King of Kings Matthew 2:1-12

King of Kings Matthew 2:1-12

The word used to describe the wise men is Magi, from which we get our English word Magician. As the Christmas story wondered away from what the Bible says, they are assumed to be Kings. Because they bring three mentioned gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, it is assumed that their must be three of them. Matthew says nothing about how many came to find Jesus.

The wise men were Astrologers, they read and sought meaning from the stars. They have traveled a long way to honor the birth of the King, which would require a large group of people with them. When they start asking questions people start getting upset. Herod is well known for killing his rivals, as well as innocent bystanders.

They ask “where is he who has been born King of the Jews” they seemed to expect everyone to know. Perhaps they thought Herod had a newborn son.

The star leads them to a specific house. A change in the star takes them from a general area to the exact spot. Through the years many scientific ideas have been put forth to explain what they saw. Some suggest a supper nova, others a conjunction of stars. None can account for the star leading them to a specific house.

The ironic thing is that the King, Herod, the Chief Priest, and the scribes, all fail to realize the Messiah has been born while the gentile magicians do. It is these Magi from Persia who lead the Chief Priest and Scribes to a 700 year old prophecy from Micah 5:2 which tells them Bethlehem is where the child is.

Now I come to the question I have to ask us. Is Jesus really our King, or are we still as much in the dark as the leaders of Israel were?

Submission, do we recognize and submit to Jesus as our king? In our lives do we seek to follow the commands of Jesus? Do we seek and support the agenda Jesus has for our lives, for the church, and for the world?

Confession, do we publicly proclaim Jesus to be our King? NRA bumper sticker, Obama, Trump. Do we confess that Jesus is our king, both in words and actions?

Respect, do we show respect to Jesus as our king. In the presence of the King one is to bow. This is to show both subservience and respect. Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth. The wise men they fell down and worshiped Him. How do we show our respect to Jesus, do we worship Him? When we come to church is it about letting Jesus be honored by our presence, or are we honored to be in His presence? Attendance at Worship is a sign of respect to God, a lack of attendance is a sign of disrespect toward God.

Gifts, the wise men brought gifts to honor the King. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. What have we given Jesus? Our time? Our treasure? Will we honor a waitress with a tip that is more than we have given to God? Will we give our family members more for Christmas than we give to God?

I put these questions to myself as well as to you, not for the spreading of guilt, but as an evaluation. Questions to seriously reflect on so that our lives will truly reflect what we believe. The Bible says that every knee in heaven and on earth will bow to the name of Jesus.

Is Jesus Your King? Is Jesus My King? Is Jesus Our King? Is there something in our lives that needs to change? Perhaps you have never confessed Jesus as King, never asked Him for forgiveness….