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

Gifts of The Wise Men

 

GIFTS OF THE WISE MEN

Matthew 2:11

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.

Most of the time only the material gifts are mentioned when people speak of the gifts the wise men brought. But gold, frankincense and myrrh are not the only gifts. 

The first gift given the newborn King is worship. It is the same type of worship Satan demanded for himself when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. It is the same type of worship that Jesus refuted Satan with by quoting Scripture at him. (see Matthew 4:9-10)

Worship - to prostrate one's self in homage, to bend one's knees to; the willingness to do so. 

To worship is to willingly kneel or fully prostrate one's self in adoration to a superior, usually a king or deity. 

Where is our gift to the King? Where is our worship? Why aren't we willingly falling onto our knees in adoration? Have you seen Him? Do you know Jesus? 

Not everyone who falls to their knees will do so willingly. Isaiah 45:22-24  "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance. Surely they will say of Me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’ ” All who rage against Him will come to Him and be put to shame." 

A Scripture which Paul repeated when he wrote to the church in Rome: Romans 14:11 "It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” Why will every knee bow? Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." 

Why? Two reasons. We will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and God will receive glory. Some will kneel willingly and remain with God and Christ in heaven. Some will not. 

Will you kneel willingly? Will you kneel now?