Matthew 2

Audio/Video podcast covering Matthew 2:
https://soundcloud.com/walking-as-christ/matthew-2-the-body
https://youtu.be/LWEoFIx2lgM

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.



Birthplace of Jesus: Bethlehem
King of the land at that time: Herod

Magi(wise men) came from the east to Jerusalem seeking “he that was born King of the Jews”. They seen his star in the east and were seeking to find him and Worship Him!

 

We learned that Jesus was to be known by the people as “God with us” / the God man. Now that these Magi(wise men) knew this “God with us”/King of the Jews/Messiah was born they were seeking to find Him and WORSHIP Him!
-Imagine the man version of God coming to the earth! Men were looking for Him and desired to Worship Him.
-Not everyone seen the star or even knew what it meant, but these magi(wise men) who knew what it was for responded with Reverence and Honor.


3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.



The King of the Land at the time Herod, heard of this child that was born “King of the Jews”. Instead of responding in Spirit to the news He responded in flesh. He was “troubled” to hear of this child born “King of the Jews”. In his mind, he was king and he likely did not want anyone living that could possibly threaten that. Not only was Herod troubled, but all Jerusalem was also.

King Herod gathered around the High Priest and scholars in the city and inquired where Christ the Messiah should be born.
-Sounds like Herod the King is seeking to know if there is validity to this claim that the King of Jews has been born.
-Herod then learned from those he inquired of that Christ should be born in Bethlehem as this child Jesus was!
-Herod then asked the Magi(wisemen) what time the star appeared and sent them to bethlehem to “search diligently” for the child. He gave them instructions that when they find him to let him know so that he can come and worship the child also.


9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

 



The star led the Magi directly to the child Jesus.
-It was divine, ordained by God.
-When we Diligently Seek God, He will lead us in the right direction!

 

When the Magi came into the house where the child Jesus was and his mother Mary they “fell down, and worshiped Him” they not only worshiped him, they presented their treasures to him giving him gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Again, let us consider that these Magi seen this star in the sky and it led them directly to Jesus. They knew that this was the child born King of the Jews so they came, worshiped him, and gave him gifts.  



12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

-God then warned the Magi in their dream not to return to Herod the King, but instead to go to their own country another way.

 

An angel of the Lord then came to Joseph after the Magi left and directed Joseph to flee with the child and the child’s mother into Egypt until he the angel comes back again. The angel warns Joseph that Herod will seek to destroy the child Jesus.
-When the messenger of the Lord appears in our life, let us always obey.
-Let us cast away all doubts and self will and surrender our being unto God! He knows what is best for us. As His children He has our best interest at hand.

-When Herod the King noticed that he was mocked or tricked of the wise men he was extremely angry so he sent orders to have all the children 2 years and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas killed in attempt to have Jesus killed among them.
-How did herod know to kill the children 2 years and younger? He kept the time from when he inquired of the wise men when they seen the star in the sky.

-This mass killing fulfilled another prophecy saying; “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are not.”
-Imagine if the ruler of our land killed all the children 2 years and younger to prevent anyone else from receiving Honor as King.
-King Herod’s heart was set on Mischief.

-They went into Egypt by night and stayed there until the death of Herod fulfilling another prophecy saying “Out of Egypt have I called my son”.   

-After Herod’s death an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream while they were in Egypt, telling Joseph that that they are dead who were seeking to kill his child. The angel told Joseph to arise and go to Israel and they did so.
-Very rarely do men preach about Joseph(the husband of Mary) but a certain level of gratitude is due to him for His obedience in leading His home as God gave Him direction. One false turn and the world as we know it today could have been different, but from what is recorded here in the Word of God, Joseph obeyed God. His obedience helped lineup all things God had in plan for the life of Jesus the Christ.
-Brothers; let us OBEY GOD’s DIRECTION.
-God has Trusted man with the responsibility of being the Head of the Home. Let us be sure that we are being led by the Holy Spirit of God in ALL that we do, especially in the guidance of our Home.
-Sister’s if Mary would have made her own plans and did not follow the lead of her husband, the life of Jesus Christ could have potentially went in a direction outside of God’s plan. Joseph and Mary were likely chosen to be the earthly parents of Jesus because God knew they would BOTH be Obedient to His Will.

-Joseph, Mary, and Jesus ended up in parts of Galilee dwelling in the city Nazareth fulfilling another prophecy “He shall be called a Nazarene”.
-Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God!
-There is Power in His name, proclaim it! Hallelujah!