Journey Toward Christmas: After Christmas, Then Life
Preached on 12.28.08 by JD Payne
Sermon Notes
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matt 2:1-23, ESV).
Summary:
Matthew 2 was written to show us how Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies. Though he was born in Israel, Matthew 2 shows us that the only people who received Him were the Gentiles.
The prophecies fulfilled in Matthew 2 speak to us today about a Savior who is the Great Shepherd that cares for us and provides us with hope as we move from the time after Christmas to living life in 2009.
- Prophecy #1: Born in Bethlehem (v.6)-Fulfillment of Mic 5:2
- Prophecy #2: Called out of Egypt (v. 15)-Fulfillment of Hos 11:1
- Prophecy #3: Weeping in Ramah (v.17-18)-Fulfillment of Jer 31:15
- Prophecy #4: Called a Nazarene (v. 23)-Fulfillment of Several Texts
Practical Application Questions:
- Do you know this Savior personally?
- How do these characteristics of Jesus affect the way you live in relation to Him, other brothers and sisters that make up this church, and unbelievers?
- How do these characteristics of this Savior affect the way you will now approach the coming year?
- Are you trusting in the promises of God to sustain you each day? Just as His prophecies come to pass, His promises are always kept.
- What priority are you giving to His Word in your life and family?
- Is something hindering you from trusting in God’s faithfulness?
Works Consulted: D. A. Carson, Matthew, Expositor’s Bible Commentary; R.V.G. Tasher, The Gospel According to Matthew (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)