What Child is This?

What Child is This?

Matthew 2:1-12

December 21, 2025

King Herod was afraid.

• Herod ruthlessly killed anyone he considered a to his throne.
• He assembled the Jewish leaders to find out where the Messiah would be born.
• He said he wanted to worship the Messiah but in truth wanted to Him, vv. 7-8.
  • He used the information later to kill boys in Bethlehem under 2-years old.

The Jewish leaders were unaware.

• The Jewish leaders knew Micah’s (5:2) about Bethlehem, v. 6.
• Keep in mind these were the religious leaders of the nation.
  • They Scripture well and expected the Messiah to come.
  • They didn’t take the time to travel five or six miles to Bethlehem to check.

The wise men were searching.

• We know very little about the wise men.
  • Probably astrologers from away in the east, high in society and wealthy.
  • They were who had some knowledge of Judaism.
• Somehow, they connected an unusual star to the birth of the King of the Jews, the Messiah.
  • The best explanation for the star is that God performed a to lead the wise men.
  • In leading the wise men to Jesus, God was them to Himself.
• Though they were Gentiles, these men were acting on genuine faith.
  • It them great time, effort, and expense to travel so far.
  • They did not give up until they had seen the baby Jesus and Him.
  • God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Which attitude best fits you?

• Are you afraid to trust God and give Him your life?
• Are God and religion something you just don’t think much about?
• Do you want to know more about God? Do you want to live your life for Him?
  • God wants us to come to Him and live our lives in His love and strength, John 6:44.
• Ask God to help you be like the wise men.

Do you know God in a personal relationship?

(Answers: threat, kill, prophecy, knew, far, Gentiles, miracle, drawing, cost, worshipped)