By Ms. Candace Whitman, Seminary Intern
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Theme
We read in the gospel this morning about the encounter of the wise men with Herod the Great in Jerusalem. Matthew uses this event to point out the clash that is taking place between worldly kingdoms and the divine kingdom that Christmas portends. Herod and “all Jerusalem” are threatened by Christ’s birth, and the corrupt king does everything he can to preserve his own power. Ironically, the gentile wise men gladly leave their home to worship the King of the Jews.
Verse 2 helps us understand the nature of the threat. As the wise men enter Jerusalem, we learn it is not a superstition, but an objective fact that the Messiah is born, for the magi received the news through a change in the stars which was also foretold in the scriptures. When they intend to worship the new king and not Herod, they show not only that Christ’s authority supersedes all other authority, but that worship is the only right response to Christ’s coming.
To the wise men, Christmas is not a threat, but a promise fulfilled.
