Reactions to the Birth of Jesus

Scott Risley

Matthew 2:1-23

How do you respond to the King? Matthew gives us three different reactions to the birth of Jesus. King Herod felt threatened and ordered the murder of all infant boys in Bethlehem. Herod's scribes were preoccupied and apathetic, giving Herod the information needed to track down and murder the recently born King of the Jews that the Magi were searching for. The Magi went to great lengths to find and bring costly gifts to the newborn King.

Reactions to Jesus' Birth

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 2:1-23

After Jesus' birth, there are three different types of responses towards what God has done. The first comes from King Herod, who was very cynical and, determined to keep his power, tried to destroy Jesus. The scribes and priests were very apathetic to Jesus' birth. Lastly, the wise men were spiritually interested and wanted to know about Jesus. The attitude of the wise man is the reaction God desires from all people, so they can find the truth and place their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Parallels between Pharoah during Moses' time and Herod when Jesus was born are also explored.

The King Is Born

Scott Risley

Isaiah 12:6

Did the virgin birth actually happen? And why is it important? Not only is Jesus' birth unique but it fulfills predictions made hundreds of years before. A word study of alma and parthenos is included along with a comparison with other religions.

God's Intrusion into Human History

Dennis McCallum

Philippians 2:4-8

Jesus' birth was a miraculous event that God orchestrated by having him conceived through the virgin Mary. Mary's attitude towards God's plan is one of willingness and personal trust. Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus' entrance into the world as God incarnate begins with him in a manger, essentially a feeding trough where he is rejected and excluded. This would be the first instance of many as Jesus' life was a portrayal of humanity's rejection of God. Despite all the suffering, rejection and pain, Jesus' birth signifies God's desire to have people come to know Him personally through the cross.

The Genealogy of Jesus

Scott Risley

Zechariah 12:10-12

Why does Jesus' genealogy matter? The Messiah had to come from a certain family line according to prophecy. Not only was Jesus descended from Abraham but also through David's family line. He could not be descended from Jeconiah. Several woman are also included in this genealogy including Tamar, Rahab and Ruth.

Jesus: Authenticated and Unique

Dennis McCallum

Luke 3:23-38

The gospel of Matthew, written by Matthew the tax collector, begins by examining the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Abraham, the genealogies mentioned go through Abraham's descendants to the tribe of Judah, leading to the line of David. The genealogies seem to not line up with Jesus coming from David because of the line of Jeconiah, but after careful examination, it's clear that Jesus came from the line of Heli, Mary's father. An understanding of Jewish law denotes that Jesus would inherit what came from his adoptive father, Joseph, thus settling the apparent contradiction in genealogies. Through the genealogies, we see Jesus as a predicted son of Abraham, Jacob, David and even adopted into the inheritance, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies concerning him. This genealogy points out God's control and sovereignty over human history to enact His marvelous plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Seventy Sevens Prophecy

Jim Leffel

Daniel 9:24-27

The main theme of Daniel's prophecies is that God is not aloof, but is aware and at work in human history. In the seventy sevens prophecy, God declares the year that Jesus will die hundreds of years in advance. God has given objective evidence in history where He has laid out His plan and purpose. Each person then has a decision to make concerning their personal belief in Jesus.

The Flow of History (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Revelation 5:5-9

Many of Daniel's prophecies refer to God's kingdom, promised to the throne of David to be a blessing to all the nations. The ruler of this kingdom is called the "Son of Man," said to be more than an ordinary man, a king and priest who is paradoxically killed. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies and, as Daniel said, he will return to rule. God has etched His purpose and character into history so that we might respond to His call to the freedom of His kingdom.

Jesus Reveals His Glory

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 9:28-38

At the transfiguration Jesus is physically changed, Moses and Elijah appear, and God's glory fills the mountain. This happened to show that he is the Messiah though he must be killed, that he is fulfilling God's redemptive plan, and that Jesus is God's son with a mission from Him. Several lessons may be learned from this event: 1) Jesus is God's unique savior; 2) listen to all that Jesus says, not just the parts we like; and 3) don't try to preserve special spiritual experiences instead of serving.