The coming of God's Kingdom at the first Advent, as humble and unassuming the circumstances may have been and as easily as it slipped by many of those who should have been alert for it, was not an event that went unnoticed. As Matthew unfolds the story, we find dignitaries from the east arriving with gifts to honor the birth of the new King, as well as the response of a much older king who was only too aware of what it might mean to have a rival to the throne recognized. And so it begins. The clashing of two kingdoms with very different kinds of rule and very different agendas.
To hear Pastor Chris' sermon once again, click here.
For a little more background on Herod and his story, click here.
For an interesting article on the contrast between Rome's idea of empire and the kind of Kingdom Jesus came to establish, click here.
Contrasting the Kingdoms
As you reflect on the methods and objectives of Herod's kingdom and the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed, clear contrasts begin to emerge. Take a few moments to think about the contrasting qualities of these two kinds of rule:
Jesus' Rule vrs Herod (Rome's) Rule
(See Matt 5-7 vrs Matt 3 for starters)
What other contrasts do you find as you compare these two clashing kingdoms?
Matthew 2:1-11 (TNIV)
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6 " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.' "
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
For an article on the Magi and who they were, click here.