Worship the Shepherd King Jesus

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Worship the Shepherd King Jesus

Date: Dec. 25, 2016

Passage

Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6   “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
  for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:6b

  “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
  for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

First, a ruler, shepherd (1-8). Jesus, the Savior King was born in Bethlehem in Judea as God had promised. No one realized except the truth seekers, the Magi of the east. They searched day and night, saw his star (Num 24:17), left everything behind and came to Jerusalem to worship him. But King Herod was greatly disturbed. He summoned Bible scholars to find the place (Micah 5:2) and the time pretending to go and worship him but actually to kill him secretly. But the newborn King of the Jews came not to kill but to die as a good shepherd for his people. He is the true king to be searched to worship.

Second, Magi worshiped the baby Jesus (9-12). The Magi overjoyed to see the star again! They followed the starlight as GPS and found the little baby in a manger. They worshipped him offering the gifts of gold to eternal King, the frankincense for his high priesthood, and the myrrh for the dying Messiah who will be raised to live eternally. They returned experiencing great joy after offering everything to the Lord. They outwitted Herod's evil scheme by taking another route.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending the shepherd King Jesus. Let me purely worship Jesus as one of today's wise men.

One Word: Jesus, my good shepherd king, I worship you!

The Lord Sends Jacob Back to the Land

Genesis 31:1-30

Key Verse: 31:3

Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Today's Question

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

See answer and references