Three Reactions to the Incarnation

1. The reaction of adoration

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,  during the time of King Herod,  Magi from the east came to Jerusalem   and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star  when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:10-11

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.   On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts  of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

2. The reaction of indignation

Matthew 2:3

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:13

When they had gone, an angel  of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Matthew 2:16-18

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.   Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 

     “A voice is heard in Ramah,

 weeping and great mourning,

 Rachel  weeping for her children

 and refusing to be comforted,

 because they are no more.”

3. The reaction of preoccupation

Matthew 2:5-6

“In Bethlehem  in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

     “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

 are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

 for out of you will come a ruler

 who will shepherd my people Israel.’

[Message No: 7932]