Title Matthew 2:1~12 (July 7, 2011)
Contents
Title: The Messiah, Jesus
Text: (Matthew 2:1~12)
Hymns: 122. Very nice believer
Date: July 3, 2011 (Sunday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
What is pleasing and important to one may be unpleasant to another. That was the birth of Jesus. It was a joy for those who were looking forward to the Messiah's birth, but it was only a worry for those who had their own vested interests ahead.
1. Messiah born according to prophecy (verses 1-6)
The prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 7 will not come true until 700 years later. Micah 5 gives the exact location for the coming of the Messiah. In this way, God's work of salvation must be fulfilled. Having received the Messianic prophecy, the Israelites had to wait for the fulfillment of the prophecy. Simeon and Anna in Luke 2 also waited with the prophecy in their hearts. They finally saw the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies. God is faithful to fulfill the promises he made to his people. We too must know how to trust and wait for God's word to be faithfully fulfilled. Those who persevere and wait until the end will share in God's grace. Do we patiently wait for the fulfillment of the promises and promises that God has given us? Or do you give up and find another humane way?
2. Jew and Gentile (vv. 7-8)
The baby Jesus, the King of glory, came to this earth in a humble appearance. So most people did not recognize Jesus. The Jewish leaders not only did not recognize the Messiah, the Son of God, but even tried to kill him. Even the Jews, who considered themselves the chosen people and believed to be preachers of the law, did not welcome the birth of Jesus. However, Gentile wise men, who were not given the law, foretold the birth of Jesus and came from a distant East to worship the King of kings, risking their lives. We need to examine whether Jesus is like the Jews who oppressed Jesus even though we claimed to have belonged to the class of faith. Be the saints who truly worship Jesus like Mary who poured perfume on her feet and like the Magi.
3. Offerings to the Messiah (verses 9-12)
The wise men from the East were guided by a supernatural star to find the place where Jesus was born and worshiped with the gifts they had prepared. The Worship of the Magi reminds us of the offerings offered by the Gentiles on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, or Zion, at the end of Isaiah 60. So gold symbolizes kingship, frankincense symbolizes divinity, and myrrh symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ. The end began when Christ came to this earth. The visits of the wise men show that fact so clearly. How are you living a life that pleases the Lord while you are living in the end times? Are you offering gifts and worship worthy of the name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings? Or are you living with hope in a world that will perish?
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born in Bethlehem as prophesied. His birth has a completely different meaning for believers and unbelievers. What does the birth of Jesus mean for us? Are you giving glory to Jesus, who came as the Savior of mankind?
<Prayer>
1. Walk with the Lord and live while looking only at the cross!
2. May the anointing of the Holy Spirit be filled in all worship!
3. Send a new life, and restore the weak fellows!