Well, I invite you to turn in your Bibles this morning to Matthew chapter 2, to Matthew chapter 2, as we will be spending the entire day in Matthew chapter 2. This morning will be verses 1 through 12, and tonight we'll conclude the chapter looking at the wise men here from Matthew 2, reflect upon this inspired text that helps us to understand the coming of Christ and the incarnation so Matthew chapter 2 beginning at verse 1 this is the word of the Lord now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king behold wise men came from the east to Jerusalem saying where is he who has been born king of the Jews for we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him when Herod the king heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him in Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet. And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. For from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you've found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him. After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country another way. There is the reading of God's word this morning. Matthew chapter 2 is a very unique presentation of the birth of Christ. And it comes to us in a unique way of challenging us with our response to the coming of the King. It really is. Matthew has that intention as we look at chapter 2 this morning. Somebody said recently, I came across it this week, and this is important for this as we consider. Do you notice how many times worship was the focus of chapter 2? worship herod said i want to worship this is a peculiar time uh when we when it coincides the birth of christ coincides with the cultural celebration of christmas i heard a pastor say this past week jesus didn't die to create a holiday and i thought that's an important point jesus didn't die to create a holiday or to make his worship more special on a holiday process that for a minute i fear that the cultural celebration of christmas doesn't really lead us anywhere what i mean is we're sort of left with fascination it's the tradition that we've built in that's why i always kind of um think it's interesting when some people track uh attack tradition they're really confronted with how really they are given to tradition when it comes to Christmas. We like gifts. We like the season. But do we really appreciate what the Bible is leading us to do with the birth of Jesus? That's what I think Matthew's pressing us with. How much does our celebration of the coming of Christ look like the first century Christians who understood it, those who received it? That's the, I think, pressing question of Matthew's gospel and that's where Matthew is particularly challenging us. Matthew has the intention of showing what the birth of Christ means for us and what we should do with his arrival and what it means for worship. This is what chapter 2 is all about and what we learn from those here is a fascinating message for us today in our day as we have a coincidence with this cultural celebration. Jesus wants true worshipers, doesn't he? Isn't that what he said in John chapter four? That really what God is after and what he's seeking for are true worshipers who will worship him in spirit and in truth. And I think Matthew really captures that for us in his arrival here right from the outset. If Matthew were here today and we were talking with Matthew and said, well, With all this detail in the Gospels, what do you really want to say to us? I think Matthew would say, well, I'm going to do something for you. I'm going to present to you certain responses at his coming. And I want you to work with that. I want you to analyze them. I want you to think about that. And I want you to ask a fundamental question as you analyze the responses to the coming of the king. How have you responded to his arrival? If you have these two contrasted groups here of response to the king, where do you fit? You see, when we rightly understand the celebration of what we call Christmas, it leads us to a certain kind of response in all of life, which I believe has the ultimate test on the Sabbath when it comes to worship. So we're going to look at this this morning because Matthew shows us something unique by his arrival. And when we open up this account, I think it helps us to see by way of contrast what Matthew is doing in challenging us on this great question of worshiping the king. Notice in verse 1, as we open up this passage, now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men came from the east of Jerusalem saying, where is he who has been born king of the jews for we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him scripture records for us in here that there were these magi or wise men running around jerusalem and they're asking the question where is he where's the king he's come we've seen the star and uh it's really a remarkable thought when you think about these men running around the streets of Jerusalem and they have no real knowledge of the scriptures like the Jews do. And they're running around asking for guidance because they had seen his great star that had led them first to Jerusalem. Where is he? Where is he? We want to worship him. How many sermons have you heard trying to figure out who these guys are? the magi. And how many sermons have you heard trying to figure out the star? Well, it is interesting. I do think both are important questions. But I think they're important questions scripturally and theologically. What do I mean by that? I want you to look at verse 9. And behold, the star that they had seen when it arose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. Imagine hearing that story as Israel would have read it all these years. Huh, this great luminary, this fire pillar, whatever it was, goes before these magi in the wilderness and it leads them and it stops at a certain place. Hmm. That sounds kind of familiar to Israel's history, doesn't it? Sounds really familiar to Israel's history. What should be familiar, you'll remember, is that something Nehemiah said about the great pillar of fire in the wilderness. In your great mercies, you did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud led them by the way, did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, for them the way i'm sorry i just messed up the passage i'm going to read that again the pillar of cloud to lead them by the way did not depart from them by day nor the pillar fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go want to know the fulfillment of the glory cloud here you are the fulfillment of the glory cloud in the wilderness is right here in matthew chapter 2 the cloud the glory the star led them through the wilderness these magi and it stops over their inheritance and deliverance right there it's really a remarkable moment in matthew's gospel working a lot with history and fulfillment here of the scriptures that's how the new testament writers when they present these accounts. That's what they're doing with these particular passages. They're not just things to figure out from the culture. They're working theologically from the whole of the Bible to explain this truth. And one of the surprising texts that we find in fulfillment, just listen to a few of them for a moment to understand what he's saying now about not just what this symbolism was as it led them and stopped over their deliverance but who had come listen to Haggai for thus says the Lord of hosts once more it is a little while I'm going to shake heaven and earth the sea and dry land and I'm going to shake all the nations and they shall come to the desire of the nations and I'll fill the temple with glory says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine and the gold is mine. Huh. Magi have come. They've dropped the silver and the gold. But of particular fulfillment I'm going to read the whole psalm. Of particular fulfillment is Psalm 72. Listen to this. May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute. May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. Remember when the queen of Sheba came to Solomon and she said, the glory has rested on you, basically, the king. This was all foreshadowing something. May all kings fall down before him and nations serve him. For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life and precious in their blood is his sight. Long may he live. May gold of Sheba be given to him. May prayer be made for him continually and blessings invoked for him all the day. may there be abundance of grain in the land and tops of the mountains may it wave may its fruit be like Lebanon and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field may his name endure forever his fame continue as long as the sun may people be blessed in him all nations call him blessed blessed be the Lord the God of Israel who alone does wondrous things you have the fulfillment of psalm 72 right here right here of the entire old testament the glory cloud everything that israel had been waiting for of all their deliverance and here it is the cloud has come the star has come and it's rested upon this child to say here he is here's the king he's arrived and the coastlands of the nations are glad that was why i read isaiah 60 right at the beginning arise for your light has has come and the glory of the lord has risen upon you for behold darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples but the lord will arise upon you and his glory will be seen upon you and nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising Matthew 2. Fulfillment right here of all the scriptures. There's a reason Jesus is called the morning star that rises in our hearts. So, God had announced to us in the birth, not only that the king has come, but the marvel here is, is who is coming? The Gentiles are coming. The coastlands of the peoples are coming. Japheth is enlarged. Think of that in the tents of Shem. Here we have the total fulfillment of the promise right at the birth of Jesus that you, your people, are coming to Jesus. Why? Why? Because he has pity on the weak, and he has pity on the needy. To save the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence, he redeems their life. And they see it. They have come to the king. They have come to worship. But now, beloved, a great contrast begins. a contrast that is stark, a contrast that you can't miss, a contrast in the covenant people that had to be addressed. Matthew begins to press on everyone their response to this great truth. And I don't know if you picked it up in the first two verses, but you have two kings mentioned, don't you? You have the king mentioned, and then you have the king of the Jews, who is Herod. Notice that after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king. Herod the king, what a comment and what a contrast that Matthew wants us to consider and work with just for a minute. Herod the king, notice the great language here. When Herod heard this, he was troubled and don't miss who else was troubled, all of Jerusalem with him. What? This tension dominates this narrative between the true king and the false king and worship and worship all with the question of who is the real king and what have we done with that and what are we looking for? The wise men are running around Jerusalem and have asked where is the king of Israel which is a remarkable thing to say when Herod is the king? Running around the streets asking this great question, and I'm sure all the people immediately said, oh, no. What Matthew is doing is he's showing us a surprising response. After all these many years of Israel's history, after all their seeking of the king, here's the response in Jerusalem when he came. The one sitting on the throne in Jerusalem, now listen to me carefully, the place of David's throne was a total rebellious imposter. A total rebellious imposter. He wasn't even a Jew. He was an Edomite. He's from Esau. What moves me in verse 3 was, when Herod the king heard this, he was troubled in all Jerusalem with him i don't know about you but that's the most disturbing statement in the text why are they troubled why are they troubled why would that statement be given to us by matthew why would god's people be troubled by the birth of jesus well if you read the commentaries i'll give you an earthly perspective on it they'll say a reasoning like, well, you know, Herod was a tyrant, and Herod was cruel, and they probably knew that things were going to get really bad in Jerusalem with this threat. I have no doubt that's true. He was a loose cannon. Do you know he killed his wife? He killed his three sons. He had no problem with wiping out babies. But I believe Matthew has a specific and purpose, intention in showing us this in the fulfillment of something that is much more important than just Herod's threat. Probably the most remarkable thing was what Herod thought of himself as the king of the Jews. He prided himself with the title. Did you know that? He loved to be called the king of the Jews. He proudly honored himself with that title and he thought he had earned it. Rome gave it to them. Do you know what he did for them? You ever thought about what Herod did for the nation of Israel? Well, he built a magnificent kingdom in Jerusalem. It had not been seen like this since the days of Solomon. He practiced the Jewish religion. He wasn't even a believer. but he practiced it he would get up at orations and say things very similar to some of our presidents let me quote one christmas what um this is what our presidents do at christmas we thank god for sending his son to bring peace to our souls and joy to the world most presidents do this and i've sat back and i thought i don't know if i believe you though i haven't heard biden do that yet i suspect you won't get that maybe you will do we ever stand back from our presence and think wow what devout believers they're in church every sunday herod did it built a big theater gave him back the glory of of jerusalem as it was a luxurious palace with famous towers that went up. When he addressed the people, Josephus records this. So it's so interesting to listen to Josephus in his dedication of the temple when it was rebuilt and restored in its glory as much as could be since Solomon. I think I need not speak to you, says Herod, my countrymen, about such other works as I have done since I came to the kingdom. Although I may say they have been performed in such a manner as to bring more security to you than glory for myself. Yeah, right. You believe that? For I have neither been negligent in the most difficult times about what tended to ease your necessities. Nor have the buildings. I have been made to prosper to preserve me as yourselves from injuries. And I imagine that with God's assistance, listen to this, I have advanced the nation of the Jews to a degree of happiness which they never had before. What an arrogant punk. Prayers were offered up in Israel thanking God for Herod. It was a beautiful and powerful restoration. He even restored the city of Samaria. That was the capital of the Northern Empire. He built seaports. When famine hit the region, he imported garments and food for the people. But the major thing he did was restore Jerusalem's sanctuary and temple for worship. that hadn't been done since the days of Haggai in the second major temple restoration after Solomon. Under Herod, the kingdom was back. Like never before. And a strong man sat on the throne. And if anything of the history of Israel, what that tells us, that's what they always wanted. isn't it something he restored the worship of God back at Jerusalem? The king has now come. And guess what? They don't want him. They don't want him. What a problem. Remember in Matthew chapter 15, the king was walking around and he was criticized for breaking the traditions? Remember what Jesus said? You hypocrites. Well did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain they worship me. Huh. I wonder today how different we are. You think Christmas celebrations and services might get that same charge from Jesus? In their traditions, they worship me. They make Christmas the big deal. But their hearts are far. Whose hearts are far? Who wants to come near? See? See the contrast? Whose hearts are far? Who wants to come near? Where's our heart right now? What would make us most happy? Maybe that's a good question to ask. Well, for some people, if we could fix the political problems of this age, it would sure animate a lot of people, wouldn't it? If we could fix these problems, we would surely be a happy people. more happy than we are. If the economy was better, I mean, at least give us better gas prices, right? It's ridiculous. If we could have a powerful leader who would restore prosperity in America, if the corruption could stop, if the lies and hatred that we feel, and if they could just give us back our freedom to worship. if they could give us restored protection, leave us alone, if they could come and take away this problem of COVID, I'm sick of it, aren't you? If we could achieve strong prosperity again, if corruption could be gone, if all this could be fixed, it really wouldn't matter much about the faith of the leader so long as he gave us these things. What would that say about us? What would that say about our hearts? After a long period of rejection, if we could receive this again, you know, I feel that right now. Long period of rejection. Where is the heart of the people today? Answer that. Where is the heart of the people today in the church? Listen for me, to me. As much as was possible, Herod, the king, did it. My great question, in all that, who in Israel was concerned about sin? That's what I said at the Christmas last Sunday night, Isaiah 40. Who was taking sin seriously? It wasn't really about that anymore. Is it about that anymore in the church today? That's a good question to be challenged with, isn't it? Who's on their knees like David, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner. I need to be near you. now in all that contrast wise men are running around the streets isn't it interesting the Holy Spirit chose wise men who's wise in this present age they want to come near for worship inner Jesus no outward glory no beauty that we should desire him wouldn't even take his seat on Jerusalem's throne oh Israel tried remember John 6 hey we'll make you king now I want nothing to do with that born in obscurity they're troubled why are they troubled could be a lot of reasons but I think the long history of Israel tells us why remember when this great issue of a king came up in history 1 Samuel 4 then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel Arama and said to him look you're old your sons don't walk in your ways now make us a king to judge us like all the nations it's the same construction as the golden calf make us God they were looking at all the strength of the nations and saying we need something better than this but the thing displeased Samuel when they said give us a king to judge us so Samuel prayed to the Lord I've always found this the most heartbreaking statement in the Old Testament and the Lord said to Samuel heed the voice of the people and all they say to you for they've not rejected you but they have rejected me that I should reign over them I'm their king that's on Matthew's mind and it's proven here Herod hears this and he asks Where is the king of Israel to be born? So Herod goes to the scribes, the wise guys of Israel, the people who know the law, the people who know the scriptures. Where is he? Where is he to be born? He doesn't know the scriptures. This guy had never read the scriptures. And they say, well, he's supposed to be born in Bethlehem. And of Judea. And then they quote scripture here. It's remarkable. But you, notice this, Micah 5. O Bethlehem of Ephrath, who are too little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth to me, one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient of days. Contrast. Magi are running around being led to their deliverance. They don't have the scriptures. Israel has the scriptures. Notice this. And they just rejected him knowing it. Matthew shows us all the spiritual indifference and unbelief of people who have a knowledge of God, listen, but still have not received their king. Their heart was not after the reason Jesus came. They quoted Micah, but they didn't read Micah. What was the heart of Micah's message? Listen to it. Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage. He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us. He will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from days of old. That's what Micah was celebrating in his coming. Who's celebrating it? That's the need. That's the reason God sent his son to die, beloved. That's why he brought him into this world. To fulfill the promise to Abraham that he'd forgive your sins. To bring in an everlasting kingdom. The encouragement here today is this. It's the wise men. What do they represent for us? All those who receive their king. What does that look like? Looks like true worshipers who aren't just celebrating a cultural celebration. Herod tells us the wise men go to find and bring back word. We know what he would have done. He would have sent an army to kill the baby. God intervenes and says, don't go back. Defy that unjust tyrant. What does the scene leave us with? Wise men. It's almost a play on word, I think, there. Here's the imagery. With little knowledge, with little resource, they leave their homes, they leave all. They embark on a long, arduous journey. They understand the need for deliverance. They're brought through the wilderness. They're brought by a powerful sign to bring them to the deliverance. The star leads them in the wilderness and then it stops right over the child. What a beautiful scene we end with in Matthew 2, this section. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother and they fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There he is. There's the desire of the nations. There's God incarnate who came down to us from heaven. There he is. Eastern worship, you kind of see it among Muslims. They got on their knees and they prostrated themselves and they put their foreheads on the ground and they stretched out their arms. And that's the imagery to the one who deserves all worship. That's what worship is, bowing down your life. What mental imagery. In tears of joy, they grabbed their pouches and they fulfill the scriptures of all the old testament talked about psalm 72 may kings fall down before him may all the nations worship him for he delivers the needy when he calls the poor who has no helper he has pity on the weak and the needy and he saves the lives of the needy. What do you need, beloved? What do I need? We're all mess. There's a lot of broken people right now. There's a lot of people here struggling with sin, guilt for the things they do. Who's the hope of the nations? I was close with this at the gym the other day, I met a man, another gem story, sorry, I just do my best work there, told me a story when he finds out I'm a pastor. I said something I often hear, I played church for years, pastor, played church for years, but I never really believed. I sat and listened to sermons for years, Pastor. But I almost died two weeks ago. Maybe it was a month ago, I don't know. He said, sitting in the hospital, I came to this painful conclusion. I was lost. And for the first time in my life, I understood, think about this. He sat in church for years. For the first time in my life, I understood I was in a bad predicament before a holy God and that I needed to be safe from my sin. You know what you saw on his face? Humility. You saw a joy in him, a tenderness of heart. I realized, he said, it's no more a game. Have you worshipped the king? Have you worshipped the king? I think God gives you a test every week as to how you value the holy day. Not Christmas service. It's important. But the holy day. God has given you an indescribable gift. And he's announced his love to the ends of the earth. the forgiveness of your sins in Jesus. And he got off the throne and came to us to save us and to forgive us and to show his mercy to this lost world. That's the kind of prosperity that matters. To worship him with all the heart and with all the understanding is what the celebration of Christmas and all of our lives is all about. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word to us today and thank you for helping us to understand what it is to worship in spirit and in truth. We all struggle, O Lord, with sin. And sin is very blinding, hardening, deceptive. And we are as needy as can be. Show mercy to us. And in your grace, make us true worshipers of the Lord in spirit and in truth. Truth about who we are and who you are and what we need most. Thank you for blessing us today in worship with the word. May we bow our hearts before the King of kings. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.