Matthew 2:1-11 – The Hearts of Christmas – Bible study

Matthew 2:1-11 The Hearts of Christmas It is an amazing study of the Christmas Scriptures to not the reactions of people to Christ. Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed a powerful truth in one of his remarks, "What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say." Certainly, the actions of the people to Jesus birth tell us much of what their hearts were saying. I find it interesting how little the symbol for the heart is used for Christmas. I. \#Matt 2:1-12\ Lets consider the wise men. A. Who are they? 1. Actually, there is much about them that we do not know. What most people do know about the wise men, they get from the song and not from the Bible. 2. The word used for wise men is "mag-os." a. It can be translated either wise men or sorcerer. b. Which were they? (1) Probably both. (2) They were the well-educated and wise men of that day. They probably served as advisors to the king. (3) But they were probably sorcerers too (Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Belteshazzar) B. What did they do? 1. \#1-10\ The wisemen KNEW and CAME. a. Somehow they KNEW that the Jewish King was born. (1) Just how much they knew, we do not know. (2) How did they know? (a) \#2\ But they had a star. i. What kind of star? aa. It appeared and disappeared. bb. It directed them to a specific locationover a specific house! https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/christmas-star-will-be closest-visible-conjunction-jupiter-saturn-800-n1250418 ii. But how did the wise men know what it meant? Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (b) They must have known something from Scripture. i. Little else is possible. ii. This is why some think they came from Babylon, 800 or more miles away. (c) They must have had the Spirit. Maybe an angel but I think God literally put it together somehow. b. But they also CAME. (1) 800 miles to Babylon (2) East meant the Orient, 7,500 miles away. 2. \#11\ They gave gifts. a. And they were EXPENSIVE gifts too. b. But again, that was part of the welcoming a new prince. 3. \#11\ The wise men worshipped. a. Again, a great indication of the heart. b. The word "worship" means to "bow and kiss." It shows reverence, adoration, and submission. c. However, it is used not only of our adoration of God, but also of a similar adoration to kings. d. Remember Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego? (1) They were commanded to "fall down and worship" the idol \#Dan 3:5, 10,15\. (2) They refused. (3) Why? They did not want anyone to think they were worshipping another god. C. What kind of heart did the wise men bring? 1. They had a curious heart, but more than that. 2. They had an adventurous heart, but more than that. 3. They had a believing heart. 4. They may have had a submissive heart. 5. If they had a repenting heart, they will be in heaven. II. \#Matt 2:4-6\ Scribes and Chief Priests A. The wise men came from far away and were determined to find this Baby. 1. Whatever insight they had into Gods plan, the wisemen no doubt shared with Herod who shared it with the Scribes and priests. 2. The scribes and priests were not interested enough to travel the seven miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. 3. Why would they not come? B. First, lets ask why SHOULD THEY HAVE COME? 1. This was their FIELD. a. Because they were being told the Messiah was come. b. Chief Priests – Preachers and pastors of the day c. Scribes and Pharisees – Religious educators of the day d. The trip was only 7 miles. (1) 7 miles of walking for them would have been about the same as 30 minutes riding for us. (2) Besides, I am sure Herod would have been glad to lend them a chariot if they had wanted to go! e. Their field of study was the same as mine is, the Bible. I and many others have been only too happy to get on a plane and fly half way around the world to see what they would not travel 7 miles to see. 2. This was their HOPE. a. They wanted Messiah to come to free them from Rome. b. He did and they werent interested. c. Much like what happened in Egypt. They were praying for a deliverer but when God sent them Moses, they wanted to stay in Egypt! 3. This was their SOUL. a. These priests were when Jesus was born what they were when Jesus was grownsmug and self-righteous. b. Dont you think your soul is worth a hike down a major highway? C. Why would they not come? 1. Probably the same reason people to do not come today. 2. Their hearts were COLD. a. Perhaps they didnt care. b. Perhaps they cared but were too busy. c. They were too tired. 3. They did not care enough to even investigate the matter. D. I think anyone who will investigate will see who Jesus is. 1. His prophecies a. Dozens scattered through centuries (lineage, birth place, birth time, conception, nature, ministry, even the type of death which would not be popularized for several centuries.) b. Fulfilled prophecy is the one undeniable proof that Jesus is who He said. c. Either that or He was the greatest conman performing the greatest hoax of all time. 2. His life-sinless, powerful, and loving 3. His claims a. Some say Christianity is the greatest cause of war on earth. b. If you will read the claims of Christ, you will see that Jesus is the greatest pacifist the world has ever know. c. Much blood has been shed in the name of religion by both Catholism and Protestants, but Christianity has never shed a drop. d. The first blood that Christianity will shed is recorded in Revelation 19. e. There Christians are not spilling blood for Christ but Christ is spilling blood for Christians. 4. The change He makes in a life. E. I challenge you to come and investigate the Christ of Christmas and see for yourself who He is! F. What kind of heart did the Chief Priests bring? a cold heart III. Lets consider the inn keeper. A. The only reference to the inn keeper is an indirect reference. Luke 2:7 And 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. B. I believe the inn keeper might get a raw deal. 1. There were no reservations in that day. 2. The tax had apparently brought great crowds back to Bethlehem and everything was just full. 3. The man could not take a room away from someone else and the Law actually required him to keep his word once he had given it. 4. I have often thought the only option the man would have would be to give them HIS room, but we dont know that he had not already given his own room out to someone else. 5. Many a traveler in that day were glad to stay in the barn! a. There was hay for a bed and the animals. b. There was a roof and may some walls for shelter and privacy. C. Yet, the inn keeper, for good or bad, serves as a type, a picture of the man not willing to make a place for Jesus. 1. The inn keeper gave Jesus what was left, but made no sacrifice for Him. 2. The inn keepers heart is the stuffed heart. IV. \#Matt 2:16-18\ Herod Matt 2:16 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 enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 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. A. Here is a man whose actions give away his heart. 1. He attempted to trick the wise men into revealing the Messiah so that he could kill Him. 2. When that failed, he killed every baby boy in Bethlehem. a. That is not all of the killing he did. b. He killed at least one of his wives and killed his children to keep them from inheriting the throne just before he himself died! B. Herods heart was the evil heart. 1. It was a murdering, cold-hearted, God-rejecting heart. 2. Of all the hearts in the Christmas account, this is by far the worst! 3. This is the heart of the living but damned. 4. Sadly, in our country, it seems to be the heart growing in number the fastest. a. What is causing the evil hearts to swell in number so? b. We can say it is the devil, but what has given him so much power? (1) the presence of sin and selfishness (2) the absence of wisdom and accountability V. Joseph had a believing heart! How do I know? Because he obeyed the Lord! Matt 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: A. The heart that obeys is the heart that believes! B. This man, like Mary, took upon himself the role of being ostracized; but he did not hesitate. C. He immediately obeyed the Lord.