Responding to the Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:1-12)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
22 December 2019
When European missionaries first went to China some of them dressed in Chinese clothing. In the villages of China they were received with great curiosity.
When wise men came to Jerusalem at the birth of Jesus they were received with great curiosity. Their presence disturbed the people of Jerusalem. It was not their attire which disturbed Jerusalem but the fact that these non Jewish men asked the question "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?"
Here were Gentiles wanting to find the Jewish Messiah to worship him. We note the response of the people.
King Herod was troubled, and with some cause for the birth of a Jewish King was a threat to Roman rule. Herod's troubled mind led him to murder for he subsequently killed Jewish boys 2 years old and under. The presence of Jesus stirs up the evil in people’s hearts.The Jewish population of Jerusalem was also troubled. The people knew of the cruelty of Herod and reasoned that Herod would not rest while a leader arose from among the Jews. The people were troubled for fear of what Herod might do to them. Fear is a hindrance to faith.
Their fear showed their indifference to the birth of Jesus. They preferred to live under Roman rule which guaranteed some degree of safety and freedom. There is no evidence that any of the inhabitants of Jerusalem followed the wise men to Bethlehem to worship the child Jesus. People can be conditioned to accept second-best in life. But Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He gives us the very best.
There was yet another response - a positive one, that of recognition that the Saviour of the world had been born. This is the testimony of the wise men (magi) who for 2 years followed a mysterious star to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem to find Jesus. It is also the testimony of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) and of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38).
The response to the birth of Jesus was either that of hatred, indifference or faith.
People have not changed. Today when the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed some people will hate Jesus because of the enmity in their hearts. Some people will intellectually accept Jesus but have no desire to seek him, that is, they are indifferent. Yet some people will respond and believe in Jesus as their Saviour.
One encouraging thing is that people who do not believe need not stay in that state. People can change and unbelief can become belief. Such was the case with Nathanael who when told about the arrival of Jesus sceptically asked "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). But the chief instance of change must surely be that of Saul of Tarsus who was a hater of Jesus Christ but was converted and became a great gospel preacher.
That people can be changed may be argued from Jesus' parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9) where gospel seed was sown by the wayside, stony places and among thorns. The various responses to the sown seed (Matthew 13:18-23) need not be taken as being permanent for we live in the age of God’s grace and mercy. People can be changed and hearts which initially are unfruitful can later bear fruit to the seed of God’s word.
In conclusion let us understand that people today respond in the same way as people did 2000 years ago. People have not changed. But people’s negative responses to Jesus Christ need not be permanent. There is no reason why the Herods of this world cannot be converted. Nor is there any reason why the indifferent people of this world cannot be awakened to receive Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Let us all be like those wise men. Arise! Follow the gospel star! It leads to Jesus! Fall at his feet and worship him. For he is the King, the Lord of Lords.