Significant Aspects of the Birth of Jesus (Matthew 2)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
21 December 2025
The birth of Jesus was prophetic and magnetic. It was followed by persecution and protection.
It was prophesied he would be born through virgin birth and that the birth would be in Bethlehem. It was prophesied he would be the Messiah – the only Messiah! It was also prophesied he would save his people from their sins. This was eventually fulfilled. These prophecies were given to the Hebrew prophets. We owe so much to them.
Jesus’ birth was magnetic. Wise men from the East were drawn to him. Shepherds in the field were drawn to him. Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna were drawn to him. When Jesus was an adult, people were drawn to him. He said if he was lifted up from the earth he would draw all peoples to himself. The magnetism of Jesus was amazing. Jesus was man, yet more than man. Jesus was also divine.
His birth was followed by persecution. The evil King Herod slaughtered boys two years old and under.
The persecution of God’s people is an ancient issue. In the Garden of Eden the devil spiritually murdered Adam and Eve. Cain murdered his brother Abel. Ishmael persecuted his brother Isaac. This continued in the days of Paul (Gal 4:29) and continues even today with the persecution of Israel and the Christian Church.
But amid the persecution Jesus was protected. He was taken to Egypt for safety. He was brought back to Israel and resided in Nazareth. The providence of God protected Jesus. Jesus was born to be the Saviour of his people and no amount of persecution would stop him achieving this salvation. He said he would build his church. Jesus is invincible; his church is invincible.
In all this we see the hand of God. He decreed everything about the birth of Jesus. We are drawn by the Holy Spirit to believe in Jesus and we delight in Jesus.
All praise to God for the coming of Jesus Christ. There was no other birth quite like his. There is no other person quite like Jesus Christ. O, come let us adore him.