1. Recognizing the King Matthew 2 (Luke 2:1-14; John 1:11)

2. 2 Fulfilled Prophecy Place of his birth, Matthew 2:1-6 Bethlehem of Judea, Micah 5:2 (735-700 BC); Matt. 2:1; Luke 2:4 Some misunderstood, Jno. 7:41-43 To deny Jesus is Messiah one must: Deny accepted view of Mic. 5:2 (Matt. 2:5-6)Deny accepted view of Mic. 5:2 (Matt. 2:5-6) Reinterpret Micah 5:2Reinterpret Micah 5:2 Reject Micah 5:2Reject Micah 5:2

3. 3 Fulfilled Prophecy Called out of Egypt, Matt. 2:13-15, 19-21 Preservation (Gen. 45:5, 7) Matt. 2:13-14 Hasty departure, 2:14Hasty departure, 2:14 Gifts sustained them, 2:11Gifts sustained them, 2:11

4. 4 Fulfilled Prophecy Called out of Egypt, Matt. 2:13-15, 19-21 Deliverance and Designation, 2:15 CALL (kaleo): “to call aloud, to invite, to call by name, to give a name to”CALL (kaleo): “to call aloud, to invite, to call by name, to give a name to” Israel, Exo. 4:22-23 (Hosea 11:1)Israel, Exo. 4:22-23 (Hosea 11:1) My Son, 2:15 (1:20, 23; Lk. 1:35)My Son, 2:15 (1:20, 23; Lk. 1:35)

5. 5 Fulfilled Prophecy Called a Nazarene, Matt. 2:21-23 No single prophecy like this is in the OT Prophesied that He would be despised, rejected and of lowly estate, Psalm 22:6; 69:4; Isaiah 53:2-3 Derision, Jno. 1:45-46 (Acts 24:5)Derision, Jno. 1:45-46 (Acts 24:5) Reason some rejected, Jno. 7:41-42, 52Reason some rejected, Jno. 7:41-42, 52

6. 6 Contrasted with Herod Herod the Great: Neither truly King nor Jew King: Title without power, 2:1-2 (37-4 BC) Jew: In name only; He was an Idumean (circumcision forced on Idumeans in 125 BC) Seen by Jews as usurper of David’s throneSeen by Jews as usurper of David’s throne Murderously jealous of his position and power, Matt. 2:3-4, 16 (Jer. 31:15)Murderously jealous of his position and power, Matt. 2:3-4, 16 (Jer. 31:15)

7. Contrasted with Herod Jesus the Nazarene Heir to throne (1:1) Israel (Jacob) Came to save (1:21) Lowly station (2:23) Worshiped (2:11) Son of God (2:15) Herod the Great Usurper to the throne Edom (Esau) Murderous slaughter Title, position and power Avoided (2:12) Enemy of the Son (2:13)

8. 8 Recognizing the King Today The wise will seek him, Psa. 2:10-12 His salvation, rule and rest, Matt. 11:28-30; 28:18; Col. 3:17 Wise obey and serve him, Matt. 6:33; 7:24 The wicked despise and reject the King Driven by pride, power and jealousy and blinded by sin – REFUSE TO HONOR HIM!