Read at beginning of message:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
INTRODUCTION
Read Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-14
Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
We are all familiar with the Christmas Story. But did you know that you have a part in it? You do. You make your own ending to the Christmas Story depending on how you respond to who Christ is, what He has done, and what Christ calls you to do. Awesome, isn?t it? You see, the unexpected chain of events that happened over two thousand years ago were initiated by God?s choice to make His salvation available for you and I. He chose the incarnation so that we may have the possibility of a relationship with Him. But our part is what we?re going to do with the offer.
In the accounts surrounding the birth of Christ I?d like to point out three possible responses to the Good News of Christmas. You can either reject it, ignore it, or believe it. Now I want to tell you this morning that whether you believe, reject or ignore that Christ is God, that He was born as a baby, that He died for you and that He calls you to worship and serve Him ? this will write the final chapter of the Christmas story for your life. You can keep the Christ child boxed in from New Years to Thanksgiving, keep him in the cradle forever ? or you can let Him grow, die, and rise again to call you to follow Him. The Bible says,
John 3:1717 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
What ending to the Christmas story will your life have? The choice is yours.
Let?s begin this morning by looking at the response of King Herod and Jerusalem upon hearing the news of the Baby.
Response of King Herod and Jerusalem upon hearing the news of the baby.
Some observations:
Now we know from our text that the news of the Messiah was brought to King Herod (and Jerusalem) by some wise men (who were unwittingly messengers sent by God to the people of Jerusalem ? notice that the star first led them to Jerusalem [see verse 9]) Ultimately it was God who was delivering this message to them.
They were disturbed
Strong’s Greek Number 5015 (troubled)
1) to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro)
1a) to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity
1b) to disquiet, make restless
1c) to stir up
1d) to trouble
1d1) to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread
1e) to render anxious or distressed
1f) to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts
There was something about the Magi?s search that set the presses rolling and the gossip mill running and this disturbance led to their response. Why were they disturbed? Well let?s look at King Herod first.
King Herod?s response
Let?s look at the wise men?s question again? “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
I think there?s some important background information we have to look at in order to understand why this question would be so disturbing.
Background information on Herod the Great
The Bible records history. It has proven itself an accurate and reliable record of people, events, and places. Independent historical accounts verify the Bible’s descriptions and details of many famous lives. One of these was the father of the Herodian family, Herod the Great.
Herod is remembered as a builder of cities and the lavish rebuilder of the temple in Jerusalem. But he also destroyed people. He showed little greatness in either his personal actions or his character. He was ruthless in ruling his territory. His suspicions and jealousy led to the murder of several of his children and the death of his wife Marianne.
Herod’s title, king of the Jews, was granted by Rome but never accepted by the Jewish people. He was not part of the Davidic family line, and he was only partly Jewish. Although Israel benefited from Herod’s lavish efforts to repair the temple in Jerusalem, he won little admiration because he also rebuilt various pagan temples. Herod’s costly attempt to gain the loyalty of the people failed because it was superficial. His only loyalty was to himself. (taken from Life Application Bible Study Notes ? Character Study of Herod the Great)
Now into this arena comes these men from the East with their question about the one who has been born king of the Jews. Note that they did not question if this king had been born but where he was. They spoke with absolute conviction that this king had indeed already been born.
So, why was Herod troubled?
- Herod was not the rightful heir to the throne of David; therefore many Jews hated him as a usurper. If this baby really was an heir, trouble would arise.
- Herod was ruthless and, because of his many enemies, he was suspicious that someone would try to overthrow him.
- Herod didn?t want the Jews, a religious people, to unite around a religious figure.
- If these Magi were of Jewish descent and from Parthia (the most powerful region next to Rome), they would have welcomed a Jewish king who could swing the balance of power away from Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain more control.
Herod?s response ended up being to reject the news of the baby.
Notice I didn?t say He didn?t believe it but He chose not to accept it. Rejection isn?t always the mark of an unbeliever but it is always the mark of a poor receiver.
Of all the reasons I looked at in explaining why Herod would be troubled there is one thing that stands out about his response to the baby that is present in every reason. This baby threatened his identity ? He was king!! Herod spent most of his life attaining by ruthless and cunning and despicable means his rise to power. Listen to me closely ? Herod?s whole life depended on his kingship. Without it, he was nothing and he would be defenseless against those he trampled to get there. Herod defined himself by his title and position as King.
Ultimately his response to the disturbing news of the wise men was to try to cover up and actually prevent this baby from becoming King. When you read further in the story you find him sending his soldiers to kill every boy in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two and under.
APPLICATION
- some people choose to reject the good news because it threatens their identity ? now your identity may be based on your job, or your family, or your position in society, or your possessions?
- some people just don?t like the idea that they are a sinner or that they are lost or that they are doomed and will seek to cover it up any way they can?maybe it won?t be on the level of Herod?s cover-up but nevertheless their rejection becomes an active force in pushing away the good news of Christ.
People of Jerusalem?s response
So there we have the first response found in our study this morning ? Herod rejected the news of the baby.
But Herod wasn?t the only one disturbed by the wise men?s question. I found it astonishing that verse 3 says, all Jerusalem with him was disturbed!! You would think that the people of Jerusalem who were predominately Jews would have been delighted at the news of a Jewish King ? one that deserved the crown. One that would lead them out of Roman oppression! Yet the Bible clearly says that the people of Jerusalem were disturbed too!! Why?
I believe that it is because the baby threatened the status quo ? it threatened their sense of security. It was not what they expected!! Perhaps the inhabitants of Jerusalem had grown comfortable with the way things were and became scared of the upheavals that would be sure to happen if there was a challenge to Herod?s kingship. Certainly they had experienced the wrath of Herod the Great in the past and maybe they weren?t anxious to go through it again. Whatever the case this baby threatened their sense of security. Isn?t it ironic that this baby actually was the security of God?
I also find it interesting that the Priests and teachers of the law were the ones who gave Herod the location for the birth of the Messiah ? they knew the truth and yet they chose to ignore it. How come they didn?t send anyone with the wise men to Bethlehem? Maybe because the figured they had God all figured out?
This was the response of the people of Jerusalem THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE THE GOOD NEWS. (Let someone else deal with it?)
APPLICATION
Some people become so used to the way things are that they choose to ignore the good news rather than risk change even though they know that it is true because of the evidence.
Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their lack of understanding
These are the people who keep putting off the decision to choose because their waiting for the right moment, or they?re not sure what?s going to happen, or they don?t fully understand yet.
These are the people who have questions about God that never seem to get answered to their satisfaction. These are the people who want a logical explanation for all the illogical stuff that happens in the world and a supernatural God just doesn?t fit in the picture.
There are some things that God does that we simply cannot understand and instead must grasp in faith. That is why the Bible says that faith is a gift from God. That is why Jesus said in John 6:29 that the work of God is to simply believe in the one He sent. Ultimately your relationship with God must begin not in understanding everything about Him but in trusting Him for and in everything and simply having faith in Him!!
The irony of this is that for Christians who have put their faith in God through Jesus Christ they find the idea of sharing the faith scary because they don?t have all the answers. The truth is that we don?t have all the answers only God does and all we are asked to do is to be His witnesses?
Maybe they choose to ignore the good news because of their arrogant “knowledge”
Some people ignore the good news because they feel they?ve already got God all figured all out. “After all, if we?re basically good people a loving God wouldn?t send us to hell would He!”
Some people are so sure that they?ve got God all figured out that they begin to come up with formulas to greater blessings or step by step plans for cashing in on the “manna” God can provide. They?re so sure that they know what to expect that they miss out on what God actually does in the unexpected (much as Priests and teachers of the law did in Jerusalem). Friends, there were some people who thought they had God all figured out in Jesus? day and Jesus called them Pharisees.
The whole incarnation event (which includes the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ) is not about making your life better it?s about rescuing you from death to life. It?s not about making you richer in worldly wealth or health but about introducing the wealth of God?s kingdom into the poverty of the world. It?s not about condemning you to your sin and your sorrows and eternal destruction it?s about saving you from the depths, rescuing you from death, and making possible an eternal relationship with the creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, our Heavenly Father ? Hallelujah and Amen!!
John 3:17 (NIV)
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
yes, there are those who choose to ignore the good news of the incarnation. But there is one more possible response that I?d like to look at today ? and we learn about this response from the unlikiest of sources ? the shepherds?
Response of the shepherds upon hearing the news of the baby.
(Briefly recap the background leading to the shepherds response)
Some observations about the shepherd?s response:
- they believed that what the angels said was true (vs 15 ? “?Let?s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened”
- they hurried off (vs16)
- They spread the word
- About what they angels had told them about the child (vs17)
- All who heard them were amazed (vs 18)
- They returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen
What was the shepherd?s response? The believed and they received. They didn?t reject the good news because it might change their identity. They didn?t ignore the message because it might change their life. But they believed and received what the angels said even though they didn?t really understand, without the hindrances of false expectations and with a faith that is birthed in the hope of God?s salvation.
CONCLUSION
APPLICATION
Yes, believing the good news will redefine your identity?
The shepherds left their flocks to go see the baby. Some fishermen left their nets to follow the man, Jesus.
A point: maybe you thought you could follow Jesus without losing any of the other “stuff” well guess again ? Jesus said?
Take up your cross
Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
What does this mean? It means are you ready to?
Lose your family??
Luke 14:26-27 (NIV)
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Lose your material possessions??
Mark 10:21-22 (NIV)
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Leave your job (fishermen, shepherds)
Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Now hear me ? I?m not saying that you will lose all those things when you believe and receive Christ ? that?s not the point ? the point is whether or not you would if it meant it was necessary to follow Him?
Without starting a whole other message?taking up your cross refers to the laying down of everything you do, have and are in your life on the cross of Christ and taking up everything that Christ does, has, and is as the exchange.
Matthew 16:24-26 (NIV)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Christ died and rose again so that He may be your life!!! And is that going to result in a change of identity??you bet! Is that going to disrupt the status quo? You bet!!
These shepherds changed from sheep men to God?s men (his messengers), from keepers of lambs to heralds of the lion of Judah. Just imagine what God wants to do with you!!
Will you see Christmas as the time when the unexpected happens? Will you believe that God chose to do things the way he did because He said He would, to demonstrate that nothing is impossible for Him, and to make Himself more accessible to you? Will you receive the good news of Christmas ? not rejecting it because it threatens your identity or ignoring it because it might turn your world upside down? How will the Christmas story be completed in your life? Friends let God do the unexpected in and through your life beginning this Christmas and for the rest of your life!
One of my favorite stories for the Christmas season is about a nine-year-old boy named Wallace Purling. It is adapted from a story by Dina Donahue that was published in Guideposts. Wallace was nine. Larger than most kids, he was also slow in mind. But the children all liked him. He was so much bigger than they, but he never bullied them. In fact, he was the ever-present defender of the smaller boys. Wally wanted very much to be in the Christmas play that year. He hoped he could be a shepherd. But the teacher had a larger part in mind. Wally was big enough to be the innkeeper, she reasoned. And so it was that Wallace Purling got the part of the innkeeper. He was given the part. Oh, how he practiced. The night of the play everything went beautifully. No one even missed a line. At last the play came to the part where Mary and Joseph knocked on the door of the inn. “What do you want?” Wallace asked, opening the door with a brusque gesture. “We seek lodging,” came the response. “Seek it elsewhere, the inn is filled,” “But sir, we have tried elsewhere, we have come a long way, and we are very tired,” they responded. “Go away,” Wally properly commanded. “There is no room in my inn for you.” “But sir, my wife is with child. Don?t you have a corner where we can get out of the cold?” For the first time the innkeeper broke his icy stare and looked at Mary. There was a long silence. The audience was tense with embarrassment because they thought Wallace had forgotten his lines. “No, be gone,” the prompter whispered. “No, be gone,” Wally said halfheartedly. Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary as they began to move off the stage. Suddenly, this Christmas program became different from all the others. Wallace Purling could stand it no longer. Big he was ? cruel he could never be. With big tears welling up in his eyes he gave a performance others would never forget. “Wait, don?t go Joseph!” Wally called. “Bring Mary back.” Wallace Purling?s face grew into a bright smile. “You can have my room and I?ll sleep out in the cold.” Some said the pageant was ruined. Others knew better. Wallace Purling caught the real spirit of Christmas ? that of giving and sacrifice. (Autoillustrator.com, CHRISTMAS)