Christmas with The Ridge // He Will Be Called [Notes]

One of the most interesting parts of the Christmas story is that a large group of strangers from Babylon arrived in Jerusalem asking the question, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” These Magi were not Jewish, so why did they travel hundreds of miles over several months just to kneel before this child-king and present Him with gifts? What did they know that many people these days miss? How might understanding the royalty of Jesus impact how we live our lives? Join us for our Christmas service, “He Will Be Called,” to find out.

Today's Takeaway // Jesus is the eternal King of Kings. Let us bow before Him.

Jesus is the King.

And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
– Revelation 19:16 (HCSB)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, "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." When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.”
– Matthew 2:1-6 (HCSB)

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
– Isaiah 9:6-7 (HCSB)

He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.
– Daniel 7:14 (HCSB)

Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.
– Luke 1:31-33 (HCSB)

Magi: A priestly caste among the Persians and Medes, which occupied itself principally with the secrets of nature, astrology, and medicine.
– Dr. Vincent

A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel.
– Numbers 24:17b (HCSB)

Conjunctions of constellations, appearances of comets, and the appearance and disappearance of stars were all at times believed to herald the rise and fall of monarchs....
– Dr. J. Nolland

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
– Matthew 2:3 (HCSB)

Herod here is Herod the Great, who ruled as king from 37 to 4 B.C. He was a figure of heroic proportions, whose rebuilding of theJerusalem temple represented a major feat of ancient architecture, but whose rule was tyrannical, ruthless, and cruel.
– Dr. J. Nolland

[He was] a ruthless murderer. He had his own wife and her two brothers slain because he suspected them of treason. He was married at least nine times in order to fulfill his lusts and strengthen his political ties.
– Dr. Wiersbe

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.
– Micah 5:2 (HCSB)

Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
– Matthew 2:7-12 (HCSB)

"All your males are to appear three times a year before the Lord your God in the place He chooses: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths. No one is to appear before the Lord empty-handed. Everyone must appear with a gift suited to his means, according to the blessing the Lord your God has given you."
– Deuteronomy 16:16-17 (HCSB)

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
– Matthew 2:11-12 (HCSB)

1. What did you like best about Christmas when you were growing up? What did you like least?
2. Read Matthew 2:1-12. Consider for a moment the different responses to the announcement of Christ’s birth. How would you describe Herod’s response? How would you describe the response of the religious leaders?
3. Do you think most people today are like Herod, the religious leaders, or the Magi when it comes to their response to Jesus? Explain your answer.
4. Read Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Daniel 7:13-14, and Matthew 2:11. What do we learn from these verses about the identity of Jesus? Why is it important we understand who Jesus really was and is?
5. Read Matthew 2:9-12 again. How would you describe the Magi’s response to the birth of Christ? What can we learn from their example?
6. What are some things you might do to honor Christ during the Christmas holiday season?

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