Mateus 2
John Piper · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 2
Piper summarizes Mt 2:1-12 noting that "There are at least five truths that Matthew wants us to see in this story about Christ and worship Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews, and should be honored as such. Jesus is to be worshiped not just by Jews, but by all the nations of the world, as represented by the wise men from the east. God wields the universe to make his Son known and worshiped. This is his great goal in all things—that his Son be known and worshiped. Jesus is troubling to people who do not want to worship him and brings out opposition for those who do. Worshiping Jesus means joyfully ascribing authority and dignity to Christ with sacrificial gifts. (We Have Come to Worship Him) POSB has a list of the "Unusual Events" Surrounding the Birth of Jesus (Humanly speaking unusual yes, but divinely sovereign for sure!): Jesus Christ, Birth: Jesus’ birth was one of the most convulsive and disturbing events in all history (see Lu. 2:1–24). There was Mary’s pregnancy—the idea of her being an unwed mother (Mt. 1:18; Lu. 1:26f). Who of that day would ever believe her story? Required was a willingness to be available to God regardless of embarrassment and the opinions of family, friends, and neighbors. There was Joseph’s discovery of Mary’s pregnancy (Mt. 1:19). The shock of Mary’s apparent broken trust and of personal embarrassment were more than Joseph could bear (Mt. 1:20). Required was a willingness to forget self completely. There was the child, the Son of God Himself, being born in a smelly manger (Mt. 1:25; Lu. 2:1f). Required was a willingness to be humble. There was the family’s having to be uprooted and moved to a foreign nation, Egypt (Mt. 2:13f). Required was a willingness to obey at any cost. There was the slaughter of all children under two years of age (Mt. 2:16f). The heavy weight of feeling some responsibility was bound to attack Joseph and Mary. Required was a willingness on their part to bear anything. There was the visit of the wise men showing that the foreign relationships of nations were affected (Mt. 2:1f). Required was a willingness to bear the pressure of responsibility and the demands of being in the limelight. There was the uproar of Herod’s household traumatically affecting the lives of both Joseph and Mary (Mt. 2:7–8, 15–16, 22). Required was a willingness to stand against all odds. (Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible) John Butler - Sermon Starters - Volume 7 - The Birth of Christ Matthew 2:1 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem" (Matthew 2:1). The birth of Christ was a momentous event, yet the world by and large was unaware of the fact. Today the world is more aware of the event, but it does not seem interested in honoring the event. We note three important things about the birth of Christ. FIRST—THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea." The birth of Christ came about just as it was predicted in Micah 5:2. It did not look like that would happen, for Mary was in Nazareth and that was not Bethlehem. But God moved the greatest power on the earth, the Roman government, to prescribe action (Luke 2) that would get Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of Christ. When God predicts, He will move heaven and earth if necessary to fulfill the prediction. Micah predicted the birth of Christ some 700 years before it happened. This would give the critics plenty of time to scoff at the prediction. The Bible also predicts the second coming of Christ. It has been many years since the prediction was first made, but you can count on it being fulfilled. Scoffers abound about the second coming, as they did about the first coming, but as Vance Havner said, when you see a scoffer you have just seen another sign of His coming (I Peter 3:3). SECOND—THE PRINCE AT HIS BIRTH "In the days of Herod the king." God could have picked any other time for the birth of Christ, and it would have been a better time. Herod was a vile, bloody king and did not hesitate to try and kill Christ by his decree to kill all the babies two years old and younger in the Bethlehem area (Matthew 2). God seems to delight to do His greatest works when the opposition is the greatest. This should encourage all of us, for sometimes it seems like all is against us and that God cannot help us as things are just too bad. Don't give up when in those situations, remember that Christ was born in the days of Herod. If Christ could be born during Herod's days and survive, God can deliver us regardless of how dire our situation is. THIRD—THE PIETY BECAUSE OF HIS BIRTH "Behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." When Christ was born, some special people came to worship Him. We note two important things about this piety. • The wisdom of worship. "Wise men." The word translated "wise men" could also be translated "magician" or even "scientist." But the meaning involves wisdom, hence "wise men." People who worship Christ are wise indeed. • The way of worship. "From the east to Jerusalem." A great effort was put out to worship Christ. Worship is not necessarily convenient. It can cost much effort and expense. However it is worth i
Mateus 2
Piper has a good exhortation regarding the natural human tendency to want to try to explain the nature of the STAR - The answer is: We do not know. There are numerous efforts to explain it in terms of conjunctions of planets or comets or supernovas or miraculous lights. We just don’t know. And I want to exhort you not to become preoccupied with developing theories that are only tentative in the end and have very little spiritual significance. I risk a generalization to warn you: people who are exercised and preoccupied with such things as how the star worked and how the Red Sea split and how the manna fell and how Jonah survived the fish and how the moon turns to blood are generally people who have what I call a mentality for the marginal. You do not see in them a deep cherishing of the great central things of the gospel—the holiness of God, the ugliness of sin, the helplessness of man, the death of Christ, justification by faith alone, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the glory of Christ’s return and the final judgment. They always seem to be taking you down a sidetrack with a new article or new tape or book.(We Have Come to Worship Him) East (395)(anatole from anatello = to rise - ana = up, again + tello = to make to rise) means rising (as of a star or the sun). In some context anatole refers to the rising of the sun or "breaking of the dawn" which means East or Orient (used with this meaning especially in the Lxx - Ge 2:8, 10:30, 11:2, 12:8; used of the Magi from the east who saw the star in the east - Mt 2:1, 2, 9, those who come into God's kingdom will be from "east and west" = Mt 8:11, Lk 13:29, "lightning comes from the east" = Mt 24:27). Here Luke is using anatole to refer to the coming of Christ. John uses anatole to describe the "angel ascending from the rising of the sun." (Rev 7:2), to describe "kings from the east" as they assemble at Armageddon (Rev 16:12), and lastly to describe the "three gates on the east" of the holy city of Jerusalem that will come down out of heaven from God (Rev 21:13). Anatole - east(7), east*(1), rising(1), Sunrise(1). 10v - Matt. 2:1; Matt. 2:2; Matt. 2:9; Matt. 8:11; Matt. 24:27; Lk. 1:78; Lk. 13:29; Rev. 7:2; Rev. 16:12; Rev. 21:13 Related Resource: The Christmas Star | Biblical Science Institute And have come to worship Him - They had come to bow down in adoration & reverence to the King of kings. How is it that these Gentiles recognized what His own people refused to accept (Jn 1:11+, Mt 27:37)? Worship (bow down) (4352)(proskuneo from pros = before + kuneo = kiss or adore) means to prostrate one’s self, to kiss the hand to (towards) one in token of reverence, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence (to make a salam), by kneeling or prostration to do homage to one or make obeisance, either in order to express respect or make supplication. When Jesus Christ was born into this world, He was attended and worshipped by angels. (Lu 2:13f+). Proskuneo represents the most common Near Eastern act of adoration and reverence and also carries the idea of profound awe and respect. Some believe that the root word kuneo may be related to kuon which is the Greek word for dog and which then could be picturing a dog licking his master's hand. Proskuneo literally means to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore and so to worship and show respect. In the ancient Oriental (especially Persia) the mode of salutation between persons of equal rank was to kiss each other on the lips. When the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek. When one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, and as he was bowing down he would be throwing kisses toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that is intended by the Greek writers in the use of the verb proskuneo . Matthew's uses of proskuneo - Matt. 2:2; Matt. 2:8; Matt. 2:11; Matt. 4:9; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 8:2; Matt. 9:18; Matt. 14:33; Matt. 15:25; Matt. 18:26; Matt. 20:20; Matt. 28:9; Matt. 28:17 THOUGHT - And this should be our ultimate purpose in life even as we serve Him, doing so with an attitude of worship. And one cannot miss the striking contrast that while Gentile magi adore Jim as the King of the Jews, and the king of the Jews attempts to murder Him! It is interesting that Matthew gives few details surrounding the actual birth of Jesus but says more about what happened after His birth in Bethlehem. Messianic Hope: The King of the Jews The concept of the King Messiah who would one day come to deliver His people from oppression has been the sustaining hope of the Jewish people for generations. King Messiah is the instrument by whom God's king is to be established in Israel and the world. This hope runs throughout the Tanakh. This Messiah would be anointed by God to... Restore the Kingdom of David (Jer 23:5, Jer 30:9, Ezek 34:33) Restore the Temple (Isa 2:2, Micah 4:1, Zech 6:13, Ezekiel 37:26-28) Regather the exiles (Isa 11:12, Isa 43:5-6) Usher in world peace (Isa 2:4) Spread Torah knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. Zech 14:9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one. In the Tanakh, the key passage on which the idea of the Messianic King would rule is 2 Sa 7:11ff. This covenant could not have been fulfilled by Solomon and therefore refers to another anointed King. Rambam's View of Mashiach The Medieval rabbi Maimonides ("Ramban") is considered to be the voice of traditional Judaism. His "12th Principle" of the Jewish faith is his affirmation that the Messiah is coming to restore Israel to greatness beyond even King Solomon. "I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and though He may dely, nevertheless I wait for His coming every day." He went on to say "If a King will arise from the House of David who is learned in the Torah and observant of the mitzvot, as prescribed by the written law and the oral law, as David his ancestor was, and will compel all of Israel to walk in the way of the Torah and reinforce the breaches; and fight the wars of G-d, we may, with assurance, consider Him the Messiah. If he succeeds in the above, builds the Temple in its place, and gathers the dispersed for Israel, he is definitely the Messiah." (Mishneh Torah). According to rabbinical Judaism (following Maimonides), this Messiah figure is not divine, though he certainly has divine powers and attributes. Matthew 2:1-10 Wishing On Stars A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. —Numbers 24:17 On the night Jesus was born, the bright light of a single star announced His birth. It was an announcement that many had hoped and prayed for, yet many missed. Perhaps they were like me. Perhaps their hopes were more like dreams and their prayers were more like wishes. Maybe they were looking for a star that would grant every whim, not a light that would reveal their sin. Every Christmas when I sing in our church’s annual Festival of Lights program, I wish for several things. I wish for those few magic moments when the choir is so perfectly in tune that I can’t hear anyone, yet I can hear everyone. I think that’s what the music of heaven will be like. Every night when people are laughing at the drama, I wish that I could see what’s so funny. But I always get stuck in a part of the choir loft that’s behind the set. Yes, I wish for these things, but I know that instead of wishing to hear the pure strains of a few songs, I ought to pray that I will hear God when He speaks. Instead of wishing I could see the drama, I should pray that my eyes would see Jesus and not be distracted by the world. What Does God Want From Me? Trust (Psalm 37:3; Proverbs 3:5-6) Praise (Psalm 67:3; 100:3-4) Obedience (John 15:8-14; James 1:22-25) Christmas is a time to think of what God gave to us and what we can give to Him. Arnold Fruchtenbaum on the Gospel of Matthew - Theme: Jesus the Messiah, the King of the Jews Prime Audience: the first believers who had need of a Gospel, Jewish believers. Emphasis: Matthew’s emphasis was on Jesus’ fulfillment of the role of Messianic King. The early days of the Church were spent primarily in Jerusalem, and the believers there had direct access to the apostles for information about Jesus. However, upon the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7, many of these Jewish believers were dispersed to places such as Syria and Lebanon. They then had need of an authoritative life of the Messiah, which Matthew gave them in his Gospel. Matthew’s account supports the theme of Jesus the Messiah, King of the Jews in several ways. Matthew quotes the Old Testament, or the Tanakh (the 5 books of Moses, the Prophets, and the writings) over 60 times and makes extensive use of Messianic prophecies to show that Jesus was really the Messianic Davidic King. Many Jewish people were asking, and still ask today, if Jesus was the Messiah, where is the Messianic Kingdom promised? Matthew explains the Kingdom program and the delay of an earthly Messianic Kingdom. He also relayed Jesus’ words which warned of the impending judgment of 70 A.D. (Matthew 22:7, 23:36-38), which uniquely concerned the Jewish nation. THE OFFICE OF KING The third office of the Messiah is still future, the office of King. His first office was fulfilled in history by His First Coming; He presently holds His second office; His third office is future, and He will begin to function as King only with His Second Coming. A. Description of the Office The office of King, as far as its relationship to Jesus is concerned, is His right to rule over Israel and the world. Just as His prophetic and priestly offices were predicted by the Old Testament, His kingly office was also predicted by the Old Testament and much more frequently than the other two. That the Messiah would be King was predicted in Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; 1 Chronicles 17:10–14; Psalm 2:7; Psalm 45; Psalm 72; Psalm 119; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–10; 33:17; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Daniel 7:13–14; Micah 5:2; and Zechariah 9:9. B. Future Fulfillment of the Office The New Testament clearly teaches the future fulfillment of this office by Yeshua when He returns. Even within the scope of the Gospels during the time of His First Coming, He was declared to be King of the Jews (Mt. 2:1–2). The wise men came looking for Him, asking the question: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? He is also referred to as King in Matthew 21:4–5; Luke 1:30–33+; John 1:49+; and John 18:37. Jesus offered Himself as King at His First Coming, but He could not rule as King until He was accepted by His own nation. Unfortunately, at His First Coming when He offered Himself as King, He was rejected (Mat. 27:37; Mk. 15:16–20; Lk. 19:11–14; 23:38; Jn. 19:19–22). All of these specific passages emphasize, not just the rejection of Yeshua as Messiah, but in particular, the rejection of Him as King of the Jews. Since Yeshua could not fulfill that function until He was accepted by His own nation, He did not become King during His First Coming nor is He functioning in that office today. Instead, at His First Coming He remained within the scope of Prophet and, today, He remains within the scope of Priest. Some day, He will function in that third office, the office of King of the Jews and King of the world. Indeed, when Jesus comes back, He is returning for the purpose of setting up His Kingdom. The prerequisite to the Second Coming is the Jewish request for Him to return. Some day, all Israel will be saved; all Israel will accept Yeshua as their King (ED: cf Ro 11:26-27+, Zechariah 12:10-14+, Zechariah 13:1+, Zechariah 13:8-9+, et al). Once they do, then Yeshua will come again to set up His Kingdom and rule over it as King. This particular aspect of His Second Coming—for the purpose of setting up a Kingdom to rule over as King—is brought out in Revelation 19:15–16+ and Matthew 25:34, 40. IV. CONCLUSION In summary, Jesus holds three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. He does not function in all three offices simultaneously, but chronologically. At His First Coming, He functioned as Prophet. Between the First and Second Comings, He is functioning as Priest. At the Second Coming, He will function as King, and He will function in that capacity for 1,000 years. Normally, the Triumphal Entry is interpreted to represent the time when Yeshua (Jesus) came and officially offered Himself as the King of the Jews and as Israel’s Messiah. But that is not the best interpretation of the actual significance of the Triumphal Entry, because Yeshua had already been offering Himself as the Messiah and the King of the Jews for the previous three and one-half years. Israel had already rejected the Messiahship of Jesus about a year and one-half earlier (Mt. 12:22–45). At that point, Yeshua said that the generation of His day was guilty of committing the “unpardonable sin”; therefore, they were under the judgment that would come in the year A.D. 70. Furthermore, the Kingdom offer was then rescinded, to be re-offered to a later Jewish generation: the generation of the Great Tribulation. The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem was not for the purpose of officially offering Himself as the King; there was a different purpose. The Triumphal Entry took place in the context of the Passover. The significance of this particular Passover was that this was the Passover when Yeshua knew that the final atonement for sin would be made, by virtue of His death (Lk. 22:14). (See another interpretation - What is the significance of the triumphal/triumphant entry?) The Star First of all, we will discuss the issue of the star. The basic rule of interpretation is this: When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. Therefore take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths indicate clearly otherwise. (Dr. David L. Cooper) We should take the Bible exactly as it says unless there is some indication in the text and in the context that tells us we cannot take it literally. Five things indicate that this is not a literal star. To begin with, that this was no ordinary star is evident by the actions that this star took. The star is referred to as “His” star, the King of the Jews’ star, in a way that the other stars simply cannot be. This star appears and disappears. This star moves from east to west. This star moves from north to south. This star hovers over one single house in Bethlehem and points to where the Messiah is. Any literal star, as we know it, that will hover over just one house in Bethlehem will destroy this entire planet. It is very evident that this cannot be a literal star. Again, there are five things about this star which make it clear that it cannot be a physical star: 1. It is the personal star of the King of the Jews. 2. It appears and disappears. 3. It moves from east to west. 4. It moves from north to south. 5. It literally hovers over one single house in Bethlehem. Obviously it must be something different—but what is it? The root meaning of the Greek word for “star” simply means “radiance” or “brilliance.” By this star coming in the form of a light, what we actually have is the appearance of the Shechinah Glory rather than an astrologer’s star. (WHILE THIS IS A POSSIBILITY NOTE THIS IS CONJECTURE AND NOT DEFINITELY STATED BY THE BIBLICAL TEXT) What is the Shechinah Glory? The Shechinah Glory is the visible manifestation of God’s presence. Whenever God became visible in the Old Testament, this is referred to as the Shechinah Glory. In most cases, the Shechinah Glory came in the form of a light, fire, cloud or some combination of these three things. Over in Babylonia a light appeared, a brilliance, a radiance, that may have looked like a star from a distance and yet had actions and did things which no star can do or does do. What these Wise Men actually saw was the Shechinah Glory. When they saw this Shechinah Glory, when they saw this unusual brilliance, they deduced from it that it was a signal that the King of the Jews, the Messiah, had finally been born. (A study of the Shechinah Glory can be found in Appendix 4 of the author’s The Footsteps Of The Messiah.) Keeping in mind that in ancient times the two disciplines of astronomy and astrology were not separate sciences, if anyone would recognize a new light in the heavens, it would be them. (Arnold Fruchtenbaum - Messianic Christology) J C Ryle speaks of the amazing faith of the magi - The conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith (ED: HOWEVER AS ALLUDED TO ABOVE, THE MAGI MUST HAVE HAD SOME SPECIAL REVELATION ON WHICH TO BASE THEIR FAITH FOR AS PAUL TEACHES "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Ro 10:17+). They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him;—but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving;—but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary’s knee, and worshipped Him as a King. This was the crowning point of their faith.—They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them (ED: HERE I WOULD SLIGHTLY DISAGREE. SOMEHOW THE MAGI HAD RECEIVED SPECIAL REVELATION THAT HE WOULD BE KING OF THE JEWS). They beheld no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a newborn infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Saviour of the world. “They fell down and worshipped Him.” It is a faith that deserves to be placed side by side with that of the penitent thief. The thief saw one dying the death of a malefactor, and yet prayed to Him, and “called Him Lord.” (cf Lk 23:39-43+) The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman (Mt 2:11), and yet worshipped Him and confessed that He was Christ (ED: THE TEXT DOES NOT SAY THEY ACTUALLY CONFESSED HIM AS CHRIST BUT THAT WOULD BE A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION). Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion! (cf Jn 20:28) This is the kind of faith, let us remember, that God delights to honor. Wherever the Bible is read the conduct of these wise men is known, and told as a memorial of them. Let us walk in the steps of their faith. Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess Him, though all around us remain careless and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand-fold more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith? (All Ryle's Expository Comments on the Gospels on one page) Though we aren't Magi being physically guided by a star, we can still look at the stars in the sky to marvel at God's magnificent creation and His creative power. If you have a telescope and weather permits, spend time looking at the night sky. As you gaze at the stars, reflect on how God directed the Magi and protected Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. If there's a planetarium nearby, you could visit a star show with a friend and then discuss the way that God used a star as part of the story of the birth of Jesus. The Only King They bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:11 Today's Scripture & Insight: Matthew 2:1–12 As five-year-old Eldon listened to the pastor talk about Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth, he gasped when the pastor thanked Him in prayer for dying for our sins. “Oh, no! He died?” the boy said in surprise. From the start of Christ’s life on earth, there were people who wanted Him dead. Wise men came to Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod inquiring, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). When the king heard this, he became fearful of one day losing his position to Jesus. So he sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger around Bethlehem. But God protected His Son and sent an angel to warn His parents to leave the area. They fled, and He was saved (vv. 13–18). When Jesus completed His ministry, He was crucified for the sins of the world. The sign placed above His cross, though meant in mockery, read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (27:37). Yet three days later He rose in victory from the grave. After ascending to heaven, He sat down on the throne as King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:8–11). Reflect & Pray What does it mean for you to have Jesus as your King? Are there areas of your life where He’s not? Jesus, thank You for willingly dying for our sins and offering forgiveness. Teach us to submit to Your rule. John Butler - Sermon Starters - Volume 7 - Wise Men See Herod Matthew 2:2 "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" (Matthew 2:2). The wise men had gotten as far as Jerusalem and could go not farther without help. So they went to the logical place for directions, namely, Herod who was the then "king of the Jews." The wise men said three things to Herod, none of which pleased this very wicked man. FIRST—THE SEEKING "Where is he that is born king of the Jews?" This question was very revealing. It revealed the dumbness of Herod, and it disclosed the birth of Christ. • Dumbness of Herod. Herod the Great, as he was known in Israel did not know about the most important birth that ever occurred. He is like the king of England who wrote in his diary on the 4th of July 1776, the day of the declaration of Independence, that nothing important happened that day. Little did he know. Ask famous politicians today about Jesus Christ and all they will say will add darkness to the subject. They seldom, if ever, know anything about Christ. • Declaration of Christ's birth. Though born in a lowly manger, yet his birth is announced in the palace and by men of high standing. Christ may be despised and ignored but He is the most important being ever to set foot on this earth!!! SECOND—THE STAR "We have seen his star in the east." The wise men came from the east. The star had to be west of them if its purpose was to guide them. What a great privilege these wise men had. But privilege brings responsibility which can be very costly, the the wise men were indeed very responsible in that they came (at great cost and inconvenience) many miles to worship Christ. If you have not received divine privileges lately, or ever, maybe it is because you do not treat privilege with responsibility. Our day wants privilege (they call it 'rights') but they do not want the responsibility that comes with privilege. THIRD—THE SUBSERVIENCE "Are come to worship him." There are at least three lessons in this statement of devotion to Christ. They all have to do with the worship by the wise men. • The prudence of worship. "Wise men." The words "wise men" are a translation of the word 'magi' which is applied to various groups, from scientist to magicians and by implication means they were exceptionally wise. And wisdom is found in worshipping Christ. This is not evidenced in football stadiums or other sports arenas which schedule their games at church worship times which keeps many from worship. • The plebian of worship. "Worship him." Worship requires humility, for it is bowing before some one else regardless of your rank. • The Person of worship. "Him." This speaks of Christ's Deity. Only God is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:9). Ian Paisley in his devotional A Text A Day Keeps the Devil Away - They Saw His Star "We have seen his star" I think that it is right to believe that the wise men were kings in their own right. A star appeared to them in the east. It was certainly the far east for it took them two years to make their journey. The star was worth following for it was to lead them to their king. Though foreigners they were to become His subjects. They saw His star and watched it! They Saw His Would—Be Slayers "When Herod the king had heard these things, be was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." Herod was vile, wretched, old in crime and crooked in soul. He decided he would soon wipe the new king off the face of the earth. He reckoned without God. He pretended to show interest in the child so that he too could also worship Him. This was but a rouse, for his mind was made up to slay Him. They saw Herod and worried him! They Saw Himself "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." If they had kept following the star they would not have been sidetracked to Herod. Now having found the King they fell down and worshipped Him alone (Mary rightfully excluded) and presented gifts—gold, for royalty; frankincense, for sacrifice; myrrh, for burial. They saw Himself and worshipped Him. Matthew 2:2 A Russian Legend 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"—Matt. 2:2 The Russian peasantry have a curious tradition. It is that an old woman, the Baboushka, was at work in her house when the wise men from the East passed on their way to find the Christ-child. "Come with us," they said; "we have seen His star in the East, and go to worship Him." "I will come, but not now," she answered; "I have my house to set in order; when this is done I will follow and find Him." But when her work was done the three kings had passed on their way across the desert, and the star shone no more in the darkened heavens. She never saw the Christ-child, but she is living and searching for Him still. For His sake she takes care of all His children. It is she who in Russian and Italian houses is believed to fill the stockings and dress the tree on Christmas morn. The children are awakened by the cry of "Behold the Baboushka!" and spring up hoping to see her before she vanished out of the window. She fancies, the tradition goes, that in each poor little one whom she warms and feeds she may find the Christ-child, whom she neglected ages ago, but is doomed to eternal disappointment. Norman Geisler - MATTHEW 2:2—Why does the Bible commend the Magi for following the star, when it condemns astrology? PROBLEM: The Bible condemns the use of astrology (see Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:10; Isa. 8:19), yet God blessed the wise men (Magi) for using a star to indicate the birth of Christ. SOLUTION: First, we need to ask what astrology is. Astrology is a belief that the study of the arrangement and movement of the stars can enable one to foretell events—whether they will be good or bad. Second, the star used in the biblical account was to announce the birth of Christ, not to foretell this event. God gave the star to the Magi to proclaim to them that the child had already been born. We know the child was already born, because in Matthew 2:16, Herod gives a command to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity that are two years old or younger in accordance with “the time which he had ascertained from the Magi” (NASB). Third, there are other cases in the Bible in which the stars and planets are used by God to reveal His desires. Psalm 19:1–6 affirms that the heavens declare God’s glory, and Romans 1:18–20 teaches that creation reveals God’s existence. Christ refers to what will happen to the sun, moon, and stars in connection with His second coming (Matt 24:29–30), as did the prophet Joel (2:31–32). The star guiding the Magi was not used to predict, but to proclaim the birth of Christ. (When Critics Ask) Matthew 2:1-12 Be A Star Those who turn many to righteousness [shall shine] like the stars forever and ever. —Daniel 12:3+ Many today seek stardom by trying to get into the media spotlight. But a young Jewish captive achieved “stardom” in a better way. When Daniel and his friends were taken captive by a ruthless invading nation, it was unlikely that they would be heard from again. But the godly young men soon distinguished themselves as intelligent and trustworthy. When the king had a dream that his wise men could not repeat nor interpret, he condemned them to death. After a night of prayer with his friends, Daniel received from God the content of the dream and its interpretation. As a result, the king promoted Daniel to be his chief advisor (see Da 2:48). If the story ended there, it would be remarkable enough. But some scholars believe that Daniel’s influence in Babylon made people aware of messianic prophecies about a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Daniel’s teaching may have been the reason that 500 years later wise men from the East followed a star to a remote and unfamiliar part of the world to find an infant King, worship Him, and return to their country with the good news of God’s incredible journey to earth (Matt. 2:1-12). By turning others to righteousness, we, like Daniel, can become a star that will shine forever.By Julie Ackerman Link Make me a blessing, make me a blessing! Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today. —Wilson You can attract people to Jesus when you have His light in your life. Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. NET When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. GNT ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἡρῴδης ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα Ἱεροσόλυμα μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, NLT King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. KJV When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ESV When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; NIV When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. he - Mt 8:29 23:37 1Ki 18:17,18 Joh 11:47,48 Ac 4:2,24-27 5:24-28 Ac 16:20,21 17:6,7 A TROUBLED TYRANT When Herod the king heard this - What is this? The question of the magi about another King (Mt 2:2)! Herod the king Herod had been called “king of the Jews” by the Senate in Rome for almost 40 years. Herod the king is also known as "Herod the Great." This designation of "great" is clearly in the eyes of men, but it will carry no weight with God at the Great White Throne judgment for John records "And I saw the dead, the GREAT and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds...And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:12,15+) D A Carson says Herod "was wealthy, politically gifted, intensely loyal, an excellent administrator, and clever enough to remain in the good graces of successive Roman emperors. His famine relief was superb and his building projects (including the temple, begun 20 B.C.) were admired even by his foes. But he loved power, inflicted incredibly heavy taxes on the people, and resented the fact that many Jews considered him a usurper. In his last years, suffering an illness that compounded his paranoia, he turned to cruelty and in fits of rage and jealousy killed close associates.” Barclay on Herod's evil disposition - “Augustus, the Roman Emperor, had said, bitterly, that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son. (The saying is even more epigrammatic in Greek, for in Greek hus is the word for a pig, and huios is the word for a son).”