God bless you and Merry Christmas. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this year Kim and I want to express our love and thankfulness for each and every believer here at Chapter and Verse. It has been many years since we began this journey and with God's grace and mercy we will continue to joyfully serve God's beloved. Few people realize the significance recorded here in the gospel of Matthew.
This record will be read over and over again in the next few weeks in churches all over the world and very few will understand just what the birth of the Christ meant to Israel.
Matthew 2:1-6 1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Verse 1 has been misunderstood for years. The wise men were not present for the birth of Jesus.
NIV Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi form the east came to Jerusalem.
The NIV is correct. The Magi (wise men) came over a year later to pay homage to the king of the Jews.
The Magi were Persians who had great knowledge and wisdom concerning the stars. They observed the celestial announcement over a period of time and realized that the promised king had been born.
Matthew 2:10 -11 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The shepherds were there on the night of the actual birth of Jesus and the wise men.
Luke 2:1-12 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Verse 6 sets the timing of the birth of the baby and the Lord sent angels to the shepherds abiding in the fields watching over their flocks to announce what was happening that night in Bethlehem.
Verse 12 informs us that the babe would be lying in a manger.
The word babe is the Greek word brephos that means an infant, a babe.
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
The young child in the Greek paidion: a young child, a little boy, a little girl.
Soon on just about every street corner, you will see nativity scenes with the wise men and the shepherds in front of the manger with Mary, Joseph, and the newborn baby Jesus.
However, the above verse does not mention Joseph or the shepherds being present when the Magi came to visit the Christ child.
Why is it that we can put a man on the moon but we can't read simple words with common sense and teach the truth regarding the birth of the Savior?
Jesus wasn't just the king of the Jews. Jesus was the long awaited Christ. The one who would come to and for his people and sit on the throne of his forefather David and rule forever. He was the one who would save the people from their sins and set up the kingdom of God here upon the earth.
The Jewish people longed for their Messiah to come and set them free. But when he was born God could not go to the Jews and announces birth. Why? Because they have long removed themselves from the true God and replaced him with religion.
And like all religions they begin with man and they end and works. The only ones humble enough to receive the announcement of the birth of God's only begotten son was the shepherds.
Not only were they surprised and blessed that night, they obeyed the commandment of the Lord
Mark 15:9 -14 9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
The apostle Paul got the same response.
Acts 18:4-6 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Their religion had blinded their eyes. In heart to the reality of the very Christ that they had so longed and waited for.
Paul do not argue. He just left and took the word to those who would hear him. Thank God for that. God bless you. The Christ has been born and he is coming back.