Download Reactions to the Baby

Christmas Message
Title: “Reactions to the Baby”
Matthew 2:1-12 ~ December 12, 2004
OBJECTIVE:
To produce a God-honoring reaction to Jesus’ birth – and His call
on our life.
Opening prayer
Isn’t it fun to see the way we react to Christmas morning as we get
older?
 As little children, we can’t wait to get up and open presents!
Without fail, my dad would make us wait before opening presents.
We opened them on Christmas Eve because all our relatives came
to our home on Christmas day, and there was much work to do in
preparation. We would attend the Christmas Eve service at church,
and then, as my brother and I were bubbling over with excitement
to get home and open presents, my dad would drive around our
town and look at the various Christmas light displays! It would
drive us crazy!
 As teenagers, the excitement is tempered by the excitement
about sleeping in!
 As newlyweds, a nice, quiet, slow-paced Christmas morning is
the preferred recipe.
 As parents of little kids, your main thought seems to be making
sure your kids have fun, but don’t lose sight of the real meaning
of Christmas.
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 As grandparents, I think you are as excited as the grandkids!
You can encourage the craziness – and then go home and not
have any responsibility of “some assembly required”!
Let’s put presents aside for a moment. If there were no presents
under the tree – how would you react to Christmas? When you
think of the birth of Jesus, what reaction is deep within your soul?
Turn with me to Matthew 2:1-12 – We will see two reactions to the
baby.
Read Passage
Reaction #1 – Worship the baby. 2:1-2
The reaction of the Magi (Wise Men) is that they understood
that the ‘king of the Jews’ was born and they knew that this
king was worthy of their worship. I don’t mean to imply that
they understood that this baby was the Messiah – that this
baby was God in the flesh – but their reaction is one we can
learn from. Instead of being an enemy of God – instead of
being hostile to Him – we need to acknowledge His worth
and worship at His feet!
Many Christians come and worship out of a sense of
obligation. They attend church because of pressure from
those around them. Their family has expectations – so they
come. Their peer group has expects to see them at church –
so they come. The Pastor will call them if they aren’t there
on Sunday – so they come. Why are you here this
morning? What is your motive for being here today –
worshipping our Lord? The Magi didn’t worship baby
Jesus because it was the thing to do – or because it was
expected of them – they did it because it was the right
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thing to do! They weren’t ashamed of it and they didn’t
apologize to King Herod about their intent!
In our culture today, Jesus is becoming more offensive.
Those who are worshippers of the Christ child are seen as
thoughtless drones who need an extra ‘boost’ for life or we
aren’t intelligent enough to see how misguided and useless
this whole religion thing is.
Illus. – Denver, CO – Parade of Lights
 Most Festive of Seasons – Mayoral apology (see attached)
 Honeywell policy (Gil Jones)
 U of A policy (Juan)
Are you willing to worship Jesus – are you willing to
celebrate the birth of Christ – no matter what others will
think?
One other point here – notice that what led them was the star
they saw in the eastern sky. The Magi (Wise Men) were wise
enough to see the clues God put before them – and to follow
the clues as they led to Emmanuel! How is
God leading you – and are you following the clues He has
placed in your path – clues that will lead you to Him?
Reaction #2 – Anger at the baby 2:3-12
Illus. Anger management out of control – see attached
Reasons why people get angry at Jesus…
1. They want to be king – vs. 3
Herod the Great, as he is now called, was born in 73 B.C. and
was named king of Judea by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C. By 37
B.C. he had crushed, with the help of Roman forces, all
opposition to his rule. He 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.) admired even by his foes.
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(From Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
The text says that when “…Herod heard this he was
disturbed…” Why? Why was Herod disturbed at the
birth of a baby? Why was he disturbed at the birth of a
baby who was prophesied to be king of the Jews?
Herod was the Roman appointed king over the Jews – it
didn’t matter what the Jews did or believed – He had
complete authority over them and he had the ability to
crush any rebellion with the might of the Roman army.
Why was he so afraid? I would submit to you that his
fear was irrational – and it’s source was a spiritual one.
For whatever reason, a prophesy in a religion he did not
follow, a baby supposedly born as a new king – ignited
a fear in Herod which led him to slaughter every male
child in Bethlehem 2 yrs old and younger. I don’t
understand his phobia of this baby. I’m sure there are
some psychologist who could give you a diagnosis of
poor self-esteem and other emotional or mental issues –
but it’s amazing to see the reaction of this king!
When I see his reaction as it’s recorded in the pages of
Scripture, I certainly don’t doubt the accuracy of the
account – because I see the same sort of anger in people
today. Without any reason, when some people hear the
name of ‘Jesus’ – it sets them off! They become filled
with hate and rage. The God of love who loves us so
much He died for us – ignites hate and fear in some.
Their fear is irrational – and possibly rooted in a
spiritual battle within their soul.
2. The truth conflicts with their life – vs. 4-6
What an interesting few verses we have here. In our
lives today, we have seen news headlines that are
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similar to this. We’ve seen people continue telling lies
– even when they’re confronted with the truth or a
statement they made which was contrary to what they
are saying now.
Herod puts together a blue ribbon commission – he
gives them a charge to: “Find out what this talk is all
about – find out if this baby is really the king of the
Jews.”
When the blue ribbon commission reports back to
Herod, he doesn’t submit to it – He creates an evil –
murderous plan to kill the baby! When the truth was
placed on his desk – he ignored it! More than that – he
fought it and tried to deny it!
When God’s truth is placed in front of you – what is
your reaction? Do you submit yourself to it – or do you
fight it and do everything you can to eliminate it?
Sometimes, we fight it because the truth convicts us.
Sometimes, we fight it because we want to keep the
status quo that exists in our life.
Sometimes, we fight the truth because we’re afraid of
what our life will be like if we adopt the truth to our
life.
Jesus said in John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free."
Don’t be angered by the truth – let the truth transform
your life so that you can enjoy true freedom!
3. Their plans go unrealized – vs. 7-12
I don’t know the plans Herod had for his future, but I’m
pretty sure he wanted to be king for the rest of his life.
He saw this little baby in Bethlehem as a threat. He
was used to people obeying his every word – and when
the Magi wisely listened to God’s leading, Herod was
angered even more.
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Some people react to the baby with anger because they
don’t want their life plans to change. They know that
what they are doing – the way they are living is sinful –
it’s against God’s Word – and they will do anything
within their power to defend it! The problem with this
way of viewing the Christ child is that their premise is
wrong! The thought “If I live according to God’s plan,
my life will be ruined” – “If I give up my lifestyle, then
my life will be boring or wasted” is a conclusion based
on false data! Nothing could be further from the truth!
You never lose when you follow God’s plan! God’s
plan is always for your good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love Him, who have been called according
to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Do your plans ignore God, or will you submit your
plans to the sovereign, loving, all-knowing God of the
universe?
Application
A proper reaction to the baby will lead to worship and divine
guidance. Vs. 1-2; 9-12
A defiant reaction to the baby will lead to ruthless sin and
death. Vs. 3-18
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