Matthew 2:1-12

Bow to Jesus

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Welcome to God's Word for You a ministry of Sharon RP Church in southeast Iowa. We want to thank you for listening today, and we pray that you'll be blessed by both hearing God's Word as well as having it applied to your life and your heart. 

Please turn in your Bibles with me to Matthew chapter two. Matthew chapter 2, and we're going to be looking at verses 1 through 12 this morning. Matthew 2 begins on page 849 of your Pew Bibles. But I'll give this to you as a little warning, we're going to be doing a lot of walking through the Bible with you, so please don't close up your Bible when we're done, because we're gonna be going through quite a bit of the New Testament today. Matthew chapter two, beginning at verse one. This is God's Word from the New Covenant. 

“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.”

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

“So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for it is written by the prophet:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

“Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring word back to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

“When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”

The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God endures forever. 

Well, when I was in college, I worked in a carpet cleaning company. And it was a great opportunity because for me, I got stuck in a truck with one guy, driving for hours and hours a day, and you talk about everything. But the guy I worked with had a phrase that he would often say, saying, “You know, Jesus was a great teacher.” Or he would say, “You know, I have no problem with Jesus. He was a good guy and did a lot of good for people.” And he would kind of talk about Jesus that way. “You know, I don't think He's God and I don't think He's Lord, but He was a pretty good guy. He was pretty swell.” I just remember thinking, “Dude, you have no clue what the Bible teaches about Jesus, do you?” 

And here in Matthew, chapter two, we see that it's not just that Jesus is somehow a good teacher, or somehow He’s just all right, or somehow He did a lot of good for the world. But here in Matthew two we find out that Jesus is the King of the Universe. But so often at this time of the year in our culture, you can turn on the claymation movies and stuff like that, and you get cute little pictures of Jesus and of the nativity story and how wonderful this was. But often they miss the very heart of what the nativity story is about, what Jesus coming in the flesh was about. And that the King has arrived.

This morning, I come before you and tell you the King has arrived. Bow down to Him. The King has arrived. Are you bowing down to Him? First, look with me at the story itself. The wisemen bowed down to Jesus. This idea of the wisemen bowing down, look with me at verse two. Matthew 2:2 ““Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to,”” and the translation here says ““worship Him.”” And then in verse eight, “And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring word back to me, that I may come and worship Him.”” 

And then in verse 11, “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with His mother, Mary, and fell down and worshiped Him.” This word that in the New King James version is translated, “worshipped Him” is better translated, “and they got down on their knees and they bowed to Him.” They bowed to Him. The wise men in the East bowed down to Him. 

There's two words in the Greek for when you talk about worshiping. When you look at the Old Testament, the Greek translation of the Old Testament there's two words. One is latreuo. This is what the Levites and the Priest would do. They would serve in the temple. And then there's a different word for worship, Proskuneo. Bowing down. Getting down on your knees and recognizing that someone is greater than you are. Getting down on your face and realizing that there is someone who is far more important than you are. And that's what the magi, that's what the wisemen do here. They get on their faces and they bow down to Jesus. 

And this is not something, it's not like this is something new in the Ancient Near East. If you went to a king in the Ancient Near East, all of us know when you go before a king, what would you do? You would bow down before the king. Well, in Jesus's time in the Ancient Near East, kings were seen as either divine or semi-divine. They were seen as these are people who are gods. The gods have blessed them, or they themselves are somehow gods, and you would bow down to them. But here it's Jesus they bow down to. 

This is not too uncommon, especially when we look even in Europe's history. I want to read to you just a second of what one of the commentators at Queen Elizabeth, the reigning monarch now, what one of the commentators at her coronation, said about her. “This is a tradition so ancient history can barely contain it. The hollowing, the sacred, the spirit cleanse, the queen anointed, blessed, and consecrated.” See, the commentator was speaking about the queen and the waters get a little bit blurry where the line is between, she's divinely appointed, but she's not divine, but yet she's consecrated, but yet she's not herself god herself. How does this work? It's like she's God's representative here. But if you go back in history, that line becomes blurrier and blurrier and blurrier. 

But here, Matthew has already said in chapter one, that one of Jesus's names is “Immanuel, God with us.” This is God the wisemen come to bow down to. This is the King they come to show service to. And this is no surprise. Again, like I said, you're gonna wanna have your Bibles and be flipping back and forth. We're gonna be covering a lot of ground. But in Second Samuel, chapter seven, God gives a promise to David. Second Samuel chapter seven verses 12 and 16. God promises to David the King, ““When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.”” And then in verse 16, “And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”” 

And here we find Jesus, who Matthew has, in the first chapter, gone through great lengths to show that Jesus is the son of David. Matthew is getting straight to the point here at the beginning of his gospel, saying, “It's Jesus who is the inheritor of the promised covenant to David. It is Jesus who is the king. And these magi know it. The magi are important men. 

The wiseman from the East come and they bear expensive gifts meant for royalty. They come from the East and they head towards Jerusalem. And when they come into Jerusalem, they do something that's absolutely crazy. Maybe you've missed this point in the story before, the magi come into the throne room of the king of Israel, Herod, and they say, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Let that marinate for a second. The magi come into the reigning king's throne room and they say, “You're not the king. Where's the real king? We've come to bow to Him. We've come to worship Him. Where is that guy?” 

I don't know if you know much about Herod, but Herod was a despicable person. Herod was given the title “King of the Jews” by Caesar himself, by killing thousands and thousands of Jews who were fighting against the Caesar. The Caesar once said of Herod, “It would be better to be Herod's pig than his son.” Because, see, Herod was a paranoid ruler. When Herod was worried that one of his wives and his sons were trying to usurp his power, he just threw them off the wall in Jerusalem and killed them. Herod would stop at nothing to make sure that he stayed the king. And yet the wise men come into Jerusalem, walk into the king's own chambers, and say, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Herod was a paranoid man. We know what his real intention was when we read what happens in verses 16 through 18 when he kills all the children trying to destroy this Messiah, to destroy this Christ, to destroy this king who might usurp him as the King of the Jews. 

But the wise men go, they go to Bethlehem. And when they go to Bethlehem, the star reappears. They come to that house where Jesus is with His mother, Mary. And these grown men, grown men, you have to imagine, again, these are rich ambassadors coming with wealth. These are men who somehow have the clout that they're able to get entrance into the king's chambers. They're able to go into the court of the king and leave unscathed. And they come before a little child. A child no more than two years old. There are some of those children in the room today, and grown men physically kneel down on their knees and bow to someone who's greater than they are. The wisemen get it. That somehow this Child, the stars in heaven bear witness that this child is the King of the Universe and their response to Him is to bow down and to give Him gifts that you would give to royalty: gold, frankincense and myrrh. They bow down to Him and they treat Him as the King. 

And this isn't the only time Jesus has been bowed down to. We're going to do some flipping here throughout Matthew because I want you to see that constantly, this is your second point, people are constantly bowing to Jesus. People are constantly bowing to Jesus. Look with me at Matthew chapter eight verses one through four. Matthew, chapter eight verses one through four. This is about a leper. “When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and bowed down to Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched Him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gifts that Moses has commanded, as a testimony to them.”” The leper comes to Jesus, and he knows that somehow Jesus isn't like the rest of the prophets. He knows that somehow Jesus isn’t like the rest of the priests. He knows that Jesus isn't like any other human he's ever met in his entire life. And what does he do? He comes to Jesus, this leper, and he bows down and he asked Jesus to heal him. And the King does it. 

Flip over a page to Matthew chapter nine, verse 18 where we find another man. Matthew, chapter nine, verse 18. “While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him.” “While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and bowed down to Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hands on her and she will live.”” This ruler of the synagogue comes to Jesus. And what does he do? What does it say there in verse 18? And he bowed down to Him. This man comes to Jesus and he asked Him to do something that no other human being could possibly ever do. His daughter is dead. Dead as a door nail. D-E-D, not breathing, dead. He comes to Jesus and he bows down to Him because he knows that somehow this One can raise his daughter from the dead. And Jesus does it. Jesus is the King who can do it. 

Turn over a few pages with me to Matthew chapter. 14 Matthew chapter 14 verse 33. We find it again. Jesus has just walked over the water. Matthew chapter 14 verse 33. After they realize who Jesus was that He's able to walk on waters, He's able to suspend the rules of the universe, “Then those who were in the boat,” those people are the disciples, “Then those who were in the boat came and bowed down to Him, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God.”” Jesus has just shown them something that no other human being in the history of their lives has ever done. He walks through the water, He walks on the surface of the water and He gets in the boat. And what did they realize? This Person's not like us. And what's their natural response? They get down on their faces and they bow down to Him? They worship Him. 

Matthew chapter 15:24-25 it happens again. The woman from Tyre and Sidon says, ““Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and bowed down to Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”” Her daughter is demon-possessed. No one could get this daughter well. And what does she do? She comes to Jesus Christ. She gets down on her knees and she cries out to Him. She bows to Jesus. Because He somehow is greater than anyone else she’s ever approached. And Jesus does it. And Jesus does it.

Once again, turn over in Matthew chapter 27 and it happens again. Matthew chapter 27 verse 54. “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”” These men, these centurions who just watched Jesus die, before had mocked Him. Before, at Jesus’s crucifixion, do you remember the story of what happened to our Lord? These same centurions scourged Him, put on a purple robe around His shoulders, a purple robe is a robe of royalty. And then what did they do? They took a crown, a crown to mock Him, made out of thorns, and they pushed it into His head, piercing His flesh. And they got down on one knee and they bowed to Him. And they mocked our Lord. And they said, “Hail King of the Jews.” And then Pilot mocking Jesus. What does he do? He puts above His name His actual title that the magi came to find out. And on top of Jesus’s head was a sign that said, “King of the Jews.” 

Do you see it? The people come, the magi come, they're bowing to Jesus. The woman from Tyre and Sidon comes and she bows to Jesus. The ruler comes; he bows to Jesus. The centurion comes; he bows to Jesus. The disciples come and they bow to Jesus. But this was not something that only happened during his normal life. After His death in Matthew chapter 28 verse nine, when He was resurrected. Matthew 28 verse nine, “And when they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” Or, it should be read, “So they came and held Him by the feet and bowed down to Him.” The women, when they see Jesus, are overwhelmed with joy. The Mary’s fall on their faces, they clasp our risen Lord's feet and they bow down to Him. 

This is not something that good Jews were allowed to do to anyone. They were not allowed to do this. Acts chapter 10, turn over there with me. Acts chapter 10. This is where Peter is before Cornelius. Acts Chapter 10, and this is what we find out there. Acts 10:25, “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and bowed to him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”” You were not allowed to bow to a man. And in Revelation when the Apostle John sees the angel, he bows down and the angel says, “You shall not do that. Don't do that. Worship God only. Bow down to Him only.” It's only God who is allowed to be bowed down to, but all of His life, we find Jesus being bowed down to. Jesus is bowed down to again and again and again. And He accepts that worship. He accepts that reverence. 

But it's not just men. It is not just men who bow down to Jesus. Hebrews chapter one is clear about this. Hebrews chapter one, turn there with me. Page 1062. Hebrews 1:4-13, “Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God bow down to Him.” And the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: “You, O Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain forever; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not end.” But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?”

God the Father has established the throne of the Son and the angels in heaven bow down to Jesus. It is not just men who bow to Jesus, but all the angels in heaven bow down to Him. And His throne is established. And He has a name that will endure forever. Jesus Christ has earned this name. 

We've been studying week by week, through Philippians. And in Philippians chapter two, verses six through 11, we find Jesus Christ , “Who, though being in the very form of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself and took on the likeness of man.” And He lived a perfect life. And He died a perfect death. And because of His deeds, God has given Him a name above every name. That at His name, every knee shall bow. Do you see it? 

Why did Jesus have to come? Because He came as the king. We often think of Jesus Christ as like His first name and last name. But Christ is a translation of that Old Testament word “Messiah”, anointed one. Jesus Christ is the anointed King. Jesus Christ is the one in the order of David to whom the angels bow. Are you bowing to Jesus Christ? 

But even now, turn over in Revelation, chapter five. Revelation chapter five. Our last point, Jesus is the worthy King. Revelation chapter five, beginning at verse eight, “Now when He,” that's Jesus, “Now, when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it seals; for You were slain, and You have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the 24 elders fell down and bowed to Him, who lives forever and ever.” 

In heaven, Jesus Christ, right now, is bowed down to. He is the worthy King. He is the one whom the myriads and myriads of angels bow down to. The wise men bowed down to Jesus. Mary, His mother, and Mary bowed down to Jesus. The leper bowed down to Jesus. A woman of Tyre and Sidon bowed down to Jesus. The disciples bowed down to Jesus. A synagogue leader bowed down to Jesus. The Centurion bowed down to Jesus. The angels are bowing down to Jesus. 

Are you? Are you? Is this your heart? Is Jesus Christ magnified in your eyes? Is He so grand, is He so royal, is He so majestic that you would get down on your knees and confess Him as King. It's amazing, the King of the Universe, the one who set the stars in their place, the one who lives forever and ever, who dwells in resplendent glory, knows you. The one who dwells in unapproachable lights knows your name and desires to have you bow down to Him? He's poured out His blood that you can do so. He's paid every price that you can do so. Will you bow down to Jesus? Will you do as the magi, as the wise men did, as Christians, for thousands and thousands of years have joyfully done? And that we will do in heaven forever with the angels bowing down to the Lamb who was slain who sits upon the throne. Bow down to Him. Bow down to Jesus Christ. 

“Oh God, we thank you. Lord, we thank you for what grace you've shown us. We thank you, Lord, that you have sent your own Son into the world that You might save many. Lord, we thank you for inviting us and calling us to bow down at Your feet. Father, we pray that Your Spirit would allow us to do this. Lord draw us near to you. Thank you for the good news that the King has come. Thank you for our joy, Jesus Himself. It's in His name we pray, amen. 

Thank you for listening to God's Word for You, a ministry of Sharon RP Church in Morning Sun, Iowa. We pray that you would be blessed as you grow in your love for God, your love for His Word, as well as your love for His people. Until next week, God bless you.