A Crook and a Crown
Matthew 2:1-8 (9-12) - Victory Fellowship
January 7, 2023 – Rev. Roderick Grabski
Epiphany / Baptism of our Lord
I. Introduction:
a. What do you get when you cross a crook with a crown?
i. It depends on how you define “crook.”
b. Jesus’ arrival was Good News to some
i. He was adored and worshiped
c. Jesus the King was not Good News to everyone
II. (Relate the Situation in Matthew 2)
a. The rest of the story
9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
b. Herod was a Crook and a Tyrant .
i. Herod was right about Jesus
III. Jesus is the King of Kings and He represents the Good Shepherd’s crook.
a. Jesus is a Person of INTEGRITY
b. Jesus is not swayed by PUBLIC OPINION
i. Arguably the worst thing to happen to modern politics is the opinion poll and politicians who live by them. A majority opinion is not always the correct one.
ii. Jesus is “no respecter of persons” (explain)
c. Jesus teaches the way of GOD in TRUTH
i. John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
If we make New Year’s resolutions without consulting God, we are doomed to failure.
IV. Conclusion:
a. This is the day that the LORD has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
b. If God made this day (everyday) then it seems to me that God owns the day and we ought to render to God what is His. Each of our days is a gift from God.
c. What if we resolved this year to give every day to God, and to do what He leads us to do each day?
i. Not the government - Not our employer
ii. Not our wives, husbands, or significant others
d. What if we, like Jesus, resolved that every day this year we will be persons of integrity. We will not be swayed away from our Christian faith by public opinion. And we will seek to know and love the way of God in truth?
i. If we do that, we will be better citizens, better employees, and better companions to our loved ones. We will be giving all to Jesus.
PRAYER
SONG: Always Only Jesus
Matthew 2:1-8 (NAS95) 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'" 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
