Matthew 2,1 12-2016

Matthew 2:1–12 Matthew 2:1–12

Where is your heart directed this Christmas?

Where is your heart directed this Christmas?

When we direct our hearts towards Christ, we experience pleasure in

worshiping the one who is our treasure.

Matthew 2Matthew 21 Now after Jesus was born in 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,arrived in Jerusalem, saying,2 “Where is He who has been born King 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”east and have come to worship Him.”

Genesis 1:15 Then God said, "Let there be Genesis 1:15 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for them be for signs and for seasons and for days and yearsdays and years

Numbers 24:17 A star shall come forth from Numbers 24:17 A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

Matthew 2Matthew 23 When Herod the king heard this, he was 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 Gathering together all the chief priests and 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.where the Messiah was to be born.5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the for this is what has been written by the prophet:prophet:

6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULERFOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star determined from them the exact time the star appeared.appeared.8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”come and worship Him.”

Micah 5: 2–5 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel.And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace.

Matthew 2Matthew 29 After hearing the king, they went their 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where came and stood over the place where the Child was.the Child was.10 When they saw the star, they 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matthew 2Matthew 211 After coming into the house they saw the 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 And having been warned by God in a 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.for their own country by another way.

The Worshipers Gave the The Worshipers Gave the Perfect GiftsPerfect Gifts

They Gave Gold to the KingThey Gave Gold to the KingYou are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

They Gave Frankincense to GodThey Gave Frankincense to God

Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed.” John 20:28,29see, and [yet] believed.” John 20:28,29

They Gave Myrrh to the SaviorThey Gave Myrrh to the Savior

Nicodemus, who had first come to Him Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds [weight]. So they took the body pounds [weight]. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 19:39,40of the Jews. John 19:39,40

Perfect GiftsPerfect GiftsGold – for our KingGold – for our KingFrankincense – for our Divine High PriestFrankincense – for our Divine High PriestMyrrh – for our Sacrificial SaviorMyrrh – for our Sacrificial Savior

We will find exceeding joy when we We will find exceeding joy when we offer worship to the offer worship to the LordLord JesusJesus ChristChrist

Where is your heart directed this Christmas?

When we direct our hearts towards Christ, we experience pleasure in

worshiping the one who is our treasure.