the scriptures. Because of their knowledge and 229 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:04,240 their wisdom, they influence kings. 230 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:05,520 They influence. Governments. 231 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,480 Governors and governments actually hired them, paid money 232 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,960 to seek out their opinion. They were seen many. 233 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:18,000 Times as kingmakers in history. They were ones who would 234 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,920 identify and crown. Kings many times. 235 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,560 In the Bible, we've come across this term Magi. 236 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,320 If you know, in the Old Testament book of Daniel, Daniel 237 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:32,760 was appointed to be chief. Of the Magi king Nebuchadnezzar 238 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:36,840 of Babylon has bad dreams. He calls for his so called wise 239 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,240 men, the Magi to come and. Interpret the dream, he tells. 240 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:43,640 Them you tell me the dream. 1st and then the interpretation of 241 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,960 that. But only Daniel, who was 242 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,000 connected. To the Most High, God was able 243 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,360 to give the dream and the interpretation. 244 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,440 As a consequence, he was elevated to a chief of all of 245 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,600 this group. Of magi, we know that. 246 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:01,400 You know, as a Jewish. Boy he grew up in. 247 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,800 Babylon became this head of the Magi. 248 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:08,800 And he left a lot of material and instruction. 249 00:13:08,800 --> 00:13:11,440 That no doubt these magi. Had studied. 250 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:16,400 And learnt from and and. Considered Where is he the. 251 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:20,520 Question is asked in. Verse 2 who has been born king 252 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,360 of the Jews? And this is Matthew's premise 253 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:24,840 all along as we've been going through it, his primary 254 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,840 audience. In the Gospel of Matthew is a 255 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:31,280 Jewish audience. Who were big on the Messiah, The 256 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:34,240 Promised One. His claim straight away is that 257 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:38,600 Jesus of Nazareth was not only a descendant of David, not only a 258 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:42,720 descendant of Abraham, but that he is the King. 259 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,680 The Messiah, the fulfilment of these promises. 260 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:49,000 So this is what it's all about. And these wise men echo that. 261 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,240 And that's why Matthew highlights this story. 262 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:55,680 Because Daniel in his book in Chapter 9 had. 263 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:57,560 Highlighted the Messiah who had come. 264 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,440 His magi probably were aware of it through the manuscripts. 265 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:03,240 Left and the scrolls that they would study. 266 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,720 And been poring over copies of the scriptures. 267 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:09,480 Left in Babylon from the Jewish people who'd been captive there 268 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:12,120 and returned in the. Land and and I can picture these 269 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,080 wise men. These magi combing. 270 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,520 Through texts of. The scriptures and the scrolls 271 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:20,120 in their studies, whatever that might have looked like for them 272 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:23,640 back then. And finding significant passages 273 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:26,440 through probably the Old Testament things like in 274 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:28,160 numbers. Chapter 24, which says. 275 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:29,760 A *. Will come from Jacob. 276 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:32,640 A ruler will. Rise from Israel. 277 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:34,760 You can see them making notes on that. 278 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:38,840 Or Isaiah Chapter 9. Often quoted at Christmas. 279 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:41,120 The people who walked in darkness have seen a. 280 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:43,520 Great light. And those who dwell. 281 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:46,040 In the shadow of death on them a great light has shined. 282 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:50,440 Or again in Isaiah. Chapter 60 The gentile shall. 283 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:53,200 Come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising. 284 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:56,200 Imagine they looked. At that and some other. 285 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:57,680 Predictions. In the scriptures and they. 286 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:03,400 Knew that a Jewish king was to be born who who would rule over 287 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:05,360 not only the Jewish people, but all. 288 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:06,840 Of the world and. Be a blessing. 289 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,600 And they applied their math and they applied their their their 290 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,920 study of the sciences and of the astronomy to this. 291 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:18,360 So the question comes each time that this passage is read. 292 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,720 Well, what is this star of? Bethlehem, then, that they saw. 293 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:27,800 In the east and that seemed to. Magically reappear in Bethlehem. 294 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:30,120 Over the house. It's kind of a fun. 295 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:33,840 Question that nobody really knows the real answer to. 296 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,960 There's a lot of different explanations, fellow. 297 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:41,080 Called Alfred Edersham, a Hebrew scholar, said that. 298 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:44,200 He thinks it was a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and 299 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,560 Saturn and the constellation of Pisces at the time. 300 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:51,720 Maybe it's a good possibility. Others. 301 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,680 Say it was a supernova. This *. 302 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,040 That appeared in the East. And that later reappeared. 303 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:00,520 You know that's a star that explodes and continues to emit 304 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,480 light for for weeks, even months. 305 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:06,400 Thereafter, some say a comet like a Haley's comet, it's. 306 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:10,400 In the Earth's rotation, others like a low. 307 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,880 Hanging Luminous Meteor. And then there's others. 308 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:19,440 Not even worth mentioning. What it was exactly is really 309 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,240 inconsequential. What's most? 310 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,200 Important and the point of the story is that. 311 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:27,920 Even these foreigners. Were aware of a significant 312 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:31,320 birth that had taken place. And you know. 313 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,600 What with that significant birth, here's what they did. 314 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:38,080 They came to worship. They came to worship. 315 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:41,680 These foreign kingmakers. If you want to see them as that, 316 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:43,880 these wise men. Their long journey from the. 317 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:49,280 East followed this. Star making their way. 318 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,400 Toward Jerusalem and now near Bethlehem. 319 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:53,600 And they asked the question. Where is he? 320 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:56,800 Where is this king? We've been studying about him 321 00:16:56,800 --> 00:17:00,000 for years and we've had all of these important scriptures and 322 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,480 we've been researching and looking into the evidence and 323 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:04,760 our guy Daniel, he mentioned. It a while back. 324 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:07,720 Maybe you guys might know Daniel there in? 325 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:10,240 Jerusalem. And we've been expecting a 326 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,680 Jewish king. And where is he to be born? 327 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,680 King of the. Jews, they asked the question. 328 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,839 Where can we find him? So that's the wise men, their 329 00:17:18,839 --> 00:17:21,119 question. And I believe there are many 330 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,200 wise men still searching and seeking and asking. 331 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,280 The question today, in fact. Somebody who gave. 332 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:27,599 Their heart to the Lord had been. 333 00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:30,880 Asking that question, seeking where is the truth? 334 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,680 In this world and searching and. And talking with them, seeing 335 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,880 God's hand at. Work in their life leading them 336 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,000 to make a profession and confession of faith this morning 337 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,800 before the Lord so. The wise men ask the question, 338 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:44,760 where is he to? Be born king. 339 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,520 Of the Jews. Let's look. 340 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,760 Secondly, at the foolish men's reaction to that, because 341 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:53,600 there's a couple. First, it's in Herod the King at 342 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:56,080 the time when. Herod the King verse. 343 00:17:56,080 --> 00:18:00,640 Three, it says. Heard this, he was troubled. 344 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,040 Now the word trouble, it's a bit of an understatement. 345 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:08,360 In the English interpretation, it literally means agitated, 346 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,000 shaken to the core, deeply perturbed. 347 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:16,080 Here's a better translation. Herod freaked out. 348 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:21,000 Here's Herod in the king in the in the palace. 349 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,920 The king he is. He's freaking out because this 350 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:29,200 huge entourage. Apartheans of medians these. 351 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,000 Iranian astronomers show up. And they've been tracking. 352 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:35,280 Something they're saying, OK, where is he? 353 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:39,920 Where is he to be born? King of the Jews, Where's who? 354 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:42,480 You know, the king who is to be born. 355 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:44,400 Hang on a. Minute, I'm the king. 356 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,000 Yeah, Herod's thinking. Yeah, the the Jewish. 357 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,960 Born King of the Jews. Now there's the difference 358 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:50,800 because. Herod. 359 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:53,480 If you know anything, and here's why Herod's freaking out. 360 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:55,320 So when he heard that that there's. 361 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,080 There's a king of the Jews. Born, that's who they're 362 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,480 inquiring. About everything in his 363 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,280 competitive. Nature rises to the surface. 364 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,560 You know, insecure. People are often threatened at 365 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,000 the smallest of things, and it's the case here for Herod. 366 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:14,200 You know, you've probably experienced it. 367 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,840 If somebody's prettier than they are and they're insecure about 368 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:19,080 that, they freak out. Somebody. 369 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:21,760 'S smarter than they are. They freak out. 370 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:24,320 If somebody's more. Capable or earns. 371 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,920 More money or more talented? Than them in some ways. 372 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:28,920 Then insecure people don't do well. 373 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:33,480 With competition. Herod is now in competition. 374 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,800 Mode. Here's a little background as to 375 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:40,480 why that makes sense on Herod. Herod was not. 376 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,240 A Jew, he was the king over this area. 377 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,760 But he's not Jewish. In his heritage, he was. 378 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:53,880 What's called an Edomite? From next door, Idumean from the 379 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:59,200 area of Jordan, his dad. Antipater was his name. 380 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:01,600 He'd helped out. Rome a bit. 381 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:06,400 So you've got this time prior to the Roman, a pretty heavy 382 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:09,800 Grecian influence in the region. And then the. 383 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:13,840 Roman Empire takes over and there's some little whispers 384 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:18,400 still of the Grecian influence and some of the politics that 385 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,200 were going on. And so Antipater. 386 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,320 He'd helped out. Rome and because he'd helped 387 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:23,240 out. Rome, Julius. 388 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:25,760 Caesar let his dad, Herod dad rule. 389 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:31,360 Judea Eventually Herod's dad died and Herod the Great that 390 00:20:31,360 --> 00:20:32,800 we're learning of here took over. 391 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:36,160 It's called Great. In history. 392 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:40,880 Because he established and built a lot of things. 393 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:42,960 In fact, if you were to do a tour of Israel today, you'd 394 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:46,600 still see much of the architecture and the the ruins 395 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,120 and remains of that which Herod brought in. 396 00:20:49,120 --> 00:20:51,000 We'd do a tour. Of an area called Masada. 397 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:55,760 It was something that he did and was involved in and at the time. 398 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,560 Herod was doing some advancements on the temple, and 399 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:03,760 I mean some some of the massive. Foundational stones that you see 400 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,720 in a tour of Israel. So it's called great in that 401 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:08,480 way, but. Many say that he was. 402 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,640 Compensating by being short in. Stature and very envious and 403 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:16,560 jealous. And he was allowed by Rome to 404 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:19,880 take this important title of king in the area of the Jews, 405 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:22,200 but not a Jew himself. There was always this threat, 406 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,200 potentially of a future rightfully born Jew coming to 407 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,440 ascend to the throne. And of the the populace. 408 00:21:30,160 --> 00:21:33,920 Coming alongside an individual like that, and so his ears. 409 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,080 Prick up the sound of. Where is he to be born? 410 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,600 King of the. Jews, he freaks out, and that's 411 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,040 why we read later. On of. 412 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,760 What we do of Herod killing every baby in that region? 413 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:50,440 He held tightly to this title, King of the Jews. 414 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:55,960 History remembers him as yes. Great and title, but as. 415 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,080 Cruel and. Paranoid and you know Herod 416 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:02,200 killed one of his wives, a lady called Mary Amnie. 417 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:04,600 He also killed his father in law. 418 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:07,320 He killed two of his sons, lest any. 419 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,160 Of those sons take over his throne. 420 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:11,600 You can see he. Did not like competition. 421 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:16,120 There was a saying back then, and it was a play on words. 422 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:20,240 It's safer to be Herod's pig than it is to be Herod's son. 423 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:26,240 Some. And there's a little. 424 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,720 Doubt over the veracity of this, but some also indicate that when 425 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:32,760 herod was toward the end of his life so about hearing the story 426 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:34,880 and a couple of years beyond what we read of. 427 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:39,240 That he knowing. Full well the estimation of the 428 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,720 population about him. Declared that in his failing. 429 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,080 Health becoming very sick knowing he was soon to. 430 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:48,240 Die he he wanted. Prominent citizens to be. 431 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:53,000 Arrested in Jerusalem and then the order given that when he die 432 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:56,920 they be killed knowing that no one would. 433 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:59,480 Really mourn his death. But they would mourn the others. 434 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:01,800 And there would be. Mourning in Jerusalem upon his. 435 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:06,120 Passing said that historically that didn't occur. 436 00:23:06,120 --> 00:23:07,160 They didn't follow through on his. 437 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,760 Actions. But that's nuts, isn't it, to be 438 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:14,920 so psychotic and, and in that way, it's kind of reminiscent of 439 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,360 of. Stalin, who was so? 440 00:23:16,360 --> 00:23:18,320 Freaking out about certain things that he wouldn't. 441 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,560 Sleep in the same bedroom each night. 442 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,000 So his magi come. On the scene. 443 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:30,080 And ask Herod the the fake usurp it to the throne, not the king 444 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,000 of the Jews. Where is he who is born king of 445 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:37,200 the Jews? Oh, and he's agitated. 446 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:41,000 He's troubled. He says I'd like to have some. 447 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:45,560 More information on that please. Tell me where he is so that I 448 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,240 can. Find him and worship him too, 449 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:49,320 so. That's Herod the King. 450 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:54,000 That's his reaction, and there's another group who react to this. 451 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:58,400 The chief priests, the scribes, the religious gurus. 452 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:01,320 In the land and. He goes to them, Herod does, and 453 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:04,160 he says hey, where is this? King of the Jews to be born and. 454 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:07,160 You'll notice. In verse 5 they said. 455 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:14,120 Just hang on a second, let me check on Google, let me let me 456 00:24:14,120 --> 00:24:17,320 ask Siri, let me check out ChatGPT. 457 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:18,080 What? The answer is no. 458 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:22,360 They knew right away where. The King of the Jews was to be 459 00:24:22,360 --> 00:24:25,960 born. Without almost skipping a beat. 460 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,240 The way that the text reads, they they fire off and say in 461 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:30,800 Bethlehem of Judah. That's where he's to be born. 462 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:35,000 No pause. And they knew instinctively. 463 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:36,640 The prophecies of the Old Testament. 464 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:38,760 And could it? Seems that the snap of. 465 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:42,480 A finger give the answer in Bethlehem, in the land of. 466 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:45,800 Judah they say, because it says written of him by the prophet, 467 00:24:46,120 --> 00:24:48,640 and they quote out of Micah chapter 5, verse 2. 468 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:51,600 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least 469 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:53,840 among the rules of Judah out of you Bethlehem. 470 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:57,520 Shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel. 471 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:01,200 These are the theological elites. 472 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:04,800 Of the day. The professors, the gurus, 473 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:07,760 they're the temple hierarchy, the the Sanhedrin, the 474 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:08,880 religious. Leaders they're. 475 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:11,120 The bigwigs, religiously speaking. 476 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,200 And what's amazing is to me, they knew the messianic 477 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:17,400 expectations of the people of Judah. 478 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:20,520 They knew where the Messiah was to be born. 479 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:22,440 They could quote. Verbatim, no doubt the 480 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,840 scripture. Reference And yet, you know 481 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:26,960 what? Wouldn't you think that if 482 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:28,240 you've been studying and learning? 483 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:31,680 All about that and know. That when you hear that that 484 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,720 child has been born, wouldn't you just even out of curiosity 485 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:36,000 if you didn't believe it when I got. 486 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,920 To go and check this out. They didn't get up and check it 487 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:42,360 out. The wise men went off by 488 00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:45,200 themselves. They could quote the scripture. 489 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:47,600 But they would not move their feet. 490 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:52,920 And Bethlehem, understand, is really just a suburb of 491 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:55,600 Jerusalem. It's in close proximity. 492 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:57,680 It's not a very far journey at all. 493 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:02,960 From where they are in Jerusalem to get to Bethlehem, so. 494 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,720 Why did they not? Check it out. 495 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:09,440 I mean the magi. Had been travelling for months. 496 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:12,600 It's just what? It's just Bethlehem down the 497 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:14,000 road. Yeah, of course we'll go. 498 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:19,240 But these guys couldn't even journey those few kilometres to 499 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:24,200 Bethlehem from Jerusalem. It reminds me of a scripture. 500 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:27,960 In Amos chapter 6 verse one it says woe to those who are 501 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:33,400 complacent in Zion. They're in Zion, they're in 502 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:38,600 Jerusalem. They're so apathetic, so 503 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:43,480 complacent. They're at ease in comfort in 504 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:46,040 Zion. And there's a lesson. 505 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:50,960 There, you know, some people think they know enough Bible. 506 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,200 They've heard enough. Of the Bible stories. 507 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:57,480 They've even read it through, in fact, some. 508 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:00,120 People know a lot of Bible stuff and they can quote names and 509 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:02,760 they can give places and they can correct your 510 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:06,240 misunderstanding or misinformation even, and they'll 511 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:09,400 study it and they'll analyse it like these guys, these religious 512 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,000 leaders who could quote it. They'll look at it in the 513 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:15,400 original language, they'll chart it and map it all out, and 514 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,720 they'll know all of the Jewish. Practises and the customs and 515 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:19,800 they do everything. Except this. 516 00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:25,160 Obey it everything except live it out and apply it. 517 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:29,400 They don't do it. That's this group of people. 518 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:32,960 And even in the church, there are some who are inoculated. 519 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:35,360 With a mild form of. Christianity. 520 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:39,960 So as to render them. Immune from the real thing. 521 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:46,120 Complacent in Zion, maybe. You know, people like that. 522 00:27:46,120 --> 00:27:49,880 Especially as we approach. Easter might invite them along. 523 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:55,080 To church or over to your house? And they'll quote you the 524 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:58,480 scripture and the passages, and they'll give you, are we going 525 00:27:58,480 --> 00:27:59,920 to sing this song? And they'll know the. 526 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:02,440 Lyrics. And that's the foolish man in 527 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:05,800 the story. The wise men, they ask the 528 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:07,160 question, where is he to be born? 529 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:09,400 King of the Jews? Herod freaks out. 530 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:11,040 He. Knows that he's a usurpate to 531 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:13,120 the throne and that there's trouble. 532 00:28:13,240 --> 00:28:17,160 On the horizon, if there really is a a newborn king of the Jews 533 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:21,160 arrive and then these men who knew the scriptures, who knew 534 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,120 the passages could tell Herod where to go and where this king 535 00:28:24,120 --> 00:28:27,480 was to be born and and send the wise men off in their journey 536 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:30,440 could not even be. Bothered to travel those couple 537 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:34,240 of kilometres themselves let's close with this the proper 538 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,840 adoration we go into the story now in verse 9 says when they 539 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:38,800 heard the. King. 540 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:41,760 That's Herod they. Departed and they left 541 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:44,640 Jerusalem, and behold. The star which they had seen in 542 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,560 the East went before them until it came, and stood over where 543 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:50,880 the young child was. When they saw the star, they 544 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:55,280 rejoiced with exceeding great joy, probably jumping. 545 00:28:55,280 --> 00:29:00,360 Up and down a little bit. Pretty stoked, pretty excited. 546 00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:06,760 West Coast one again and when they had come into the house. 547 00:29:08,600 --> 00:29:11,760 They saw the young child notice child not a baby anymore. 548 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:16,480 Child with Mary, his mother. Fell down and worshipped him. 549 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:19,640 When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts 550 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:21,520 to him, gold, frankincense and myrrh. 551 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:26,640 So whatever sort of wise. Men they were before this, now 552 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:30,440 they're really wise men now they're really showing their 553 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:32,720 wisdom as they come into the house. 554 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:35,840 I want you to notice that they worshipped him before they gave 555 00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:39,400 their gifts, it said. You might say that. 556 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:40,920 The gift giving was part of their. 557 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:43,800 Worship, and certainly probably the case, but it says in the 558 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:47,640 text, they worshipped Him and then they gave their gifts. 559 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:52,640 I want you to notice that and it's so vital, so important. 560 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:58,080 In other words, they worship, they gave themselves 1st, and 561 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,560 then they gave their gifts to Him. 562 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:05,520 Notice to him I just want to say that's what. 563 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:09,520 God is interested in. He's more interested in your. 564 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:15,520 Heart than in your financial gift not that gifts there's not 565 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:18,600 that there's anything wrong with with us giving to the Lord and 566 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:20,520 we encourage that and it's scriptural but. 567 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:23,000 But God. Knows that when he has your 568 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:25,520 heart. Then he has. 569 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:29,160 All of you. So they did that. 570 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:32,120 They understood that. They bowed down in worship. 571 00:30:32,120 --> 00:30:35,280 They fell and says they gave themselves 1st and then they 572 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,360 gave their gifts. Now, Speaking of the gifts, what 573 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:39,640 gifts did they give? Gold. 574 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:40,760 Frankincense. And myrrh. 575 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,280 And there's something. In this gold, we understand to 576 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:47,000 be the medal of kings, Speaking of royalty and it was customary 577 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:50,680 especially back in antiquity as we're we're examining this, that 578 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:53,640 if you approach a king, you will always bear a gift. 579 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:56,200 You don't approach a king and go, what's that? 580 00:30:56,200 --> 00:30:57,440 What's happening mate? It's. 581 00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:01,160 Not that casual thing. You you come bringing something. 582 00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:03,640 And a typical gift to bring a king was gold. 583 00:31:04,920 --> 00:31:07,320 Gold. Was a typical gift given to an 584 00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:10,040 ancient king and. Since Matthew's theme all 585 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:13,360 through Gospel of Matthew here is to present Jesus as the King 586 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:15,920 of the Jews, it would make sense that Matthew would highlight 587 00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:17,640 this. Gift that would be included. 588 00:31:17,840 --> 00:31:20,600 In these wise men coming from the East to give the child. 589 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:23,520 Jesus, a gift of gold, the medal of kings. 590 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:28,440 Now, one thing we know. About Joseph and Mary and. 591 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:31,280 Here's God's practical. Intervention in their life. 592 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:35,440 We read of them having been appeared Joseph by God. 593 00:31:35,440 --> 00:31:39,400 In a dream to go. To Egypt and they travel to 594 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:41,880 Egypt, but. Joseph and Mary are so poor that 595 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,600 when they go to the. Temple to give. 596 00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:46,560 Their gift, their offering. They have to give the the 597 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:51,480 poorest gift. Of a dove, two birds, 2 pigeons, 598 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:56,120 2 turtle, 2 turtle doves these these gifts, which is what only 599 00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:59,880 the poorest would bring. And yet now, with the gold, they 600 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:02,080 have enough. To be able to make their safe 601 00:32:02,080 --> 00:32:05,920 journey and travel into Egypt. Amazing God's provision. 602 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:10,280 So gold is the first. Gift Second gift is 603 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:12,960 frankincense. Now frankincense, it's incense 604 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:17,680 very expensive fragrance, at least back then in that day, I'm 605 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:19,800 pretty sure it still is. If those of you who are into 606 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:22,880 your essential oils, frankincense one of the the 607 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:25,520 toughest ones to find, but in. Judaism. 608 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:30,120 It was used by the Jewish priesthood for the meal 609 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:32,240 offering. Would include frankincense as 610 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:34,440 well. I think that's significant 611 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:36,200 because it reminds us that Jesus. 612 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,920 So Jesus is the king, but he is also Jesus is our high priest. 613 00:32:40,840 --> 00:32:47,760 Scriptures tell us that. So gold frankincense and then 614 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:50,120 you notice that the third. Gift is the gift of myrrh. 615 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:52,160 Now this. Is the strangest gift to give a 616 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:52,880 young. Baby. 617 00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:57,000 It's the weirdest of the. 3 gold makes sense for a king. 618 00:32:57,760 --> 00:33:01,160 Frankincense for a priest and. You know, as a sacrifice and 619 00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:05,560 something that was. Used in that Mer Mer served 2 620 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:07,360 purposes. Back then, typically. 621 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:11,160 Was often mixed with wine as an anaesthetic. 622 00:33:12,480 --> 00:33:15,400 To take away the pain. You know, if somebody had 623 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,600 chronic pain or episodic pain, that mixture would have been 624 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:21,000 given to the patient to help dull the pain. 625 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:23,560 That's what they tried to. Give Jesus when he was suffering 626 00:33:23,560 --> 00:33:25,640 on the cross. He turned it away. 627 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:30,920 But also myrrh when it was mixed. 628 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:33,720 Not with. Wine as we read off. 629 00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:36,440 For that anaesthetic property, but with aloes. 630 00:33:36,760 --> 00:33:39,600 Was used to. Embalm the dead. 631 00:33:41,800 --> 00:33:45,200 If you know in your Bible, in the Gospel of John, some 100 lbs 632 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:46,720 of that. Was was purchased? 633 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:50,240 Of mirror and aloes to wrap Jesus. 634 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:53,920 At that point in time and I would take the burial cloth, 635 00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:57,120 soak it in that mixture and wrap the body to take away the stench 636 00:33:57,120 --> 00:34:02,040 in the tomb. So can I just say that's a weird 637 00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:08,280 gift to give a baby. Could you imagine today a baby 638 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:12,840 is born, somebody in the family? Says, oh, I've purchased their 639 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:17,320 coffin already. Oh. 640 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:18,679 Thank you. Imagine Mary and Joseph 641 00:34:18,679 --> 00:34:20,760 embalming fluid. Just what we've always wanted. 642 00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:23,960 But can I tell? You. 643 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:27,159 It makes perfect sense. Remember what the Angel said to 644 00:34:27,159 --> 00:34:29,120 Joseph? Remember what the Angel said to 645 00:34:29,120 --> 00:34:33,360 Mary? You shall call his name Jesus, 646 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:38,040 because he will save his people. From their sins. 647 00:34:39,520 --> 00:34:42,400 How did he save people from sin? It's this week. 648 00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:48,120 But going to the place where MUR was used in abundance to embalm. 649 00:34:48,800 --> 00:34:51,520 So there's such significance built into this story of the 650 00:34:51,520 --> 00:34:53,920 gold and of the frankincense of the myrrh. 651 00:34:55,480 --> 00:34:57,840 By the way, something else interesting about myrrh as we're 652 00:34:57,840 --> 00:34:59,920 nearly finishing here as we close this off. 653 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:04,760 You know, myrrh is a spice that only gives off its sweetness, 654 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:09,000 it's scent when it is crushed. When it's crushed. 655 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:13,800 What did Isaiah the prophet say would happen to Jesus? 656 00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:19,600 Isaiah chapter 53, some 650 years before Jesus was even 657 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:24,040 born, Isaiah the prophet said of Jesus that he would be pierced 658 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:29,000 for our transgressions and crushed, bruised for our 659 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:32,240 iniquities. And it was that death, Jesus 660 00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:36,920 death, that we head towards this week, that crushing, that was a. 661 00:35:36,920 --> 00:35:41,760 Sweet smell to God. Because now God could say, now I 662 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:46,320 can forgive that payment, that penalty, and now I can forgive 663 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:52,920 you and you and you and all of us, gold, frankincense and 664 00:35:52,920 --> 00:35:53,200 myrrh. So. 665 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:56,800 I want to begin. So begin. 666 00:35:56,800 --> 00:35:59,280 It's like, oh. What have you been doing this 667 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:01,440 whole time? Want to end? 668 00:36:01,440 --> 00:36:03,480 Don't freak out. You all just. 669 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:08,120 Went like Herod on me. So I want to end. 670 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:11,280 Asking this question. Who in this? 671 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:19,640 Story you most like you my most like Herod, are you? 672 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:24,720 Following the star of self. Maybe are you a little? 673 00:36:24,720 --> 00:36:29,000 King sitting on the throne of your own Kingdom, and you don't 674 00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:34,240 want to allow God to interfere? In your life in any way because 675 00:36:34,240 --> 00:36:35,720 he interferes with your. Plans. 676 00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:41,200 Your rule, your reign, you. Don't want any competition. 677 00:36:43,200 --> 00:36:46,440 Even God's competition, and sadly, that's many people. 678 00:36:46,440 --> 00:36:53,840 Today, isn't it? And sadly, like Herod, you might 679 00:36:53,840 --> 00:36:56,960 even claim to be a worshipper. Oh, find out where he is, that I 680 00:36:56,960 --> 00:37:02,440 may come and worship him too, Herod. 681 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:05,880 Wasn't a worshipper and sadly many people. 682 00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:08,240 In the world and many people even in. 683 00:37:08,240 --> 00:37:11,880 Pews today are still consumed with a star of self sitting as 684 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:13,960 illegitimate kings over their own lives. 685 00:37:14,280 --> 00:37:16,720 Ruling and reigning their own. Little Kingdom that they've set 686 00:37:16,720 --> 00:37:22,040 up. You like Herod, You like their 687 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:25,760 religious leaders. They're following a star, the 688 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:29,520 star of religion. They can quote the Bible. 689 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:31,760 They've got the academic. Knowledge they've got, the study 690 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,720 they analyse, but there's no real relationship or connection 691 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:38,200 to Almighty God. It's not actual. 692 00:37:39,560 --> 00:37:41,560 In their lives, they they knew the Bible. 693 00:37:41,560 --> 00:37:43,440 Yes, they knew prophecy. They knew the birth. 694 00:37:43,440 --> 00:37:46,720 Place they had the right answer, but they had the wrong action. 695 00:37:47,720 --> 00:37:52,280 No obedience, no follow through. Or, and I think this is the 696 00:37:52,320 --> 00:37:59,200 answer for most #3 you, like the Magi, followed the star of 697 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:02,480 Christ. They took it as a sign and they 698 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:03,720 came. And they sought him out. 699 00:38:03,720 --> 00:38:05,760 Where is he to be? Born king of the Jews, and they 700 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:09,720 fell down and worshipped and. They gave of their gifts. 701 00:38:10,040 --> 00:38:13,840 They gave themselves. Around Christmas time, I don't. 702 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:16,600 Know if you've seen it. There's a bumper sticker that 703 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:20,080 often appears and maybe you've even got it on AT shirt or on a 704 00:38:20,080 --> 00:38:23,760 coffee cup that says this. Wise men still seek him. 705 00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:28,080 Wise men still seek him. Are you a wise? 706 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:30,680 Man are. You a wise woman? 707 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:35,760 Seeking Jesus I just want to close on this note verse 12 look 708 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:39,360 at it really quickly says then being divinely warned in a dream 709 00:38:40,040 --> 00:38:41,440 that they should not return to Herod. 710 00:38:41,440 --> 00:38:43,800 They departed for their own country another way. 711 00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:47,160 Now I know what that. Actually, literally means that 712 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:48,560 they. Took a different route than the 713 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:51,720 way that they came right they got. 714 00:38:51,720 --> 00:38:53,880 Warned Don't go back to Jerusalem. 715 00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:56,000 Don't go to Herod. He'll kill you. 716 00:38:58,320 --> 00:38:59,600 And then they took. Another route home. 717 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:03,160 But I also want to say just let that verse sink into your heart 718 00:39:03,160 --> 00:39:07,120 as we close, because that's what happens when a person encounters 719 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:10,760 Jesus the Christ. When you actually. 720 00:39:10,760 --> 00:39:13,800 Come into contact with Jesus and you acknowledge him as the 721 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:17,680 Christ, as the King. You leave differently than when 722 00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:20,720 you came. There's a change, there's a 723 00:39:20,720 --> 00:39:25,760 transformation. We saw that pictured in baptism 724 00:39:26,160 --> 00:39:29,800 observed this afternoon. The Bible says if any man is in 725 00:39:29,800 --> 00:39:32,480 Christ, he is what a new creation. 726 00:39:32,920 --> 00:39:35,880 The old things have passed away, and behold, all things become. 727 00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:37,080 New. That's a promise. 728 00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:39,560 For you, that's a truth, that's a reality. 729 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:44,560 For you in encountering Jesus Christ, you know only God can do 730 00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:46,680 what needs to be done in your life. 731 00:39:47,320 --> 00:39:52,280 Only God can fulfil the greatest plans and purposes that He has 732 00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:56,040 for your life and bring peace and forgiveness and a clean 733 00:39:56,040 --> 00:39:59,080 slate. And a reason to live. 734 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:05,960 So let him do that. Be wise, give yourself worship 735 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:20,360 before him just to know you. You must be his friend, my 736 00:40:20,440 --> 00:40:20,640 friend.