ONE PERSON MATTERS TO GOD Matthew 2:1-18

BETHLEHEM – BRIEF OVERVIEW AD. 2 nd Jewish revolt against Romans - Bar Kokba Revolt; Jews killed or expelled from city. Syria-Judah merge – Syria Palestina , Emp. Constantine, Church of the Nativity 3.614, Persian destruction; Magi in Persian robes on mosaic saved church from destruction , Muslim jihads (Saladin (1187), Mamluks, Ottomans); 1099 – 1187, Crusader control;

BETHLEHEM – BRIEF OVERVIEW (CONT) , British (WW1), ; 1920 – 1948, “Mandate”(oil in Arabia1930’s) , United Nations partition of Palestine, Arab and Jewish parts; 1948, Jordan, Arab- Israeli war; , 6 Day War, Jews regain possession; 1995, Oslo Peace Accord, Palestinian Natl Authority; West Bank City with barriers.

Jerusalem Bethlehem, 60% Muslim; 25,000 people

PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, 12/24/2013: “Palestine, the Holy Land, extends its warmest seasonal greetings to the …world on the holy occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ, peace be unto him. In Bethlehem, 2000 years ago, Jesus was born; a Palestinian messenger who would become a guiding light to millions…As we Palestinians strive for freedom,… we do our best to follow His example…

ISRAEL’S RESPONSE ON 12/25/2013; “He should have read the Gospel before uttering such offensive nonsense, but we will forgive him because he doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told The Times of Israel on Monday. Abbas’s statement is an “outrageous rewriting of Christian history.”

Iraq (Babylon) From the “North” Ezekiel 1:4

1.WHY SEND THE MAGI TO HEROD? Herod 70 years old. Died, April, 4 BC; Christ’s birth year was 6 BC (2 years at death). Augustus Caesar quoted as saying: “I would rather be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son!”

HISTORIAN JOSEPHUS REPORTED: When Herod was close to death he commanded that all the principal heads of significant families in Judea come to Jerusalem. Failure to do so was punishable by death. Then he locked them all up. He commanded his sister that upon his death, they were all to be killed – so that all Judea would be in mourning – even though not mourning for him! At his death, his sister released them all.

WHY SEND MAGI TO A MURDEROUS, PARANOID KING? His beloved wife, Mariamne I (accused of adultery with Joseph); 29 BC Joseph, his uncle Alexandra, Mariamne’s mother His brother-in-law, Aristobulus IV (whom Herod had appointed High Priest); 7 BC Antipater II (4 BC), Alexander (7 BC), sons

IF HEROD HAD SAID “YES” TO GOD WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED? Other Herodians in Scripture: Agrippa 1, Acts 12:2 (James martyred); Agrippa 2, Acts 26:28 (almost persuaded); Antipas, Mark 6:24 (John Baptist beheaded); Antipas, Christ’s humiliation, Luke 23:11 Bethlehem babies.

WHY SEND MAGI FROM PERSIA? WHY NOT ANGEL MICHAEL WITH SWORD? Magi from the east are sent to Jerusalem. Men of importance, wealth; learning, intellect, counselors to kings -- but not kings; from a distant nation (never conquered by Rome) Not Gabriel. Not Michael, the fighting angel. Magi were never threatened by Herod. Magi never appear to be afraid of Herod.

WHY DID GOD SEND THE MAGI TO HEROD, A PARANOID KING? 1.God desires all to be saved, including Herod. 1 Tim 2:4. Herod is just like all of us before Christ: 1.Born in darkness; John 12: Under satan’s dominion. Col 1: Under judgment for our sins. Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; cross reveals God hates sin.

GOD PERSISTED FOR HEROD. V 13, “wake up,” hurry. Joseph haste. V 14. Why wait to the last minute? God waiting for Herod. Under satan’s dominion. Compare Joseph.

WHY SHOULD WE BECOME GODS MESSENGERS? One person matters to God. Romans 10: Corinthians 5:18-20 Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19-20