Christmas Contrasts: Herod and the Magi

Matthew 2:1-16

Pastor Miles

1. Both Herod and the Magi and "kings" with power, wealth and knowledge.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, (Matthew 2:1 ESV)

2. Herod is disturbed by the news, while the Magi seek answers to their questions.

"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; (Matthew 2:2, 3 ESV)

3. Herod sees a threat to his rule, while the Magi see a king to be worshiped.

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 have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." (Matthew 2:7, 8 ESV)

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:11, 12 ESV)

The Magi used their knowledge to help others, while Herod used his knowledge to hurt others.

Application:
1. What have you done with what God has shown you?
We may not have all the answers to our questions, but that shouldn't be an excuse to keep putting off our commitment. If we act on what God has shown us, He will reveal more to us.

2. How do we see God's rule?
When we consider God's rule, do we see it as a threat to our plans, or an opportunity to surrender and worship the One who is really in control?

True worship is surrendering to His rule in our life.

Christmas Contrast: The Innkeeper and the Shepherds

Pastor Miles

Luke 2:1-20

1 . The innkeeper in Bethlehem had an opportunity
Luke 2:1-7

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

2. The shepherds outside Bethlehem had an opportunity.
Luke 2:8-20

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

3. You will have opportunities
1 Corinthians 3:5

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (1 Corinthians 3:5 NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:9

because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. (1 Corinthians 16:9 NIV)

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

Will we seize the opportunity that God has given us to receive His Son, like the shepherds did, or reject it, like the innkeeper?