Embracing the True King: Justice and Hope at Christmas
Summary
In our Christmas series, "More Than Merry," we explore the deeper meaning of Christmas beyond the cultural festivities. We began by examining Peter Bruegel's artwork, which depicts the biblical "Massacre of the Innocents" without the expected violence, prompting us to reflect on the promise of justice inherent in the Christmas story. This promise is not just about the joy of the season but about God's commitment to bring justice to our broken world. The story of King Herod and the birth of Jesus highlights the tension between earthly power and divine justice. Herod, a historical figure known for his tyranny, represents the oppressive rulers of the world who resist the true King, Jesus. Despite Herod's attempts to maintain his power, the narrative assures us that no tyrant escapes God's judgment.
The Christmas story introduces us to two kings: Herod, who embodies fear and oppression, and Jesus, who offers peace and justice. This contrast challenges us to consider our own resistance to divine authority. We often desire justice but reject the idea of a king, preferring autonomy over submission. Yet, the Christmas message invites us to recognize Jesus as the rightful King who brings true freedom and justice. The Magi's journey to worship Jesus exemplifies the joy and liberation found in acknowledging His kingship. Unlike Herod, who clings to power, the Magi find fulfillment in surrendering to Jesus.
The sermon concludes by emphasizing the dual nature of Jesus' mission: His first coming offers salvation and mercy, while His second coming promises justice. This duality reflects the tension in our world, where injustice persists despite the promise of divine justice. The hope of Christmas lies in the assurance that Jesus, the benevolent King, will return to set things right. This message challenges us to confront our own resistance to His rule and embrace the peace and forgiveness He offers.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Promise of Justice: Christmas is not just a celebration but a reminder of God's promise to bring justice to our world. The story of Herod and Jesus highlights the tension between earthly power and divine justice, urging us to trust in God's ultimate plan for righteousness. [33:10]
2. The Dual Nature of Jesus' Mission: Jesus' first coming was to offer salvation and mercy, while His second coming will bring justice. This duality reflects the tension in our world, where injustice persists despite the promise of divine justice. [53:53]
3. The Challenge of Submission: We often resist the idea of a king, preferring autonomy over submission. Yet, the Christmas message invites us to recognize Jesus as the rightful King who brings true freedom and justice. [57:25]
4. The Joy of Worship: The Magi's journey to worship Jesus exemplifies the joy and liberation found in acknowledging His kingship. Unlike Herod, who clings to power, the Magi find fulfillment in surrendering to Jesus. [01:08:00]
5. The Hope of Divine Justice: The hope of Christmas lies in the assurance that Jesus, the benevolent King, will return to set things right. This message challenges us to confront our own resistance to His rule and embrace the peace and forgiveness He offers. [01:11:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [29:42] - Art Criticism and the Massacre of the Innocents
- [33:10] - The Promise of Justice
- [36:53] - The Role of a King
- [39:54] - Herod's Story and Character
- [43:56] - The Arrival of the Magi
- [46:06] - Herod's Plot and the Magi's Escape
- [48:35] - Jesus' Escape to Egypt
- [50:55] - The Judgment of God
- [52:17] - The Two Comings of Jesus
- [53:53] - Jesus as Savior and Judge
- [55:55] - The Offer of Forgiveness
- [57:25] - The War of Kingdoms
- [01:08:00] - The Paradox of Freedom
- [01:11:40] - The Hope of Divine Justice
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "More Than Merry"
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 2:1-12 - The Visit of the Magi
2. John 3:17 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
3. Acts 17:31 - "For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two contrasting kings introduced in the Christmas story, and how do they differ in their approach to power? [43:56]
2. How does the sermon describe Herod's reaction to the news of Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about his character? [46:06]
3. What role do the Magi play in the narrative, and how is their journey significant to the theme of worship and submission? [47:24]
4. According to the sermon, what is the dual nature of Jesus' mission as described in the Bible? [53:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the promise of justice in the Christmas story, and why is this significant for believers today? [33:10]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that people today resist the idea of Jesus as King, and what are the implications of this resistance? [57:25]
3. How does the sermon use the story of the Magi to illustrate the joy and liberation found in acknowledging Jesus' kingship? [01:08:00]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the tension between earthly power and divine justice, and how does this tension manifest in our world today? [50:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you resist Jesus' authority? How can you begin to submit those areas to His kingship? [57:25]
2. The Magi found joy in worshiping Jesus. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and joy in your daily life, especially during the Christmas season? [01:08:00]
3. The sermon highlights the promise of divine justice. How does this promise impact your view of current injustices in the world, and how can you be an agent of justice in your community? [50:55]
4. Consider the dual nature of Jesus' mission. How does understanding Jesus as both Savior and Judge influence your relationship with Him and your approach to sharing the gospel? [53:53]
5. The sermon challenges us to confront our resistance to Jesus' rule. What practical steps can you take this week to embrace His peace and forgiveness more fully? [01:11:40]
6. How can the story of Herod serve as a warning against the dangers of clinging to power and autonomy? What changes might you need to make to avoid similar pitfalls? [46:06]
7. Reflect on the hope of Christmas as described in the sermon. How can this hope shape your interactions with others and your outlook on the future? [01:11:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Promise of Justice
The Christmas story is a profound reminder of God's promise to bring justice to our world. It contrasts the oppressive rule of King Herod with the divine justice embodied by Jesus. Herod, a tyrant who sought to maintain his power through fear and violence, represents the earthly powers that resist God's righteous plan. In contrast, Jesus' birth signifies the arrival of a new kind of king—one who brings peace and justice. This narrative invites us to trust in God's ultimate plan for righteousness, even when faced with the injustices of the world. The promise of justice is not just a future hope but a present reality that calls us to live in alignment with God's kingdom values. [33:10]
Isaiah 42:1-4 (ESV): "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in bringing God's justice to your community today? Consider one specific action you can take to align with His kingdom values.
Day 2: The Dual Nature of Jesus' Mission
Jesus' mission is characterized by a duality that reflects the tension in our world. His first coming was to offer salvation and mercy, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled with God. This aspect of His mission is marked by grace and forgiveness, inviting all to experience His love. However, His second coming promises justice, where He will set things right and judge the world with righteousness. This dual nature of Jesus' mission highlights the ongoing struggle between the persistence of injustice and the promise of divine justice. It calls believers to live in the tension of the "already but not yet," holding onto the hope that Jesus will return to establish His kingdom fully. [53:53]
2 Peter 3:9-10 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? Identify one area where you can demonstrate His mercy and justice today.
Day 3: The Challenge of Submission
The Christmas message challenges us to recognize Jesus as the rightful King who brings true freedom and justice. However, this recognition often conflicts with our desire for autonomy and resistance to divine authority. Like Herod, who clung to power, we may find ourselves resisting the idea of a king, preferring to maintain control over our lives. Yet, true freedom is found in submission to Jesus' kingship, where His rule brings peace and justice. This challenge invites us to examine our hearts and confront the areas where we resist His authority, encouraging us to embrace the freedom that comes from surrendering to His will. [57:25]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: The Joy of Worship
The journey of the Magi to worship Jesus exemplifies the joy and liberation found in acknowledging His kingship. Unlike Herod, who clung to power and control, the Magi found fulfillment in surrendering to Jesus. Their journey was marked by joy and a deep sense of purpose, as they recognized the true King and offered their gifts in worship. This narrative invites us to experience the joy of worship by acknowledging Jesus' authority in our lives. It challenges us to let go of our need for control and find liberation in surrendering to Him, discovering the true joy that comes from living in His presence. [01:08:00]
Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment of worship. How did it impact your understanding of Jesus' kingship? Consider how you can incorporate more intentional moments of worship into your daily routine.
Day 5: The Hope of Divine Justice
The hope of Christmas lies in the assurance that Jesus, the benevolent King, will return to set things right. This message challenges us to confront our own resistance to His rule and embrace the peace and forgiveness He offers. Despite the persistence of injustice in the world, believers are called to live in hope, trusting that Jesus will fulfill His promise of divine justice. This hope is not passive but active, inspiring us to live in a way that reflects His kingdom values and anticipates His return. It encourages us to be agents of His justice and peace, embodying the hope of Christmas in our daily lives. [01:11:40]
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' return to set things right influence your perspective on current injustices? Identify one way you can actively participate in bringing hope and justice to those around you today.
Quotes
"We are in our Christmas series, which we've called More Than Merry, because we're trying to realise how Christmas is more than about prawns on the barbie and going for a swim at the beach, which if you are not from Australia, you're like, how is that what Christmas is about?" [00:28:20] (19 seconds)
"But there is, Christmas has a confronting message. This is the... This is the original Christmas. Or take Ruben's famous artwork, which is just so dynamic, so much happening in this artwork. You can see the soldiers with a sword bent on violence. You see women cowering in fear. You see another woman doing everything she can to stop the butchery that's about to happen. You see a poor mother weeping." [00:32:35] (35 seconds)
"This kind of injustice still happens in the world around us. And what we cry out for in our world is for justice to arrive and that is what the promise of Christmas is all about, more than justice. God has placed within the hearts of each and every one of us a restless desire for justice, hardwired into us by God. There is this hunger for justice that is meant to drive us towards him and the desire for justice really is one of the most important of the major themes of the Bible, if not the major theme." [00:35:26] (38 seconds)
"And the Bible, the solution to justice is the arrival of a king. All of us live in search of a king, whether we know it or not. We're hardwired to want a king because God is our king and he's hardwired us to make us seek him. And that's why every culture tells story after story about benevolent kings who bring blessings to their subject. And that they put down evil kings, they reject evil kings and they cast down the evil kings and they lift up the poor and lowly." [00:37:04] (35 seconds)
"And yet, despite us longing for a king, we have this double -hearted attitude towards kings. Because although we want justice, we actually want to live within a republic, right? Because we don't want a king telling us what to do. We don't want to be answerable to anyone else. We want to be able to be free, free of the shackles of having a king over us, telling us what to do. But at the same time, we want evil people answering." [00:38:02] (27 seconds)
"And so, here you have the worst character in the Christmas story, who probably also has the best theology in the Christmas story, right? Because he knows that the child born in Bethlehem is a threat to his kingship. He knows that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born into the world to be our rightful King, if He is King, then Herod answers to someone else." [00:44:34] (28 seconds)
"And that's why he's going to be set forth into doing what he's about to do. But you know the Christmas carol, O Holy Night, my favorite Christmas carol, that and O Come, Come, O Come, Emmanuel. But there's that line which goes, chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease. Herod gets that. He knows that when the Christ King arrives, oppression's going to cease. And he knows he's on the side of the oppressors. He is an oppressor. And so he knows his time's up." [00:45:28] (39 seconds)
"When Herod realized that he'd been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem. And it's vicinity who are two years old and younger in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. He thinks nothing of killing a bunch of two -year -old boys by assassins he sends to Bethlehem. What a villain. He's gone down in history as one of the most horrific villains of all history, the butcher of Bethlehem." [00:48:35] (37 seconds)
"No matter how powerful you are, no matter cruel, no matter what your position or privilege, all of us are destined to die once and after that face the death of Jesus. And so, we meet two kings at the start of Matthew chapter 2, God's judgment. And can I say, that is great news. Because if this world is all there is, then tyrants get away with whatever they want to do." [00:50:59] (22 seconds)
"And that's great news because it means justice is coming. Every wrong will be righted. Now, the challenge is we want others to answer for the way they've lived their lives, but we... We often don't want to answer for the way we've lived our lives. And the sharp part of the Bible is that Jesus is an impartial judge. He doesn't show favoritism. He doesn't take sides. He will judge everyone according to what they have done." [00:52:49] (33 seconds)
"He's given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead. So, the one God's raised from the dead is judge, is your judge. So, what is He? Judge or Saviour? Depends what time you live, because right now, He is Saviour. He's not come to condemn the world. That's the time we're living in. We are living in the day of salvation, where the message is going out to people who maybe you've never murdered some kids in Bethlehem, but all of us have buried within our own hearts a resistance and a hostility to Jesus' rule over us." [00:55:02] (41 seconds)
"Christmas is about a war of kingdoms, mine and God's, and who has the right to rule. And the good news is, God offers peace, forgiveness, even to rebels. But in order to do that, He must confront the war in your soul, because His desire is to bring you peace. And you're not at peace with Him, because we all resist the kingship of Jesus. And you see Herod, he's the only realist in the Christmas drama. You call him a liar, call him a maniac, whatever the case." [00:57:50] (41 seconds)
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