Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities[c] of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

[Numbers 24:17]

A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.

[Matthew 2:2]
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” The Jews were waiting for a really impressive king. They wanted someone to deliver then from the oppression of the surrounding countries and rulers. Does this sound familiar?

[1 Samuel 8:4-8]

4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” 6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods.

1. Jesus the preeminent King.

[Matthew 26:53]

53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

[2 Kings 19:35]

That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.

2. Jesus the humble as King.

3. Jesus the eternal King

There are 3 responses to Jesus as King:

• Some Will Oppose Jesus as King
• Some Will Dismiss Jesus as King
• Some Will Worship Jesus as King

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the
only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C.S. Lewis

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?