Matthew 2

Matthew 2:1

If you followed the development of the Stealth Bomber, you know this aircraft, which looks like a bat, is really beautiful and quite impressive. With a price tag of five hundred million dollars, it had better be impressive! On its maiden test flight, the Stealth circled successfully for several hours, and preliminary tests indicated it would be able to slip through even the most sophisticated radar. There was an interesting footnote regarding these tests: Where the plane flew, dogs barked. The Stealth emitted a noise the frequency of which could be detected by any garden variety German shepherd. We spend half a billion bucks on these technological wonders, and all you have to do to detect them is get yourself a dog. When you hear him bark, you’ll know the Stealth’s flying by! I appreciate our country, and I’m thankful to be an American, but I don’t have a lot of confidence in any human government. Not only is the political process vulnerable to corruption, but even our most advanced technology is outdated as soon as it goes into mass production. I am relieved that the answer is not the Stealth Bomber, but Jesus Christ, our Hope. He is the solid Rock upon which we stand. What we really need in this world is not more sophisticated military technology, but for Jesus to come back personally. When He returns, Scripture says He will rule with a rod of iron. This means He’s going to rule rightly and effectively with authority. Matthew’s mission is to present Jesus as such a King. The question is, if Jesus had a right to the throne of Israel, did anyone acknowledge this? It’s one thing for Him to say, “I am the King, and here is My heritage. But it is something else altogether to have someone else ratify and recognize such a right. Matthew chapter 2 answers this very concern. In chapter 1, we saw the heritage of the King. Now chapter 2 shows us homage to the King paid by those who did, in fact, recognize His royalty. Jesus was born in the days when Herod was king of Judaea. Standing only four feet four inches tall, Herod was a short man who wanted to prove he was a big guy. He became a master builder, erecting palaces, fortresses, and entire cities. He built Masada, Herod’s royal citadel; aqueducts; and remodeled the temple in Jerusalem. He made monuments of great grandeur to his name and to his legacy. However, he was also a cruel and vicious individual who murdered his wife and three sons in the same evening, prompting Caesar Augustus to say, “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.” Well into his seventies, and realizing no one would mourn his death, Herod ordered the arrest of one hundred of the leading men of Jerusalem. He put them in prison and demanded that the moment he died, those hundred men were to be killed instantly. In his reasoning, he stated, “If the city won’t mourn for me, let it mourn for those who die with me.” The men were arrested, and Herod eventually died, but his final order was never carried out. Herod was actually an Edomite, and not a Jew at all. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. Jacob and Esau, who began warring in their mother’s womb, continued their battle throughout history. This war began between the sons of JacobIsrael versus the sons of Esauthe Edomites. And here we find them still at war in Matthew chapter 2 as a son of Esau, Herod, is trying to slaughter a Son of Jacob, Jesus. How did Herod become king? He was a conniver who gained political influence through his dealings with Mark Antony of Cleopatra fame. A powerful person in Rome at that time, Mark Antony appointed Herod king of Judaea. This enabled Herod to become the potentate of Judaea, although in actuality, he was a puppet of Rome. It was during this period when Herod was king that the wise men, or magi, came from the East.

Matthew 2:2

Regardless of how many Christmas movies you’ve seen, or how many Nativity scenes you might have, there is no reason to believe there were only three wise men. There may have been three hundred. There’s no way to know for sure. We do know, however, they came from the East. We know these magi were astrologers, studying the stars to determine the future. They were also interpreters of dreams. They were likely to have been residing in the area of Babylon when they saw a star and followed it, believing it to be the sign of the coming King of the Jews. What made them think this to be true? I suggest it was due to another man who resided in Babylon five hundred years prior to this who was also an interpreter of dreams. His name? Daniel. In the seventh chapter of the book that bears his name, Daniel wrote that “One would come, called the Ancient of Days, to rule and reign upon the earth; and that He would have everlasting dominion.” In fact, Daniel gave the very date this One would ride into Jerusalem. So these wise men, these magi, were most likely very familiar with Daniel’s writings, prophecies, and teachings. And no doubt they were watching for the Ancient of Days to appear. Isn’t it great the way the Lord appears to people wherever they’re at? The magi studied the stars, and the Lord said, “Okay, I’ll speak to them in the stars and reveal to them the true Star, the Star of Jacob, as Balaam declared Him to be in Num_24:17. Because the magi were into astrology, God used the stars to draw them to the Son. Notice the magi weren’t coming to get something from Jesus. After all, He was only a baby, a toddler there in Bethlehem. Nor were they coming because of what He had done for them; for at that point, He had done nothing. They came to worship Him solely because of who He was. Do you ever come to church saying, “Lord, I’m going to worship You because I’ve got this business deal coming down next week, and I need Your help,” or, “I’m feeling depressed, and I know if I worship, I’ll get high emotionally and spiritually”? There are, indeed, blessings to be found in worship, but they shouldn’t be our motivation to worship. Why should we worship the Lord? Because He is the King of kings, the Creator of all things, the reason for life, the destiny of life. He is the smitten Rock, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lily of the Valley, the Fairest of Ten Thousand, the Bright and Morning Star. An understanding of who Jesus is should be motivation enough for us to worship Him. For truly, “Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power” (Rev_4:11).

Matthew 2:3

Herod was upset because he realized there might be a true King, a Son of David, a Jew around whom the nation of Israel could rally. Herod realized he could be dethroned, Edomite that he was. But why was all Jerusalem troubled? Because Jerusalem was aware of the political ramifications of what these magi were saying. The birth of a new king introduced the possibility that the people in Israel, and perhaps those in the entire eastern world, would have someone to support and to whom they would willingly submit. Intimidated by this, Caesar would send down his legions into Jerusalem. The city would be trampled, and blood would be shed. Recognizing the makings of a revolution, those closest to Herod foresaw terrifying consequences.

Matthew 2:4

These scribes were aware of Mic_5:2, which said that Jesus Christ would be born in an insignificant little city five miles outside of Jerusalem. Yet, it amazes me that they didn’t even bother to make the short journey to Bethlehem to see what was happening. The wise men spent months, perhaps years, traveling across the desertspending much money and expending great energy to seek the Lord. The scribes who knew the Word wouldn’t even get on their feet to see what was happening a mere five miles away. Isn’t there a warning for you and me in this? Sometimes we think knowing the Scriptures is good enough.

But it’s doing, not merely knowing the Word, that counts. You and I can easily become like these scribes, saying, “Well, we know what is happening. We know what we should be doing, and that’s good enough.” No, the blessing is in doing, not just in knowing. The scribes told Herod he would find the Christ in Bethlehem. Bethlehem today is a major disappointment for tourists because they go expecting to see something special, but when they get there, all they see is a typical Middle Eastern city. They go into the church of the Nativity, assuming it will be awesome. But as they walk in, they see the church itself divided into three sections (Catholic, Eastern, and Russian Orthodox) because these three groups have been fighting for centuries over who should control the site. And there are objects hanging from the ceiling that look like Christmas tree ornaments in a garage sale. With church groups fighting and dusty relics hanging, no wonder Bethlehem appears to be disappointing. But you know what? It’s perfect! You see, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was born in a stable, or a cave, which was used as a stable. It wasn’t the picturesque setting we often have in our minds. No doubt, it was dirty. There were cow pies on the ground and flies buzzing overhead. It had to be so. Jesus came to a real world as a real Man to help real people. And Bethlehem mirrors reality today. Bethlehema very appropriate place for the Bread of Life to be born, for ‘Bethlehem’ means ‘House of Bread.’ Bethlehem was an unimpressive little city then and is an unimpressive little city still. But because Jesus was born there, more songs have been sung about, more poetry written about, more photographs taken of, more trips made to this insignificant little city than any other. Bethlehem is one of the best-known places in the world today for only one reason: Jesus was there. And so too with you and me. Jesus comes into little people like uspeople who are somewhat dusty and not at all that impressiveand He makes us great, not because of who we are, but because of whose we are. We are His.

Matthew 2:7

“You wise guys, go ahead and find Him, and when you have located Him, come and tell me that I may go and worship Him as well.” Herod said this, not because he sincerely desired to worship the Christ, but because he was determined to exalt his own position, to establish his own authority, to eliminate the Babe of Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:9

Notice the magi came into the house, not the stable because Jesus was probably about a year and a half old by the time they made it all the way to Jerusalem. So when you set up your Nativity scene next Christmas, put your wise men four blocks away because it took them a long time to arrive! Worship is always costly. It might cost you your so-called dignity. It might cost you financially as you learn to tithe and to give. It might cost you your friends or your family. The magi came worshiping with costly gifts. Gold indicates they acknowledged Jesus as King, since gold is a metal associated with kingly rule. By bringing frankincense, the spice used by priests, the wise men not only acknowledged Jesus as a mighty King, but as a Priest. Myrrh being the spice used in burials, the wise men acknowledged Jesus would be a martyred Prophet. The three-fold office of Jesus, the Messiah, is seen in the gifts of the wise men: gold for a Mighty King, frankincense for a Ministering Priest, myrrh for a Martyred Prophet.

Matthew 2:12

The wise men were students not only of stars but of dreams, so it was fitting that they were warned in a dream about Herod’s true intentions. At Jesus’ birth, Gentile magi acknowledged Him as King. At Jesus’ death, Pilate, a Gentile, commanded a placard reading “King of the Jews” be posted on His Cross. Although the Jews said, “We will not have this man rule over us,” and rejected His kingship, there were those who did indeed acknowledge Jesus as King.

Matthew 2:13

Evidently, Mary and Joseph used the gifts of the wise men to finance their trip to Egypt, where Jesus would be protected from Herod’s wrath.

Matthew 2:15

Egypt being a type of the world, Jesus journeyed into Egypt that He might free us from Egypt.

Matthew 2:16

After Jesus was born and then taken safely into Egypt, Herod ordered the extermination of all male children two years old and younger. Swords flashed, mothers screamed, blood flowed in the streets, and we see the other side of the Christmas story. Bedlam in Bethlehem A Topical Study of Mat_2:16-18 In the second chapter of Matthew, we come, of course, to the birth of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.Jer_31:15 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, in Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.Mat_2:16-18 When the Babylonians invaded Judah in 586 B.C. and carried the Jews captive into Babylon, Jeremiah 40 tells us that the deportation headquarters were in Ramah, a city five miles north of Bethlehem. Inspired by the Spirit, Matthew refers to that event as a picture of its ultimate fulfillment here in the story of the Nativity, six hundred years later. For once again there was weeping in Ramah, as Rachelthe mothers of Israelwept for the children a crazed Herod had ordered annihilated in his attempt to kill the Christ Child. “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men” was sung by the angels in the heavens on the night of Jesus’ birth. But there’s another side to the Christmas story. No longer, “O Little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,” but “O little town of Bethlehem, how deep we hear thy cry.” Soldiers marching in the streets replaced shepherds running through the streets. And piercing swords replaced “Peace on earth” when a Silent Night became a screaming night. Picture yourself there, mothers. Roman soldiers marching through your town, grabbing your children, piercing swords through their hearts or decapitating them, while you scream and lament without help and without hope. That’s the other side of Christmas, for the Babe of Bethlehem brought bloodshed to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Jer_31:15 concerning weeping and lamentation, sorrow and suffering. No wonder in Matthew 10, Jesus gives us these words concerning His ministry: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.Mat_10:34-38 The coming of Christ still causes pain. When you open up your heart to the Babe of Bethlehem, understand that pain and separation are sure to follow. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.Mat_4:21-22 You who give your lives to Jesus Christ, know this: It may result in a division among family. I’m not talking about leaving them physically, but about the pain of their inability to understand where you’re at or what you’re doing. Many parents would rather have their children smoke pot than come to church. “You’re not becoming a Jesus freak, are you?” they say. “Anything but that!” There will be a division among friends. The sword comes, and suddenly, the group you hung out with is no longer so inclined to include you in their plans. “Oh, you used to be so much fun,” they’ll say. “What happened?” There will also be a division among the flesh. If you are truly sincere about following this Babe of Bethlehem, the flesh must die. And the flesh doesn’t die easily. It screams and cries, “Satisfy me.” But you who are serious must say, “The sword has come. I will no longer give in to my fleshly impulses and desires. I will not be dominated by my flesh and by the sins of society.” The story is told that in the first century, when Hadrian, emperor of Rome, waged war against the Christians in the empire, a group of forty believers gathered to worship. Soldiers surrounded them and said, “Upon order of the emperor, your worship of this so-called King of the Jews must cease immediately, or you will be executed.” “Do what you will,” answered the forty, “even if it costs our lives.” So the Roman soldiers took them into a mountainous region. It was wintertime, and the small lake in the area was completely frozen over. The captain of the guard said, “Here is one more opportunity for you to deny Jesus Christor we will place you on that lake all night until your bodies freeze.” “It is better to freeze for a night than to burn in hell for eternity,” answered the brave believers. So the forty believers took their places on the ice. With teeth chattering and knees knocking, they sang “Forty Brave Soldiers for Christ” as the Romans looked on and mocked them. Occasionally, the captain would call out, “Come to your senses, men. Deny Jesus just for a moment. Come and be warmed by the fire and be saved.” But the believers would not budge, and kept singing “Forty Brave Soldiers for Christ, forty Brave Soldiers for Christ.” After an hour or so, one Christian stood up, able to endure the pain no longer. He ran toward the soldiers, saying, “I deny Jesus the Christ.” And he was welcomed to be warmed by the fire. He couldn’t pay the price, and he turned his back on the Babe of Bethlehem. What about you? What would happen if suddenly you were absolutely forbidden to name the Name of Jesus Christ? Would you be willing to suffer, to be tortured, or to die? Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.Mat_10:34 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.Joh_15:20 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping…Jer_31:15 (a) But wait! There’s an asterisk, a footnote we must consider. You see, the Jews knew that even as Jeremiah wept over a nation about to be destroyed, he also gave Israel a hope imbedded in chapters 30-33. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.Jer_31:16-17 “Don’t cry,” says the Lord. “I hear the weeping that is going on in Israel, but you don’t see what’s coming. Refrain from your crying. Your children shall returnstronger than ever. The nation shall survive, and it shall prosper. The kingdom shall be established. The desert shall blossom. And you will have peace and prosperity unlike any other nation in the history of the world.” And I say the same thing to you this day. Yes, sometimes following the Savior means sword, suffering, and sorrow. Yes, there is a cost. Yes, it can mean difficulties. But I also say, “Refrain from your weeping because the blessings to come are even greater.” You who have felt forsaken by your family because they think you’re a fanatic, know this: You have a new family that is eternala family with the same values and heart and priorities as yours; brothers and sisters who care about you, older brothers and sisters who will be fathers and mothers to you. This is the meaning behind the dialogue in Mark 10. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.Mar_10:28-30 A hundred fold? How can that be? This is how: If my house burned down today, I know there are a hundred people who would take us inat least for a while! In my church family, I have a hundred houses. I have land. I have brothers. I have friends, sisters, and mothers. This is much better than me just having my own little trip. I have something much bigger. It’s called the family of God. Your Friend will be faithful. If my friends forsake me, so be it. I have exchanged friends who are fickle for a Friend who will never fail meeven when I fail Him. Jesus called Judas “friend” even in the moment of betrayal. That’s the kind of Friend I want. Your flesh? Let it die. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.Mat_10:39 What good could you do dying, you ask? Remember the forty believers on the lake in northern Italy? After one of their brothers left and turned away, they still sang, only they changed their song to, “Thirty-nine Brave Soldiers for Christ.” One of the Roman soldiers observing this scene was so moved that he ran out upon the lake and said, “No. Forty Brave Soldiers for Christ. Forty Brave Soldiers for Christ.” If you live for your family, your friends, or your flesh, you’ll lose everything. But if you give up your life and say, “Lord, I’m following You. I’m dying to self. Let the sword strike where it will,” you’ll find life. That’s the irony of Christianity: The more you die, the more you live. Follow the Babe of Bethlehem. Yes, there will be weeping; yes, there will be sorrow. That’s what Jer_31:15 prophesied. But don’t forget verse Jer_31:16. Good things are coming. You who have paid the price and taken up the Cross, refrain from weeping. There can be hurts and sorrows, but the blessings you have presently and those that lie ahead are oh so much greater. They really are!

Matthew 2:19

I wish the Lord would call me to the ministry of sleeping. Four times in two chapters, the Lord spoke to Joseph in his sleep!

Matthew 2:20

Nazareth was not the most picturesque or prominent spot. In fact, the word Nazareth literally means “bean town” or “sprout town.” We would call it “hick town” today, which is why Nathanael, upon hearing of a Messiah from Nazareth, asked, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Is it possible that Messiah would actually come from a place like that?” Isaiah writes that Messiah would come forth as “a rod out of the stem of Jesse” (Isa_11:1). In other words, Messiah would come as a “sprout” out of the stem of Jessefrom “sprout town,” a Sprout. Wherever you’re living, or wherever you’re from, remember that Jesus can relate to your situation. He chose to be a Nazarene, to be from Sprout Town, to be one of us.