This is Christmas, Too

 

Matthew 2:1-2

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

Matthew 2:16

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 enquired of the wise men.

    As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Christ with joy and festivities. We give each other presents. We read aloud to our families the Christmas story from the Bible. But do we continue to read aloud when it comes to the other factors in the birth of The King? 

    The wise men were two years into their search. They did not show up to the stable to see the baby King in the manger. They found Him in a house (Matthew 2:11). They knew The Word so well that they were looking for the star before the star appeared. We know this because they were wise men from the east. 

    When we go back to the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:17, 20), we read of the rudiments of education of which the wise men of that time were required. It is God who gives wisdom and knowledge. Should any of us desire such, it is to God we must go to obtain it. As King Solomon did when God approached him (1 Kings 3:5, 9). 

    Thus we know the wise men not only knew The Scriptures, they had more than a basic education. They were learned men: learning was their way of life. Having read The Scriptures, they believed The Scriptures and were searching the night skies looking for the star that would rise which would show them where the new King would be born. Once it appeared, they began their trek across continents to reach Him. But it took them Two Years to get there. 

    No one who comes to Jesus is ever late getting there. Every heart that truly seeks to see His face will find Him. "Ask and you will receive; Seek and you will find; Knock and the doors will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7. 

    But in their search for Christ, they met people along the way who sought to kill the new King (Matthew 2:3-8). By this Mary and Joseph were residing in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). This is where the wise men found Jesus. To a house in Bethlehem, to The One who was Born King of the Jews, they brought their gifts. Gifts which would pay tribute to Him as King (gold), honor Him as King (gold) and anoint Him as King (myrrh). These gifts would be used immediately.

    For when the wise men did not return to Herod, the nasty king ordered all the young children two years old and under to be killed. Hundreds of babies and toddlers met their deaths at the hands of an unwise man. Parents had their infants yanked from their arms and slaughtered in front of them. The blood of innocents filled the city streets in Bethlehem and in every nearby coastal town (Matthew 2:16-18). 

    This, too, is Christmas. Sadness. Mourning. Weeping: an unending, heartbreaking tearyness which flowed from the broken hearts of the people whose children were dead. Another prophecy fulfilled, albeit a sad one. (Jeremiah 31:15). Not everyone was able to rejoice at the birth of The One who had been born King of the Jews. 

    As stated, the gifts the wise men gave to Jesus were used immediately. Because the order was about to go  out while they were still residing in Bethlehem, the young family needed to leave in a hurry. They left in the night, under cover of darkness and fled the country (Matthew 2:12-14), taking the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh which we understand helped them on their journey. For they left immediately after the wise men's visit to their home. 

    So, now I ask you, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? Where is that is born King of Kings? For even now some still search for Him. To know The Scriptures is to know The Word; to know The Word is to know Jesus. The wise men from the east knew the prophecies of The Scriptures at that time. They came searching for He who had been BORN King of the Jews. This is a King who at His birth was already a King. All other kings were made kings or they may have been born into the position by reason of lineage. But Jesus was the born King. Lineage had nothing to do with it. He was King from the beginning, from before time/all through time/after time. 

    As He stated in John 8:58, Jesus told the people that He is I AM (Exodus 3:14). And they wanted to kill Him then, but He faded into the crowd. John 1:1-3 tells us Who this King is. He is King before He is born. He is Ruler. He is Sceptre. He is Governor. He is Jesus and waits for you to seek Him out and meet with Him. 

    Revelation 3:20 " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." We don't need to wait for Him to come and find us where we are: He knows where we are. He waits for us to answer His knock on our hearts. He waits for us to open the door of our hearts and invite Him in, that The Word may dwell in our hearts. 

    Those who seek Him to destroy His Kingship will fail in their endeavors. Those who seek Him to honor Him as King will find Him. They, we, merely have to open the doors of our hearts and invite Him into our lives. Are you ready to meet Jesus? He's knocking on your heart right now. 

THE GOSPEL - Ryan Stevenson

Birthplace of A King

 

MICAH 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

    If I had no other verse than Micah's on which to base my faith in God, I would still be a believer. For in this verse we see Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. Knowing my Bible as I do, I am keenly aware that this is Whom Micah is speaking of. 

    The prophecy is spoken over the town of Bethlehem, which translates to House of Bread. A few hundred years later Jesus would refer to Himself as The Bread of Life, The Mana from heaven which God had sent down for people to partake of. We do this when we believe on The Name of The Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation.

    But in this comparatively small town The Ruler of Israel would be born. He was sent from heaven by God to accomplish God's purpose until His return to God. The Bible tells us that "God's Word does not return void to Him" (Isaiah 55:11). Christ is The Word (John 1:1;14). And He is not void, empty. He is Truth. He is Life. He is Love. 

    As Ruler in Israel, He is also Governor (Isaiah 9:6), and reigns with Justice. His kingdom is wherever He is and He is in the heart of every believer for we have partaken of His salvation and in His salvation is His suffering, His anguish at the task which God had set before Him and now sets before us. In His salvation is God's mercy and compassion for the lost and the dying. This, too, is in the heart of the believer when Christ lives there. 

    His 'goings forth from of old, from everlasting' is just one of the most peaceful verses I know. For Jesus Christ is The Beginning (Revelation 1:4,8; John 1:1-3; Proverbs 8:23; John 8:58; John 17:5; Revelation 22:13). Age to age, beyond the realm of time is Christ The Messiah. And He's coming soon to reward His faithful, His righteous people and to punish the unfaithful, the unrighteous, the unbeliever (Revelation 22:12-17). 

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO     (I keep singing this one. It is in my thoughts when I close my eyes and with me in my dreams. I awaken and it is still there. My spirit worships even when I am in the unconscious dream realm).

JESUS MESSIAH - Chris Tomlin 

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival -- King of The Jews

 

Matthew 2:1, 2

1. 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.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 935
King: ruler, emperor

From the Greek word 'basileus' (pronounced bas-il-yooce'). 

CHRIST'S KINGSHIP FORETOLD

Numbers 24:17

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A Star will come forth from Jacob, and a Scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Isaiah 9:6, 7

6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

BORN KING OF THE JEWS

Born of humble birth He will be acknowledged as King by those who seek Him. First, the shepherds, of humble means themselves, will come and worship him in the stable. Then the wise men who have been watching for His appearance will see the unusual star in the night skies and go looking for this foretold King of Israel. 

When we read a little bit further in Matthew 2:16, we see that it took them two years to travel from their hometown(s) to Bethlehem, where Joseph, Mary and Jesus were currently living (v 9) until they were ready to move back home. They traveled a great distance, for immediately east of Jerusalem was the kingdom of Arabia, so we know that while they traveled through it, the wise men weren't from there. 

Having arrived at Jesus' home, the wise men brought out gifts fit for a King. To Herod they paid no such honor, not recognizing his authority. But to Jesus, quite a different story. First they were filled to overflowing with joy (v 10) and then they worshiped Him and paid Him tribute (v 11).

Matthew 2:10, 11

10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight.

11. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

Of their best they gave. Of their worship they gave. Of their hearts they gave. They sacrificed their time, their energy and their earthly treasures to honor the newborn King of the Jews. 

​CONDEMNED TO DIE AS KING OF THE JEWS​

But this is not the only time Christ is spoken of as such. At such times as these He is both physically and verbally attacked, then killed.

 First He is questioned to be the King of the Jews: Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:2; John 18:33.

And then He is given the title King of the Jews by Pilate on a nameplate on the cross:

Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:25; Luke 23:38; John 19:19. 

RETURN OF THE KING IMMINENT

Having been recognized as King, denied as King, He will soon and very soon be a returning King. And while we know it is still a few years in the distance when Jesus will set up His earthly millennial reign, the time is still very short for His return. Perhaps some of us will see it, perhaps some of us will die before His return as King. But either way, ready we must be. Are you ready to meet King Jesus? Wise men still seek Him. Be wise. 

KINGSIZE MANGER by Josh Turner

MAKE ROOM by Casting Crowns

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM by Paul Overstreet

OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART by Paul Baloche