Matthew 2:1-11
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Jesus (and Christmas) bring us together, but to differing responses.

Some are disturbed by Jesus.
v. 3

We like to control our own future.

We like to eliminate what we can’t control.

Matthew 2:8b
…report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.

Matthew 2:13
Get up! Take the Child and his mother and flee to Egypt…for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.

Some are waiting for Jesus.
v. 4-6

1 Peter 1:10-11
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

His Birth

Isaiah 7:14
The Lord…will give you a sign; Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a Son…

Matthew 1:18, 24, 25
…she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit…Joseph…kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son

His Lineage

Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse…

Luke 3:23, 32
Jesus…the son of Joseph…the son of Jesse…

His Birthplace

Micah 5:2
But as for you, Bethlehem...from you One will go forth for Me to be a ruler in Israel…from the days of eternity.

Matthew 2:1
…Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea…

The Timing

Daniel 9:24-26
…from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah…there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (of years)…

Matthew 2:1
…Jesus was born…in the days of Herod the king…

His Sufferings

Psalm 22:16-18
…they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me. They divide my garments…

Luke 23:34-35
…And they cast lots, dividing up His garments…and the people stood by, looking on.

Jesus was placed by God the Father in the perfect place at the perfect time in the perfect way through the perfect lineage to live a perfect life and die a perfect death so that we might have eternal life.

Some are searching for Jesus.
v. 9-11

They have come from a long distance to worship. v. 1

They’ve been given direction from God along the way.

Matthew 2:2
…we saw His star in the east…

Numbers 24:17
A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel…

Matthew 2:9
…and the star…went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the child was.

This star reminds us that God reveals Himself to those who are seeking Him!

They have come ready to worship.

Matthew 2:11
…opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

These men started on a fact-finding mission and ended in worship.

Some are oblivious to Jesus.
v. 12