3 Thoughts About the Gift of the King (Matthew 2:1–12) explains how God promised Jesus, led seekers to Him, and calls every heart to worship and honor Christ as King with faith, obedience, and joy.
Key Takeaways – Sermon From Matthew 2:1-12
- God keeps His promises. Jesus came exactly as Scripture foretold, reminding us that God’s Word stands firm even when circumstances feel uncertain.
- How we respond to Jesus matters. Some ignored the King, while others sought Him with faith, teaching us that truth calls for action, not indifference.
- God guides sincere seekers. Just as the star led the wise men, God still leads willing hearts through His Word and faithful obedience.
- True worship begins with surrender. The wise men bowed before Jesus, showing that worship flows from humility and trust in Christ’s authority.
- Honoring the King shapes daily life. Costly gifts and obedient steps remind us to offer Jesus our time, devotion, and faithful obedience each day.
3 Thoughts About the Gift of the King
God’s greatest gift arrived exactly as God promised, revealing a King who deserves first place above all else. Heaven announced His coming, Scripture confirmed His identity, and history revealed His birth. Matthew shows us that God keeps His word and presents His King with purpose, even when the world fails to recognize His coming and importance.
Because God has revealed His promised King, people responded in different ways. Some felt troubled, others stayed indifferent, and a few followed the light. Those same responses still appear today. Every heart must decide how it will respond to the Gift of the King.
This passage now invites us to reflect on God’s promise, our pursuit, and our worship. As we walk through this account together, God calls us to see Jesus clearly, trust His purpose, and respond faithfully.
1. The King Is Promised (Matthew 2:1–6)
The opening verses show that Jesus did not arrive unexpectedly; God announced His coming long before He appeared.
A. He Is Declared (vv. 1–5)
God declared the birth of the King through His written Word long before the wise men arrived in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes did not guess or speculate. They opened the Scriptures and pointed clearly to Bethlehem. God spoke plainly, and His promises stood firm across generations.
This reminds us that faith grows when we trust what God has already revealed. The wise men followed the light (the Star) they received, while others ignored what they knew. Today, God still declares truth through His Word. When confusion rises, Scripture continues to point hearts to Christ.
B. He Is Destined (v. 6)
God destined Jesus to rule as the Shepherd King promised through the prophet Micah. Bethlehem seemed small and overlooked, yet God chose it as the birthplace of greatness. God planned the King’s arrival with purpose, authority, and compassion for His people.
This gives hope to believers who feel unseen or insignificant. God often works through quiet places and ordinary lives. Jesus rules with care, not cruelty, and He guides His people like a shepherd. When God appoints a purpose (Matthew 1:21), nothing can stop its fulfillment.
This material provides some ideas and thoughts for a sermon from Matthew 2:1-2 (3 Thoughts About the Gift of the King).
2. The King Is Pursued (Matthew 2:7–10)
The middle section reveals contrasting responses to the King’s arrival—indifference from some and determination from others.
A. He Is Ignored (vv. 1–6)
The priests and scribes knew the Scriptures and could name the place of the King’s birth, yet they took no steps to seek Him. Knowledge stayed in their heads and never reached their hearts. Herod feared losing power, and Jerusalem felt disturbed rather than devoted. Truth confronted them, but response never followed.
Many people still hear God’s Word weekly without acting on it. Some feel troubled like Herod, while others grow indifferent like the scribes. Familiar truth can become background noise when comfort matters more than obedience. Scripture warns us that knowing truth without faith hardens the heart.
B. He Is Sought (vv. 7–10)
The wise men followed the light God gave them with patience and joy. They did not demand every answer at once. They trusted God step by step, and the star led them exactly where the King waited. Their search brought deep joy, not frustration, because obedience always leads closer to Christ.
Believers today walk by the same principle of faith. God guides willing hearts through His Word, His Spirit, and His promises. When life feels dark, faithful pursuit still brings light. Those who seek Christ sincerely will always find Him faithful and near.
3. The King Is Presented (Matthew 2:11–12)
The final verses show the proper response when people truly encounter the King.
A. He Is Worshiped (v. 11a)
When the wise men entered the house, they fell down before Jesus. They did not bow out of habit or culture. They bowed because they recognized His royal authority and divine worth. Their posture spoke louder than words and declared that Jesus deserved full surrender.
True worship still begins with humility of heart. We bow before Christ when we acknowledge His right to rule our lives. Worship happens when pride falls and faith rises. Like the wise men, we meet Jesus not as equals, but as subjects who trust His kingship.
B. He Is Honored (vv. 11b–12)
The wise men opened their treasures and gave costly gifts fit for a King. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh reflected honor, devotion, and surrender. They offered what mattered most, not what remained after convenience. Their gifts revealed hearts shaped by reverence and obedience.
Believers honor Christ today by offering lives, not objects. We give Him time, obedience, and trust, especially when following Him costs comfort. God also warned the wise men to return another way, and they obeyed without delay. True honor always follows God’s direction.
Conclusion
God promised the King, and He kept His word without delay or failure. He guided seekers with light and revealed His Son at the right moment. His promises still stand firm for every believer today.
Some ignored the King, while others sought Him with joy. The wise men followed the light they had until it led them to Jesus. God still rewards hearts that seek Him with faith and obedience.
The King deserves worship, honor, and surrender. When we bow before Christ, we find peace, direction, and hope. Trust God’s promise, seek His Son, and honor Him with your life.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our promised King. Thank You for keeping Your Word and guiding seeking hearts to the Savior.
Help us respond with faith, obedience, and joy. Teach us to worship Christ humbly and honor Him daily with our lives. Strengthen our trust in Your promises, especially in difficult days. May we follow You faithfully and live for the glory of our Lord and King. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main message of Matthew 2:1–12?
A: Matthew 2:1–12 shows that God promised the coming King, guided those who sought Him, and calls all people to worship and honor Jesus Christ.
Q: Why did some people ignore Jesus at His birth?
A: Some people ignored Jesus because Scripture knowledge did not lead to faith or action. Familiar truth failed to produce obedience or worship.
Q: Who were the wise men and why did they seek Jesus?
A: The wise men were Gentile seekers who followed God’s light faithfully, believing the King was worth the journey and joyful pursuit.
Q: What do the gifts of the wise men represent?
A: The gifts expressed honor, devotion, and surrender, showing that Jesus deserved worship as King, not casual acknowledgment.
Q: How should believers respond to Jesus today?
A: Believers respond by trusting God’s promises, seeking Christ through His Word, and honoring Him with worship, obedience, and daily devotion.
| Number | Main Point | Bible Verse | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The King Is Promised | Matthew 2:1–6 | God fulfilled His written promises by sending Jesus as the promised King at the appointed place and time. |
| 2 | The King Is Pursued | Matthew 2:7–10 | God leads sincere seekers to Christ while exposing hearts that respond with fear, trouble, or indifference. |
| 3 | The King Is Presented | Matthew 2:11–12 | True faith responds to Jesus with worship, honor, obedience, and a life changed by His kingship. |
Bonus: Why is Jesus called the King in Matthew 2:1-12?
Jesus is called the King in Matthew 2:1–12 because God fulfilled His promises about a ruler from David’s line. The wise men recognized His royal identity and asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Scripture pointed clearly to Bethlehem, showing that God planned this King’s arrival and authority long before His birth.
Jesus also acted as King by receiving worship and honor. The wise men bowed before Him and offered costly gifts fit for royalty. Herod feared losing power because Jesus held true authority. This passage shows that Jesus rules by God’s design and deserves worship, obedience, and trust from every heart.
Bonus: Why Did Some People Ignore Jesus When He Was Born?
Some people ignored Jesus at His birth because truth did not move their hearts. The priests and scribes knew the Scriptures and could name the birthplace of the King, yet they refused to seek Him. Knowledge stayed theoretical, and fear or comfort blocked faith. Herod felt threatened, and the people felt troubled rather than trusting God’s promise.
Many still ignore Jesus for similar reasons today. Familiar truth can lose urgency when obedience costs something. Some fear losing control, while others feel unsettled by God’s authority. Matthew 2 shows that ignoring Jesus never comes from lack of evidence but from unwilling hearts that resist surrender.
Bonus: How Should Believers Respond to the Gift of Jesus Today?
Believers should respond to the gift of Jesus by trusting God’s promises and seeking Christ with sincere faith. Like the wise men, we follow the light God gives through His Word and Spirit. Faith moves us beyond knowledge into action. When we pursue Jesus daily, we discover joy, direction, and peace that the world cannot provide.
Believers also respond by worshiping and honoring Jesus as King. We bow our hearts in humility and offer our lives in obedience. Worship shapes daily choices, relationships, and priorities. When we honor Christ through faithful living, we reflect His rule and point others to the hope found in Him.