How Were the Wise Men Wise?

Pastor Melinda Song

Matthew 2:1-12, NKJV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, inthe land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”[a]

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

INTRODUCTION

In Matthew chapter 2, the Christmas story has jumped ahead about two years. Matthew chapter 1 closed with the baby Jesus being born and named, but now in chapter 2 Jesus is called a “child” (2:8,10) and the family is living in a house in Bethlehem.

By comparing the birth stories of Jesus in Matthew and Luke it appears that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Then they presented Him at the temple before heading back to Nazareth (2:39). Later on they decided to move to Bethlehem as that’s where they were living in Matthew 2.

Then came “wise men from the East.”

A. Who Were The Wise Men?

Not much is known about these wise men. We are used to singing:

"We three kings of Orient are

bearing gifts, we traverse afar..."

They weren't kings and neither were there three of them.

These men are described as "Wise men" (NRSV, KJV) or "Magi" (NIV). The word is magos, "a Persian or Babylonian wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams, and various other occult arts."

They came from "the east”, probably from Babylon, Persia or the Arabian desert. At any rate, they were men of wisdom and learning from an exotic, far away land bringing a caravan into the capital city of the Jews, seeking a newborn king.

The Biblical record says little about who these men were. 

B. How Were The Wise Men Wise?

They were wise to seek Jesus

v. 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

There are numerous theories on what the star was. People have speculated that it could be a  supernova, an explosion in an existing star that for several weeks or months gives out a great deal of light. However, there is no historical record of a supernova just before Jesus' birth date.

Or it could have been a comet but astronomers have calculated that Halley's comet would have been visible in 12-11 BC, which was years before Jesus' birth at around 6 BC.

There was a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars that occurred in 7-6 BC, and mention seems to have been made of this in some ancient texts but there is no evidence that such a conjunction of planets would have been actually referred to as a "star."

We just don't know enough to say authoritatively exactly what the Star of Bethlehem was.

The Magi, although Gentile, may have linked the star to “the King of the Jews” through studying the OT and other Jewish writings. They could have been exposed to some Old Testament prophecies from some of the Jews who had settled in the east during the Babylonian exile.

They were watching and waiting for signs of the fulfilment of Number 24:17 which says, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” So when God sent the star that pointed the way to Jesus, left their homes, their families, and at great expense travelled hundreds of miles to follow the star in search for the King of the Jews.

Even today, 2,000 years later, wise men still come to Jesus! 

Application: We each must make our own journey to find Jesus, to meet him personally, and make him a living reality in our lives.

Today we are glad to have four great examples in our midst today who are following in obedience to Jesus through water baptism. 

If you have been waiting to come to Jesus for salvation, delay no longer, just come to Him today! He waits to save those who will call on Him!

For those of us who are already Christians…

Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.

You can be the star lighting the way for many to come into salvation.

They were wise to worship Jesus

v. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When they saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. Why? Because He is God and He is worthy of worship and He demands worship and we are happier when we worship Him.

The purpose that these Gentiles from a faraway land travelled perhaps hundreds of miles was to worship a baby born of peasant woman in a manger.  The point of this story is that we ought to worship Jesus as well.

Application: Christians are not simply those who believe in Jesus. Christians are those who know, love, trust and worship Jesus. Christianity and Christmas is about worship of a God who loves us so much that He came and dwelt among us.

This story teaches us what real worship involves. Real worship always involves giving.

These Magi brought Christ their best gifts, gifts fit for a king. They were willing to use their TREASURES to make the long journey to see the King. They also carried fantastic treasures of gold, incense, and myrrh to present to Christ.

The Magi used the gifts of their TALENTS too! They were men who knew the heavens. They understood that the star they were seeing was a special sign and then acted on that knowledge.

The Wise Men were wise, because they gave Jesus their gift of TIME. They took time off to make a journey of maybe months or years to Bethlehem.

These gifts represent a great sacrifice. The Magi gave the best they had. They came to the Messiah prepared to give. If we want to experience Jesus, then we must worship him and make sacrifices to put him first in our lives. We must be willing to sacrifice our time, our talents, and our treasure for Christ.

They were wise to obey God

v. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

The Lord commanded to return to their country by another route – it may have been an unfamiliar route, or less convenient, or more costly, or more dangerous one. They are sensitive to God’s leading and they are more than willing to submit to His plans and respond with obedience when He speaks.

Application: Sometimes what God calls us to do is unfamiliar and inconvenient and uncomfortable, sometimes it’s risky or costly or dangerous but if we want to really experience Christ we must submit to his Lordship.

CONCLUSION

The wisdom of Christmas is this:

1. The wise seek Jesus

2. The wise worship Jesus

3. The wise obey God

As God called the wise men to Christ by a star in the sky, He continues to call people to Himself through His servants and the word of God.

We are led to the same Christ as were the Magi, not for the gifts that we would bring to Him, but for the gifts that He would give to us, the gifts of forgiveness and life and salvation that are greater than all of the gold, frankincense and myrrh in the world.

Christianity and Christmas is about worship. The Savior has come. He has called us out of the darkness of sin. He has delivered us from the darkness of death. He has given us his Son. Wise is the man who worships the Christ the Lord in humble faith!

On this Christmas Day, let us worship Jesus because of Who He is. 

On the Brink of a Miracle

Pastor Melinda Song

The very first Christmas occurred during a very dark time in the life of Israel. God has been silent for 400 years since God had spoken to His people through the prophet Malachi. God is still at work although the people still felt like God had abandoned them. But now, God is going to announce the source of a new hope in quite an unexpected way – by sending his angel to an old priest who had experienced his own sorrow in life because he and his wife were childless.

I have entitled today’s message “On the Brink of a Miracle” and the text is taken from…

Luke 1:5-25, NIV

1 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

Of the four Gospel writers, Luke gives us the most detailed account of Jesus’ birth, childhood and development. He begins his Christmas story by introducing us to two people, the parents of John the Baptist, who are “On the Brink of a Miracle”. 

1.     A godly couple (v. 5-6)

1 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.

Zechariah was one of about 20,000 priests serving the temple who were divided by King David into 24 divisions (1 Chron. 23-24) due to their large number. Each division would serve in the temple one week at a time, twice a year. Thus a priest could only serve once in his lifetime.

Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth were a godly couple who pleased God with lives of outward compliance with inward obedience.

2.     BUT (v. 7)

7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Having children was seen as a blessing from God in the Jewish culture – an indication of divine favour. So being childless was a great disappointment to them and a disgrace for Elizabeth (v. 21)

There was little hope of things changing as they were old. The possibility of a touch from God was remote. Do you ever feel that it’s just time to give up? Yet childlessness was a theme repeated throughout the Old Testament, as with Sarah, Rebekah, Manoah’s wife, and Hannah. God can turn around the situation.

TRUST GOD WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND

Some of you, despite being faithful, are disappointed because of unanswered prayers. You don’t understand why things are happening against you and that is where you need faith to trust God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

You may be facing a dead-end situation right now—financial, emotional, or relational, but if you will trust God He will make a way for you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. This is what a walk of faith is about: you trust God even when you do not seem to understand.

A WORD OF CAUTION! Barrenness was considered a sign of God¡¦s disfavour and punishment so this couple lived with shame because there are some who probably suspected them of serious secret sin. Often we look at people and their difficult situation and blame or condemn them. We look at a couple who haven’t had children and wonder what is wrong? We look at families whose children are turning away from God and people condemn them for not being good parents. We look at couples who have separated or divorced and wonder what they’ve done wrong.

It is all too easy to lay blame on people and condemn them, but here is a couple who were God fearing, who were right with God, yet they didn’t have all the “blessings” we think they should have. The lesson? Even righteous people live with disappointments and hurt and instead of making that greater, we need to empathize with them and support them in their pain.

Zacharias could also have gotten rid of Elizabeth and married a younger woman to have children but he didn’t. Instead he honoured the covenant of marriage and committed the situation to God, the one person who could do something about it.

3.    A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (vv. 8-10)

8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Each morning lots were cast to decide on the priest who would enter the holy place, bearing burning coals from the bronze altar in the temple court, to burn incense which symbolised the prayers of God’s people rising toward heaven. That day the lot fell to Zechariah

HAVE THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

In spite of uncertainties, in spite shame in the society; Zechariah not only believed God but he faithfully went to the temple to perform his duties as a priest.

It is important to have the right perspective/attitude when waiting for your promise. The problem with many of us is that when things don’t work out as we plan, we get discouraged, lose our joy and our spiritual life goes downhill. Such people are no more seen at church.

Zechariah DID NOT GIVE UP. We have to keep doing good despite the bad happening in your life.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”

God is looking for people like this today. You may be facing a hopeless situation, an unanswered prayer but can you praise God in spite of the problem?

God has a set time for your breakthrough, but if you want that victory in God’s time, you need to have the right perspective.

Remember the 12 spies? Just because the majority had the wrong perspective, out of the 2 million people who were camped next door to the Promised Land, only 2 made it to the Promised Land just because of the right perspective. Many times it is our perspective that stops our breakthrough.

You show up (that is faith) and God (your faithful God) will show up!

That day was Zechariah’s day! God was ready to make His move. Had Zechariah given up he would have lost his appointment with God.

4.     An Angel shows up! (vv. 11-13)

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

WAIT FOR GOD

Maybe you are waiting for a breakthrough. God is telling you, “Fear not, your prayers have been answered. Today is the day of your deliverance.” Zechariah trusted God in the impossible, kept the right perspective, continued with his devotions and worship, and God decided to step in.

Some of you are discouraged because your prayers are not answered but what if God showed you His side of the story?

Maybe you are praying for your marriage and God is telling that on January 12, 2018, at 3.00 pm you are going to meet the person of your dreams. You will not be discouraged. You will be all excited and relaxed. Why? You know the big day is coming.

God promises that there are set times in our future, but he does not tell us when they will be. There is a set time for the problem to turn around, a set time for your healing, for your promotion, for your breakthrough.

It maybe tomorrow, next week, or a year from now, but when you understand the time has already been set it takes all the pressure off. Do you trust God when you do not understand. Will you continue to do worship God like Zechariah? That is when God works, so don’t give up. You are on the brink of a miracle!

5.     The Angel’s Prophecy (vv. 14-17)

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Elijah, like John the Baptist, was known for his bold, uncompromising stand for the Word of God—even in the face of a ruthless monarch. The final two verses of the Old Testament (Mal. 4:5-6) had promised the return of Elijah before the Day of the Lord.

GOD HAS A GREATER PURPOSE FOR THE DELAY

John’s birth is not merely a nice story of an old couple having a baby. It is about the fulfillment of prophecy; it is about the special role the child is going to play in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan of redemption for his people and the whole world. God had a greater purpose for Zechariah’s delay.

It would be good for us in the Christmas season to grasp the big picture that our lives fit in to. When we raise the issue of why certain things happen to us – whether good or bad – we fall back on Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” We then look for the good thing in the situation.

6.     Zechariah’s lack of faith (v. 18)

18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

Zechariah was questioning God’s ability to fulfill His own Word! He totally dismissed the idea that God can enable an old couple to have a baby even though there is certainly precedent for that in the account of what God did for Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18:9-15).

Unbelief is the reason that some prayers are not answered. But let this encourage us also: Even blameless people slip up. God is a God of patience and continues to work with us and often despite us.

7.     The result of unbelief (vv. 19-22)

19 "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

Zechariah doubted God and a sign of silence was given. When Zechariah came out dumb the people outside realised that something extraordinary had happened to him.

8.    Elizabeth became pregnant (v. 23-25)

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

God is faithful. His promises never fail! The Lord is your glory and the lifter of your head and He shall take away your disgrace.

Conclusion

Advent begins with Zechariah – God remembers.

It begins with Elizabeth – God is my oath, and

it begins with the birth of John – God has been gracious.

They remind us that from the beginning God has been the author of a story that results in bringing hope into the midst of a dark world to those who will call upon the name of our coming Savior – Jesus.

When it might seem like God has forgotten His people, God remembers.

It reminds us that God is faithful to carry out His oath that He made with Adam and Abraham and every generation of His people throughout history to send a Savior, the Messiah, who would bring hope to all.

And it reminds us that God delights in extending His grace to us.

Whatever your disappointment is at the moment, God has a set time for your situation and when He answers, He not only takes care of your need but it will be for a greater purpose.

Are you in the same situation as Zechariah and Elizabeth - literally they had given up the hope? Don’t give up! Nothing is impossible for God.

He can reach down and touch you at the most unexpected time in your life. God’s touch always comes in God’s perfect time. Don’t give up! Today you are standing on the brink of a miracle. Come and we shall stand in prayer with you.

Waiting for Christmas

Rev Gideon Lee

Luke 2:22-38

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Christmas is just around the corner and how many of you are excited about Christmas? It's the holidays and there's going to be good food and the children can't wait for Christmas because they get to open their presents.

But this morning what are you waiting for this Christmas? What are you hoping to achieve this Christmas?

I read that some children writes to Santa hoping to get the presents they long for. Maybe for us, Christmas is just another event or another celebration. Many people are depressed during the the festive period because they miss their loved ones who's not there. What does Christmas means to us?

Simeon was waiting for Jesus. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Also known as the comforter. During Simeon's time, Israel was under the rule of the Romans and he was looking for comfort. Maybe some of you here are looking for comfort.

This morning at Hokkien service, Sis Siew Kim was worship leading when news came that her mother fell down. She still served and went home immediately after her worship leading and Sis Grace prayed for her. Maybe we need comfort. Simeon was like that, living in difficult times and under a difficult king.

This morning I say to you, you will see the comfort of God. Simeon wanted the comfort. Look at verse 28.

Luke 2:28-32

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Under the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit Simeon was summoned there and he took him in his arms. He took the child and began to prophesy.

What about the prophetess Anna? She was looking for the redemption of Israel. What does redemption means to you? What will you think of in redemption?

It talks about people in captivity and how we wait for someone to redeem us. Jesus redeemed us from sin. Look at what she said.

Luke 2:38

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

We all need comfort. Maybe some of us here needs forgiveness. We need to get our life right. Anna was waiting for forgiveness. What about you? Is it just another celebration? I hope not. We need to be marvelled. Or be in awe. Do you marvel at Christmas?

Sometimes we can become so jaded and forget how to marvel. Like how your children used to marvel at you when they were young. Then they grew up and they think they know more than their parents. And we are no longer their superman. And we like to say we eat more salt than they eat rice. We can come to that stage where we no longer marvel at what God did. One of the most important doctrine is Christmas, is that God became man, Emmanuel. God became man. The incarnation. That was what God did for us. God is with us.

On Christmas day, I still marvel at why Jesus came and what he did. Why should he come and be with us? Born in a manger. I marvel at what he did. Marvel at Christmas. Jesus came.

Joseph and Mary marvelled at who he is. Even the parents marvelled. They were parents who saw his birth yet they marvelled. I hope we all marvel at him.

Not just that but become a mover.

Luke 2:27-28

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

I hope this morning all of us are movers. We need to have action. This Christmas the cells are having their Christmas event. If the Lord speaks to you to bring someone, invite someone. Be a mover. Dead people are still. Not just be marvelled but be a mover. Simeon was a mover. When the Holy Spirit directed him he came. He was a mover.

Don't just sit still this Christmas but be a mover.

Last but not least, be a messenger. We are alive to do something. When the wise men saw the star, they knew something special was happening. If they did not follow the star they would not have seen Jesus. We need to move this Christmas when the Lord challenges us. When we marvel at God it is easy to be a mover. Like the wise men. They brought gifts to worship him. Knowledge must always end with worship. We need to apply the knowledge that God gives you.

Be a messenger.

Luke 2:38

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

She gave a message to everyone there about Jesus. Out there the message of Christmas has been confusing enough. How many of you saw the Christmas decoration at Queensbay? There's Santa and sleigh and reindeer. That's not Christmas and not very Malaysian too. We only have rain and flood. Tell them the true meaning of Christmas.

Is there something special that you are waiting for this Christmas? Be marvelled and be moved. Then be a messenger.

There was once a rich man who has a passion for the arts. He has a huge collection of paintings. And he shared his passion with his son. They talked a lot about art everyday.

One day the war came and the son was drafted to be a soldier. Sadly a few weeks later he received a letter that his son was killed. He was so disheartened and disappointed. He fell into a depression and it was near Christmas.

He had a knock on his door and a young man was at the door. He told the man that his son died trying to save me. He said he had nothing to remember him so he drew a portrait of his son and he wanted to give the man. He saw the drawing of his son but he was not a good painter. But when he saw his son's portrait his heart lifted. He placed the portrait of his son above the fireplace. All his other paintings no longer attracted him. He just looked at his son's portrait.

When he died many collectors wanted to buy his many collection. When the auction came, all gathered to buy his paintings. The first picture was the picture of his son. Everyone was disappointed because it was amateur and not one of the good ones. But the auctioneer said the owner wanted the portrait of his son to be sold first. Everyone thought they would not be interested and waited for this to past so they can get to the good stuff.

But a man behind said he will buy it because he said he was a friend of the son in school. He said he didn't have much but can only offer 10 dollars for it. The auctioneer asked if there's any other bid but no one was interested. It was sold to the young man and the auctioneer said the auction is now over.

The others murmured and said where are all the other good stuff? And the auctioneer said the owner said this "He who has the son has everything else".

What Does it Mean to have God with Us?

Rev Gideon Lee

We are going to celebrate Christmas in a week's time and we know that is the day Christ came to be with us. Emmanuel, God with us. What does it actually mean?

The name Emmanuel only appeared 3 times in the Bible. Twice in Isaiah and once in Matthew.

Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

That's the first time it's mentioned.

Isaiah 8:8

and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it,

passing through it and reaching up to the neck.

Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!”

That's the second time. Now let's look at Matthew.

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

What does it mean to have God with us? What does it mean to have Emmanuel?

There was a story about a submarine in the war that sank. The people in there were clinging on to every oxygen tank in the submarine. They were desperate and clinging to any hope. The captain sent out mayday and all were waiting or a rescue. After a while, hope starts to diminish after every hour.

If it's a boat you can still jump out and cling to anything that float but this was a submarine. Suddenly, as divers were looking for the submarine, the people in the submarine was knocking in Morse code hoping the divers can pinpoint where the submarine is. The Morse code was their hope. And from outside, they'll knock back with the code, there is hope.

That is the cry of humanity. We all want to have hope. Someone posted that he dreamt that the ringgit was soaring. We all hope. Is there hope? Maybe you are going through a trying time and you're asking the same question. Is there hope?

John Wesley passed away in 1971 and his last words was that God is with us. He was suffering in pain but he said that God is with us. And that is what we are celebrating in a week's time. God is with us.

This morning I want to ask three questions. Emmanuel was mentioned in three instances. The question is what does the word Emmanuel meant to Isaiah? Second, what does Emmanuel meant to Matthew? And lastly what does Emmanuel meant to you?

Isaiah was speaking to King Ahaz. He was a terrible king. He would sacrifice his own children to the gods. This was a mean and cruel king. At that time the Assyrians were increasing in power. Syria and Israel and Judah wanted to form a coalition so that they can fight the army of the Assyrians.

King Ahaz wavered and was undecided whether to join or not. Because of this Syria and Israel wanted to punish him and put another king on Judah. But King Ahaz, being cunning, he made a pack with the Assyrians. But the pack didn't last and the Assyrians turned on him.

So he was in a desperate situation when the prophet asked him to turn back to God. But King Ahaz in all his pride refused and use men instead. Because of that Judah suffered greatly.

Isaiah 7:13-14

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah announced to Ahab and told him he would have got a sign. And a name will be given even before the child was conceived. And that there will be peace in the land but the king refused.

In spite of King Ahaz failure, God did not withheld his son. God still sent his son on Christmas day. God is still faithful to bless and take care of you. Sometimes in our own stubbornness, God is still faithful. What Isaiah saw was God's faithfulness. He saw hope in the name Emmanuel. That there was still hope in God. Emmanuel, God with us. He is here with us. God's very presence is here to dwell amongst us.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

This is the God we serve. Isaiah saw hope in God. That God will come true for them. How many of you know this song that we sing from Isaiah 7?

What about Matthew. What does Emmanuel means to him?

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

For Matthew it was something like this. There was an artist that drew a winter scene. It was a dark and dreary house that looked lonely and empty. It was not a cheerful picture. Right in it was a snowstorm. You could see that it was not cheerful. Then the artists took a dab of yellow and he showed the fire that was in the house through the window. In all that dark and dreariness was a beam of light.

And in Jesus  was that beam of hope. That was what it was like to Matthew. For him it meant salvation in the midst of darkness. They were living under the yolk of the Roman empire under king Herod. Emmanuel meant that God came to offer salvation. But we know Jesus  came not to establish a physical Kingdom but a spiritual Kingdom. Many of them thought he was coming to establish a physical Kingdom but that was not why Jesus came. Matthew saw salvation from sin.

So what does Emmanuel means to you? Is it just a name or just another celebration? To me it means a God who cares. He could have just stayed in heaven but he came. What does this earth means to him? He came because he cares.

He is also a God who understands. He went through life like how we will. In all its pains and disappointments. There was not much said about his life when young. Some of the cheeky youths ask me did Jesus fall in love. He understands us. If he was a God that stays in the heavenlies and he say he cares for me, I would ask how would he know? But Jesus went through everything including betrayal. He understands our weaknesses as well. Yet he still came.

Emmanuel also means a God who loves me. By his demonstration on the cross. How would you know God loves you if I ask you this? The Bible tells us so and all of us have experienced it. He bothered to send his one and only son. He went and made himself like man that he can understands me.

He's also Emmanuel, a God who forgives me. I don't know how many times I've failed him but he still forgives. This Christmas has been the busiest for me but wherever I shared I always tell them that God forgives.

I was speaking in USM in their Christmas Celebration event and they had a hall of about 150 people and it was packed, organised by the Christian Fellowship of USM. At first I was not sure because of my timing but I went ahead to go preached.

I shared about Christmas and at the end of it I made an altar call. Sometimes in my heart I still say what happens if nobody comes out? But I still made an altar call. This is USM with thinking people who questions. When I made the call, there were four that came out for salvation and I was surprised. That was the last place I'd expect people to come out. They came out and were crying. God still forgives. He came to offer us the forgiveness of sin.

Doesn't matter how well they looked on the outside, everyone who does not know Jesus  is not complete. They came out and gave their lives. God is just awesome.

Emmanuel is also a God that has saved me. I've tasted of his goodness. He is a God that saves and offers each and everyone of us the gift of salvation. In God we have everything. He who has the son has everything.

What does Emmanuel means to you church? That you have to sort it out. That you'll have an answer. What does Emmanuel means to you? What does God with us means to you? What does Christmas means to you?

For Isaiah it was hope. For Matthew it was salvation. For you, what does Emmanuel means to you?