1. The King of Kings
The King is Born

2. Introduction
Shepherd-king
Another image in Isaiah 40

3. Isaiah 40
Comfort, comfort my people,     says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,     and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed,     that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand     double for all her sins.

4. 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,     and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him,     and his recompense accompanies him.

5. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:     He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;     he gently leads those that have young.

6. God carries his reward in his arms – you are the lamp in his arms – you are God’s reward.

9. The King of kings is the shepherd- king.

10. Luke 2
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

11. Roman reading
Jewish reading

12. Responses to Roman rule:
Zealots  No! (patriotic objections)
Pharisees  No? (religious objections)
Sadducees  Yes? (personal gain)
Herodians  Yes! (personal gain)
Essenes  What? (indifference)

13. Aside: Why understand politics?
Wrong understanding  ISIS
Right understanding  Blessing

14. How can you see God as your Shepherd-King when wicked kings rule over you?

15. Compare Mary and Joseph to Judas of Galilee

16. Words of Gamaliel:
Acts 5 37 … Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He … was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

17. The Point!
Kings move at the behest of God

18. The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. (Proverbs 21:1).

19. What reason for hope when kings move at the behest of God!

22. What reason for hope when Jesus becomes the king of your life!

23. Mary’s journey km

24. Isa 40 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:     He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;     he gently leads those that have young.

25. No Inn, No Problem
Our response to privation?

26. Luke 2 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

27. Luke 2 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The faithful still treasure Jesus and ponder him in their heart.

28. Shepherds
Luke 2 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 
Humble people still find him.

29. Luke 2 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Those who find Jesus still rejoice over him

30. Augustus
The powerful still ignore him.

31. King Herod
The proud still oppose him.

32. Magi
Wise men still seek him.
Great men still worship him.

33. Ever since the King of kings took you in his arms …

34. Who is the king of your life?

35. The Good Shepherd-King. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd
The Good Shepherd-King. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”

36. The Great King of kings. All kings move at his behest.

37. What hope when kings move at his behest!
What hope when the King of kings is your shepherd-king!