The Reporter   
 Volume 46 # 48,  --  December  1, 2006

 

Where Is The King?

 – Matthew Two –

 

   Wise men will always seek Jesus. Matthew chapter two gives us a look at the wise men that came seeking Jesus and the wicked act of a godless king that broke the hearts of many families. The wise men sought a king but they found a child who had been born in a stable. But remember this child was Emmanuel – “God with us.” 

 

   Matthew tells us of the visit of the wise men (two or more men) that came some time after the birth of Jesus. Luke records the account of how the shepherds heard the good news concerning the Savior on the night of His birth. There are many similarities between Jesus and Old Testament events. A couple of examples are, (1) The Jews went to Egypt to preserve life and then returned; Jesus did the same, and (2) Pharaoh was killing babies when Moses was born but he was spared. Herod killed the babies when Jesus was born; but He was spared. God's Messiah was born and now salvation is a reality!

 

   The wise men visit the king – Matthew 2:1-12: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”  (Matthew 2:1-2)  People are not wise because of what they know, but because of what they seek. These wise men were exactly what we should be – earnest, sincere seekers of Christ. God pity the king, president or beggar who does not know Christ and where he was born.

 

   From this beautiful section of Scripture we observe: (1) The Seekers – “…there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.” (Matthew 2:1) (2) The Sought – “…Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) (3) The Sign – “…We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) (4) The Search – “…Go and search diligently for the young child." (Matthew 2:8), and (5) The Success – “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and Myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11) Wise men will always seek Jesus.

 

   The Christ is taken into Egypt – Matthew 2:13-15: The wise men “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod departed into their own country another way.” (Matthew 2:12) Instead of seeking the Christ for worship, Herod sought the child to destroy Him. It would be of interest to know what became of these wise men. Did they come to a saving knowledge of the Christ? What did they tell others of Jesus when they returned to their own country?

 

   After the wise left an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. He was told to get up and quickly take the child and his mother to Egypt. He was to stay there until God told him to return. The reason for this was because Herod was looking for the child and wanted to kill him. Joseph is a great example of obedience. Remember, God said go to Egypt. Now watch Joseph, “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.” (Matthew 2:14) Wise parent’s contin-ually seek the safety of their children. God al-ways has a place of safety for His people.

 

   Observe, (1) The Warning – “…the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." (Matthew 2:13), (2) The Willing – “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:" (Matthew 2:14) and, (3) The Waiting – “And was there until the death of Herod.” (Matthew 2:15)

 

   The murder of the infants in Bethlehem – Matthew 2:16-18: The wicked act of King Herod in killing all these babies must have broken the hearts of many families. From this sad section of scripture we observe: (1) “The Wicked – “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding worth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.” (Matthew 2:16), and (2) The Writing – “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” (Matthew 2:17-18)

 

   The only hopeful thing concerning the slaughter of these innocent children is that while their physical lives were taken at the command of a cruel and heartless king they are forever in the care of a loving, kind and merciful God. (Matthew 18:1-5) This is also true of the millions of babies that are murdered each year by abortion.

 

   The Christ returned out of Egypt – Matthew  2:19-23: Joseph did just as God said. He stayed in Egypt until he had a word from God. After the death of King Herod Joseph was told to take the child and his mother back to Israel. Joseph could move about to any part of Israel because the people that wanted to kill Jesus were now dead. When God gave the command Joseph got up and left for Israel with his family. He exactly conformed in every circumstance to the orders given to him by God.

 

   When Joseph knew that Herod's son Archelaus was now ruler of Judea he was afraid to go there. He, like his father, was a very cruel and wicked man. In order to help Joseph with his fears God told him to go into Galilee. It would be the natural thing, then, to go to live in the town of Nazareth. Both Joseph and Mary had lived there before. (Luke 1:26, Luke 2:4) Christ was not born in Nazareth, yet because he lived at Nazareth, and was educated there. The Jews frequently call him “Jesus, the Nazarene.” 

 

   It was not a mere coincidence for them to settle at Nazareth. God had a hand in this matter. Matthew says that it was in fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus was to be called a Nazarene. There is not any prophecy in the Old Testament where these exact words are found. The term is derived from the formation of the name “Nazareth” which seems to signify “a sprout or branch.” In the Old Testament Jesus is refereed to as a sprout or branch. (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, Zecha­riah 3:8, Zecha­riah 6:12)

 

   Jesus died, innocent children died, many suffered so salvation could be ours. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) To be saved you must hear (Romans 10:17), believe (Hebrews 11:6), repent (Luke 13:3), confess (Acts 8:37), and be baptized. (Acts 22:16) Be wise and seek Jesus.

 

- - - - Charles Box

 

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Lindsay Rice (fiancée of Timmy Croley). In Need Of Prayers: Mary Alexander, Linda Bender, Gary Bozeman, Brenda Burkett (sister of Vickie Clark), Emily Cain, Meryln Carter, Joey Crysell, Juanita Cubley (sister of Mary Lou Terrell), Evelyn Duke, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Tom Green, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Frank Johnson, Darrell Jones, Mary Lawrence, Dale Matthews, Shirley O’Connor (mother of Vickie Clark), Jim & Steve Osborne (son’s of Catherine Osborne), Jason Owens, Marie Owens, Wayne Padgett (uncle of Nancy Faulkenberry), Margaret Pierce, Mary Powell, Meg Sellers, Roger Strange, Winston Temple, and Brittany Till. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Green-ville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson, Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Ethel Gafford, and Jean Hayes.

 

2. Please Pray For: (a) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the Iraq area. His address is SSG Jerry Samuel Sanders, 1/117 FA SECFOR, Box 540, APO AE 09898. (b) Jason Godwin, son of Barbara Walker is serving in Iraq. Jason’s address in Iraq is CW2 Jason E Godwin, C1-111th AVN, ALI Air Base, Tallil, Iraq, APO AE 09331. His e-mail address is jason.e.godwin@us.army.mil. (c) Michael Ho-well, grandson of Clifford and Ella Mae McCarter is serving in the Iraq area. His address is SSG Howell Michael W, ACO.2-12CAV., 21ID/1STCAV.UNIT 43312, APO AE 09344.

 

3. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: December 3rd Beth Croley, December 5th Brooklyn Acree, December 7th Eleanor Stabler, and December 9th Brett Thomas.

 

4. Thank You: Dear Walnut Church of Christ members, Thank you so much for the gifts, money, love and support. Thank you for the shower and everything you have done for me and my family. I appreciate everything. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Emily Daughtry

 

5. Triplets Update: The Herring triplets are doing well. Remember the food list and also keep filling the box in the foyer with needed supplies. This week’s item is Diaper Wipes. It was good to see the triplets at the church service last Sunday!

 

6. After School Special: There will be an after school gathering for the children in kindergarten through 6th grade here at the building after school on December 7th.

 

7. Ladies Ornament Party: Barbara Walker will be hosting this party at her home on December 9th at 6:30 p.m. Ladies are asked to bring finger food and also to bring a Christmas item of some kind.

 

8. Secret Pal Christmas Party: The Secret Pal Christmas party will be at the home of Susan Murphy on December 10th at 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring a present for you secret pal.

 

9. Ryan & Melissa Bagents To Be Honored: There will be a get together for all the church on December 10th after the evening services for Ryan and Melissa Bagents. They were married November 2nd. This will give us an opportunity to honor them with a shower and to meet Melissa and welcome her. Please bring finger foods and enjoy this time of fellowship.

 

10. Crowne Health Care: (a) Our Christmas party for the residents of Crowne Health Care will be December 21st. Plan to do what you can to help. (b) We will not have classes at Crowne Health Care on Saturday, December 30th.

 

11. Visitation Program: Our visitation program meets on Tuesday nights at 6:00. Both men and women are invited to participate. Please be a part of this good work.

 

12. Thank You: (a) Thanks to all of you for the poinsettias. They represent your love for each other, and are in memory of loved ones who are no longer with us. A special thank you to Chris Bagents for his help! (b) Thanks to all that have help pack the supplies for Guyana. God bless you for your hard work on both work days and those that did extra packing also! (c) Thanks to Ken & Kelli Smith for hosting last week’s Thursday night Theology meeting. Many of our adults are such a blessing to our young people.

 

Back To The Source

 

   Have you ever tried to untangle a cluster of cords or cables that have become intertwined?  At first, it can seem an impossible task as each one is wrapped numerous times around the others. You cannot tell which one is which, and you have no idea how they ended up in such a jumbled mess.  But at last, when you slow down and patiently take the time to follow each cord to the source, they unravel and are restored to an orderly state. The same concept can be applied to our lives.

 

   So many people feel as if their entire life is in disarray. They have no idea how things became so tangled, and the thought of being set free from their troubles seems unattainable. But it can be done if the confusion is followed to its source. James said, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:25.) Sin is the source of all wrong and unhappiness in the world, and the father of sin is the devil. (John 8:44.) As long as one is in bondage to Satan, life will be to him a bed of uncertainty, sorrow, and impending death. But there is another source, which brings forth life.

 

   One does not have to let his/her life lie in ruin.  Just as every terrible thing comes from the devil, God is the source of all that is good.  (James 1:17.) When life seems to be filled with turmoil, if one will turn to God, he or she will find peace. God will provide for His children physically (Matthew 6:33), and He will light the way to every spiritual gift...including life eternal. (Romans 6:23.)

 

   This life will always contain trials and tribulations. But if we remember that their source is sin and the devil, and we acknowledge that God is the source of all that is good, we can be free from the confusion and doubt that causes unhappiness.

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

“Love One Another”

 

Sin sees the bait, but is blind to the hook.

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551