Three Responses to the Messiah

Matthew’s account introduces us to three groups/kinds of people, each with different responses to the news of the arrival of the Messiah. We already talked about the Star-haters and the Star –gazers. Let’s examine the final group…

#3 Star-Chasers

The third group is represented by the wise men.

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, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matt. 2:1-2)

The religious leaders were aptly described by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:7. They were “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The wise men, on the other hand, set out to find Christ as soon as they saw the star! They weren’t merely star gazers, they were star chasers.

They were truth seekers. They persevered in their pursuit of Christ.

They traveled a far distance over treacherous terrain and the threat of attack and bodily harm. This long journey was unsafe and inconvenient. Yet they spared no expense in their pursuit of Jesus!

To make matters worse, when they finally arrived nobody could tell them where to find Jesus, including the King and the religious leaders.

But this didn’t stop them. They pursued until they reached the object of their affection.

These wise men would not be denied. They pursued until they possessed the object of their desire. They chased the star to find the treasure!

Let’s be star chasers this Christmas season! Press through all the trappings and distractions of the holiday hurry and discover Christ in a fresh way!

Three Responses to the Messiah

Matthew’s account introduces us to three groups/kinds of people, each with different responses to the news of the arrival of the Messiah.

#2 Star-Gazers

The second group is represented by the religious folks, namely the chief priests and the scribes.

Look again at Matthew 2:4.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Here we see the response of the religious professionals. They gather for the briefing with Herod.

That’s it.

End of the story.

For them, it’s back to business as usual. Except for the fact that Jesus is their business!

The coming of the Messiah is what every Jew longed for. The Messiah was the long awaited, God-anointed King, who would overcome all the corrupt, tyrannical governments of this world to establish His own Kingdom, founded upon righteousness, truth and mercy. This King and His kingdom would never end!

Now the time has come and the Messiah is reported to have come to Bethlehem, right in their backyard, and they are completely disinterested.

The greatest event in the history of the world comes to their town and they are totally disengaged. Yawn. Is it time to go back to the Temple yet????

The apathy of the religious leaders is especially stunning given the atmosphere of the city. Look at verse 3:

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
The whole city is in an uproar. Everyone is talking about the possibility of the Messiah’s arrival to planet earth and to Bethlehem. Everyone, that is, with the exception of those who are tasked as the treasure keepers! The one’s in charge of proclaiming the prophetic promises and pointing people to His coming are AWOL!

They are merely star gazers! They have no interest in following the star for themselves. They are like Christians who love to attend Bible studies but who have no desire to relate personally with the One the Book is all about. They love the idea of Christ, and the stories about Him but they have no desire to engage with the real Person. He’s much too scary and unpredictable in real life. He’s safer and more manageable when kept within the confines of a Book.

As a result of their spiritual pride and blindness, they missed the Messiah.

Do you like the warm, fuzzy feelings of the Christmas season more than the stark, courageous call to be a follower of the Man, Christ Jesus? Are you content with the idea of Jesus, or would you take the challenge to know Him in a personal way?

Three Responses to the Messiah

Matthew’s account introduces us to three groups of people, each with different responses to the news of the arrival of the Messiah.

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Matthew 2:3-4

#1 Star-Haters

The first group is represented by those who find Jesus threatening to their own personal kingdoms.

Herod embodies this fear. Jesus’ arrival will mean the end of business as usual. Jesus represents radical change. He means death to the status quo. Many people refuse to recognize Christ because that means they will have to give up control. Jesus claims to be King. The kingdom of “self” must give way.

Herod’s response is both wicked and demonic. He will do whatever it takes, including the mass slaughter of little boys, to secure his pathetic power base.

Herod is the ultimate politician. He wants no rival in his bid to retain office. He will lie, cheat, steal and even resort to murder to make sure his office is secured.

This is why any politician who is not ultimately submitted to the lordship of Christ is DANGEROUS. If a man or woman will not honor the Creator by living for His pleasure and glory, then to whom will he/she be submitted? A person with no fear of God is a frightful individual. They are ultimately going to defend their own agenda and their own political self-preservation.

How about you? Is the arrival of Jesus as Savior and King good news for you? Have you recognized Him as your personal King or are you rebelliously clinging to your own treasonous rule. Christmas is a perfect time of the year to joyfully submit to the reign of Jesus.