introduction
Good morning, beloved family in Christ. Isn’t it a beautiful day that the Lord has made?
A day filled with the promise of His love,
We have the assurance of His grace,
and the manifestation of His glory.
As we gather here today, let us remember that we are not just in any place, but in the house of God, a holy sanctuary where His spirit dwells.
The scripture for today is Matthew 2:1-12
Main idea: This sermon explores the revelation of Jesus’ majesty in Matthew 2:1-12, and the faithful response of the Magi,
Thus inspiring us to dive deeper in worship and devotion.
I know we have read this before
So,
I have a Quote for you:
By:Charles Spurgeon
Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.
Today, we are going to open up the precious pages of God’s Word, to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1 through 12. Let me read it for us:
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
This passage, my dear brothers and sisters, is about the Manifestation of the Messiah, the Majesty of Jesus was Revealed, and the Mission of the Magi given.
As we prepare to unpack these truths, let’s remember the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” And so it does, my friends. No matter how many times we read a passage, there is always something new to discover, something more to understand about our God and His love for us.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the gift of life, and for the privilege of gathering together as Your people. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word today. Help us to see Jesus in a new light, to understand His majesty, and to be inspired by the faithfulness of the Magi. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all truth and lead us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let us turn our attention to the Manifestation of the Messiah…
I. Manifestation of the Messiah
Jesus, the Messiah, was not born in a grand palace but in the humble town of Bethlehem. Some of the
first people to recognize Him as the King of the Jews were not the religious leaders or the political rulers of the day, but rather a group of wise men from the East. These Magi, as they are often called, were guided by a star to the place where Jesus was. They came to worship Him, recognizing His divine nature and royal status. This is the first revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed One, the King of the Jews.
The birth of Jesus was a divine event, orchestrated by God Himself. It was not a random occurrence but a fulfillment of prophecy. The prophet Micah had foretold that out of Bethlehem would come a ruler who would shepherd God’s people Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. His birth in Bethlehem was not a coincidence, but a divine appointment. It was God’s way of revealing to the world that the promised Messiah had come.
The star that guided the Magi to Jesus was another sign of His divine nature. It was not a natural phenomenon, but a supernatural sign from God. The star appeared at the exact time of Jesus’ birth and led the Magi directly to Him. This was not a general sign that could be interpreted in many ways, but a specific sign that pointed directly to Jesus. It was God’s way of revealing to the world that Jesus was not just a baby, but the King of the Jews, the promised Messiah.
The response of the Magi to Jesus is also significant.They did not just acknowledge Him as the King of the Jews, they worshipped Him. They recognized His divine nature and responded appropriately. They brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, gifts that were fitting for a king. Their actions were a testimony to the world that Jesus was not just a human king, but a divine King, worthy of worship.
Finally, the reaction of King Herod and the people of Jerusalem to the news of Jesus’ birth is also worth noting. They were disturbed, not rejoicing. Huh?! They did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, even though the signs were clear. They were looking for a political Messiah, a king who would free them from Roman rule. But Jesus was not that kind of Messiah. He came to free people from their sins, not from political oppression. His kingdom was not of this world, but of the world to come.
Transition. The manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah was a divine event, marked by supernatural signs and prophetic fulfillment. It was recognized by those who were open to God’s revelation and missed by those who were not. It was a clear demonstration of God’s love and grace, a gift to a world in need of a Savior.
II. Majesty of Jesus Revealed
As we continue to immerse ourselves in this rich passage, we see the majesty of Jesus revealed. Amid a world filled with political power plays, a baby is born. Not just any baby, but the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. His birth, as humble as it was, marked a turning point in history. It was a divine intervention, a heavenly invasion into the affairs of mankind.
In the narrative, we see the Magi, wise men from the East, recognizing the significance of this birth. They were not Jews, they were not privy to the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, yet they recognized the majesty of Jesus. They saw in the birth of this child, a king worthy of their respect, their adoration, and their gifts. This is the first glimpse we get of the universal appeal and reach of Jesus. His majesty is not limited to a particular race, tribe, or nation. His kingship transcends geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
The Magi’s recognition of Jesus’ majesty is a testament to the divine revelation they received. They were guided by a star, a celestial body, to the location of the child. This is significant because in their culture, celestial bodies were often associated with deities and divine occurrences. The star was a divine GPS, leading them to the King of Kings. This shows us that God can use any means necessary to reveal His majesty. He can use the natural world, He can use dreams and visions, He can use circumstances and situations. The key is to be open and receptive to His revelations.
Greek word study. In the original Greek, the term used for “worship” is “proskuneo”. This term is used frequently in the New Testament to denote the act of falling down before a superior in reverence and adoration. It is used in Matthew 4:10 when Jesus tells Satan, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” It is also used in Revelation 19:10, where John falls at the feet of the angel in worship, but is rebuked and told to worship God alone. In both instances, the term “proskuneo” is used to denote a reverence and adoration that is due only to God. This gives us a deeper understanding of the Magi’s actions. They were not just paying homage to a new king, they were worshipping God in human form.
Building on this, we see that the majesty of Jesus is not just in His kingship, but in His divinity. He is not just a king, He is God. This is a truth that is central to our Christian faith. Jesus is not just a historical figure, a good teacher, or a moral example. He is God incarnate, God in human form. His birth was not just the birth of a baby, it was the incarnation of the divine. This is a truth that we must hold on to, a truth that we must cherish, and a truth that we must proclaim.
Finally, we see the majesty of Jesus in His mission. He was born to be a king, but His kingdom was not of this world. His kingdom was not about power, wealth, or dominance. His kingdom was about love, grace, and redemption. He came to establish a kingdom where the last would be first, where the meek would inherit the earth, and where the pure in heart would see God. His majesty is not in His power, but in His love. His majesty is not in His might, but in His mercy.
Transition. The majesty of Jesus is revealed in His birth, in His recognition by the Magi, in His worship, in His divinity, and in His mission. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Savior of the world. His majesty is beyond comprehension, beyond description, and beyond compare. Let us bow down in worship, let us offer our gifts, and let us proclaim His majesty to the ends of the earth.
III. Mission of the Magi
The Magi embarked on a mission that would forever change their lives. Their mission was not one of political gain or personal glory, but of spiritual discovery and worship. They were drawn by a star, a celestial sign, but their true guide was a deep, inner longing to find the one who was born King of the Jews. This is a longing that echoes in the hearts of all who seek truth, all who seek meaning, all who seek Jesus.
The first thing we notice about the Magi’s mission is their determination. Despite the long distance, the harsh desert, and the political power, they never wavered in their quest. They were relentless in their pursuit of the newborn King. This wasn’t a casual trip or a convenient detour. They were willing to leave the comfort of their homes, the security of their positions, and the familiarity of their culture to seek Jesus.
C.S. Lewis quote. In the words of the respected Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” The Magi were not good because they sought Jesus. They became good because they found Him, because they experienced His love, because they worshiped Him. Their mission was not just about finding Jesus. It was about being found by Him, being transformed by His love, being made good because of His grace.
Next, the Magi’s mission shows their humility. They were wise men, scholars, perhaps even kings. Yet, when they found Jesus, they did not stand on ceremony or demand recognition. They bowed down and worshiped Him. They offered Him their treasures, their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But more than these material gifts, they offered Him their hearts, their worship, their allegiance. They acknowledged that He was the true King, the one worthy of their worship, the one worthy of their lives.
Application: The mission of the Magi is a model for us all. It challenges us to seek Jesus with determination, to worship Him with humility, to offer Him our lives as a living sacrifice. This is not a mission for the faint-hearted or the half-hearted. It requires all that we are and all that we have. But it is a mission that promises the greatest reward, the joy of finding Jesus, the peace of being found by Him, the hope of being transformed by His love.
Application questions. So, as we reflect on the mission of the Magi, let us ask ourselves: Are we seeking Jesus with the same determination? Are we worshiping Him with the same humility? Are we offering Him our lives?
Are we offering him our all?
If not, let us start today. Let us embark on our own mission, our own quest, our own journey to find Jesus, to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him.
Transition. For in finding Jesus, we find our true selves, our true purpose, our true joy. And in being found by Him, we find our true home, our true peace, our true hope. Remember, wise men still seek Him. Wise men still worship Him. Wise men still follow Him. So let us be wise. Let us seek Him. Let us worship Him. Let us follow Him. For in Him, we find all that we are looking for, all that we are longing for, all that we are living for.
Conclusion
The manifestation of our Messiah, the majesty of Jesus revealed, and the mission of the Magi, all point us to the incredible love and goodness of our God. They remind us that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected places and through the most unlikely people.
Remember, the Magi were not Jews. They were foreigners, yet they recognized the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They sought Him, they worshipped Him, and they offered Him their best. May we do the same. May we seek Jesus with all our hearts, worship Him in spirit and in truth, and offer Him our lives as living sacrifices.
And let’s not forget the star, that divine GPS, leading the Magi to Jesus. Just as God guided them, He guides us too. He leads us through the wilderness of this world, through the valleys of despair, and the mountains of challenges, all the way to Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, our King.
So, let’s go forth with confidence, knowing that we serve a God who loves us, who guides us, and who is always with us. Let’s shine like stars in the world, reflecting the light of Jesus, leading others to Him, just like the star led the Magi to the baby Jesus.
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, for the truths we’ve learned today, and for the love You’ve shown us through Jesus. As we go from here, help us to keep these truths in our hearts, to live them out in our lives, and to share them with others. Guide us, Lord, as You guided the Magi. Lead us to Jesus every day. And help us to shine for You. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.
