In the Shadow of Herod “Life & Ministry of the Messiah, Part 2” from “That the World May Know” series.

In the Shadow of Herod

“Life & Ministry of the Messiah, Part 2”from

“That the World May Know” series

Two Brothers

• Esau and Jacob, twins– Father was Isaac, mother was Rebekah– Grandfather was Abraham, grandmother Sarah

• Who descended from Jacob?– Israel

• Who descended from Esau– Edom, Idumea

Two Brothers

• When did the problems start?– In the womb!

• What was the last straw?– Gen 27– Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing

intended for Esau– Leaving Esau with nothing

Two Brothers

• The blessing Esau got Gen 27:39-40– “39…Indeed, your home will be away from the

richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the sky above. 40 You will live by your sword but you will serve your brother. When you grow restless, you will tear off his yoke from your neck.”

• The deceit btwn Jacob and Esau left hard feelings between their descendants for over 1,500 years

Bethlehem

• An insignificant little village• But it did have some interesting history– Near the national capital– The home of Boaz and Ruth– The home of the shepherd boy who became king

• Noted in prophecy

Bethlehem-Prophecy

• Micah 5:2 “As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.”

Bethlehem-Prophecy

• Jeremiah 31 “15 A sound is heard in Ramah, a sound of crying in bitter grief. It is the sound of Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are gone.” 16 The Lord says to her, “Stop crying! Do not shed any more tears! For your heartfelt repentance will be rewarded. Your children will return from the land of the enemy. I, the Lord, affirm it! 17 Indeed, there is hope for your posterity. Your children will return to their own territory. I, the Lord, affirm it!”

Bethlehem

• Compare Bethlehem and Herodian– Based on what was known at Jesus’ birth, which of

these places represented the most power/significance?

– Why?– Who came to honor Jesus at his birth? • Would they have been welcomed in Herod’s court?

– What NT verse might come to mind when you think of Heordian and Bethlehem that shows how God works?

Bethlehem

• I Corinthians 1 “27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, 29 so that no one can boast in his presence.”

Bethlehem

• Compare Herod and Jesus– Their lives– Their deaths– Their accomplishments– Their legacies

Bethlehem

• In Hebrew– Beth = house– Lehem = bread– Beth lehem = house of bread

• In John 6:48 Jesus said “I am the bread of life”• Thus “the bread of life” was born in a bakery

(house of bread)

God’s Plan

• Psalm 33:11 “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”

• God used some very unlikely people to provide a family lineage for Jesus.

God’s Plan

• Discuss why each of the following were unlikely ancestors of Jesus– Tamar (Gen 38)– Rahab (Josh 2 & 6)– Ruth (Ruth 1&4, I Kings 11, II Kings 3– David (I Sam 16)– Bathsheba (II Sam 11&12)

Christ is King

• Others may look like the King, but they are not• God chooses who shall be king– Philippians 2 “9 As a result God exalted him and

gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Christ is King

• God’s chosen king will look like what?– Isaiah 9:2-7– Isaiah 11:1-5– Micah 5:2-5

• Discuss

Christ is King

• God’s chosen king will look like what?– Isaiah 9:2-7 (a light, joy, honor, defeat oppressors,

Prince of Peace, Mighty God,…)– Isaiah 11:1-5 (wise, obey God, judge fairly,…) – Micah 5:2-5 (appear insignificant, shepherd,

safety, peace,…)

Christ is King

• Herod’s power was seen in armies, fortress, blood, fear

• Jesus’ power was seen in…– Matthew 8:23-27– Matthew 10:1– Luke 5:17-26– John 10:25-28

• Discuss

Christ is King

• Jesus’ power was seen in…– Matthew 8:23-27 (stilling the storm, controls

nature)– Matthew 10:1 (cast out demons, controls spirits,

heals the sick)– Luke 5:17-26 (heals the sick, forgives sin)– John 10:25-28 (in the deeds He did in the name of

God, gives eternal life)

Christ is King

• Herod’s legacy was a record of brutality, misuse of power, self-serving; and yes, impressive building projects

• Jesus’ legacy was– Matthew 20:25-28– Hebrews 2:9, 14-15– I John 2:2

• Discuss

Christ is King

• Jesus’ legacy was– Matthew 20:25-28 (service, humility)– Hebrews 2:9, 14-15 (volunteered for a demotion,

volunteered to die)– I John 2:2 (self-sacrifice--became THE Sacrifice for

our, the whole world’s, sins)

Living By the Power of the King

• God wants to use us to accomplish His purpose!

• Are you/we willing?– I Samuel 16:1• Go!

– I Samuel 16:6-7• God is concerned with our hearts, not our skills

Living By the Power of the King

• God wants to use us to accomplish His purpose!

• Does it look impossible?– Genesis 45:4-8• God can work with any situation that develops

(Joseph’s betrayal, slavery, imprisonment were all used to save the family of Jacob)

Living By the Power of the King• Does it look impossible?

– II Samuel 7:8-9• God chose a simple shepherd boy and made him king

– I Corinthians 1:26-29• God tends to use the weak, the cast-offs, the lowly to

accomplish His will– II Corinthians 9:8

• God will give you what you “need”– Hebrews 13:20-21

• The One who raised Jesus, will give you what you “need”

Living By the Power of the King• What scares you? – Prevents you from living for Jesus?

• Do you believe God can use YOU?– Deaf– Poor– Female– Too old– Too young– Don’t know enough

Living By the Power of the King