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3.A hostility that manifests itself often in an antagonism to Christ, His people, the lifestyle He taught, and the exclusive claims He made about Himself. Realize that He is the promised Saviour and King - but seek to destroy Him like Herod.”

Can You Trust a Herod?

John 2:23-25 - Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing. But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

“A non-trusting Jesus?”

Should growing Christians develop that kind of spiritual discernment?

Matthew 2:7-9a -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.” After listening to the king, they went on their way.

They trusted Herod.

During the Christmas season is it easy to be fooled that all around us is sweetness and light?

Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper wrote: “If once the curtain were pulled back, and the spiritual world behind it came to view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping everything within it’s range, that the fiercest battle ever fought on earth would seem, by comparison, a mere game.”

So, our King has enemies, and therefore so do we.

Following a Star

Matthew 2:9-10 - After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

What are we to make of this star?

3 views:

1.It may have been a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.

2.It was a comet.

3.It was a nova or super nova.

Was it one of these or, a supernatural phenomenon created by God exclusively for the occasion?

Was the star all they needed to find Christ? God indeed reveal Himself in the world, but we need His revelation?

Finding Christ

Matthew 2:11 - 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.

First the wise men saw the star, then they saw Herod the Great and the Scripture, then they saw the star again and followed it.

“they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him.”

Is the way this is worded significant?

Isaiah 9:6-7

Do you think Matthew’s words would remind 1st century Jews of these verses? It is significant that it is being seen through the magi’s Gentile eyes?

When they saw Christ they recognized Him as King and fell down and worshiped Him. Is this a good description of conversion?

Was it God’s providence that drew them to Christ?

A Divine Warning

Matthew 2:12

Does God warn us today about anything we should avoid returning to?

20 facts about the Magi, pages 114-115.

“From Matthew’s perspective, the Lord’s hand had clearly been on these men from the very beginning of the story. God worked out His purposes through an unusual providence in the magi’s ordinary working lives combined with an inner personal compulsion to respond to it. And over a period of the He brought them to Christ.”

“We can trace a pattern.” An awakening, then a drawing, then a discovering, and then worshiping.

Is this the way God works in the lives of His children?

God knows exactly what is needed to bring us to trust in the Lord Jesus.

Come to Christ.

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