LESSON: Matthew 2.1-6 NRSVA

SERMON TITLE: The Terror of the Terrible

INTRODUCTION:

1. A young boy moved with his family to a new community and church. The Sunday School class required each student to give a memory verse to the entire congregation.
1. The boy was given the verse from Matthew 14:27: "It is I, don't be afraid."
2. The boy was nervous about speaking in front of so many people, so he avoided learning his verse as long as he could. Finally, the teacher insisted. Next Sunday, or else he would have to leave the class.
3. His mother and father pitched in to help him. The boy recited the phrase over and over again. He said it in the morning, at the breakfast table, at school, at supper time, and before he went to bed. He wore out everyone with his repetition of the words, "It is I, don't be afraid."
4. Finally, the Sunday School class trooped into the sanctuary. The boy had his eyes closed repeating to himself, "It is I, don't be afraid."
5. Suddenly, it was the boy's turn. He opened his eyes, saw 200 adults staring at him, and he panicked. With nowhere to hide and nowhere to run, he finally blurted out: "It is me, and I'm scared to death!"

MAIN BODY:

1. It's me and I'm scared.
1. We all know feelings of fear.
2. I was a freshman in high school and returning from an Acapella Choir trip late at night was let off the bus about two miles from home.
1. It was dark with little moon. Walking along the quiet country road was manageable.
2. I took a shortcut through the woods to my home.
3. In the dark every noise carried with it a bit of fear.
1. Was it a small animal?
2. Was it something more serious?
3. Was it threatening.
4. Your mind and hearing are alert to very sound.
5. Your imagination is working overtime.
4. Because you cannot see you become afraid.
5. The fear did not leave until I could see the light from home.

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3. We all have had experiences of fear.
1. Some of them are groundless.
2. Some of them are grave and need to be taken seriously.
4. In this passage from the Gospel of Matthew is an occasion for fear.
1. I do not believe that you will ever reach the point where you do not experience some fear.
2. In this passage from the Gospel of Matthew is also a way to understand how one can conquer fear.
2. Why is Herod frightened?
1. He is in a position of great power not only over the territory he rules, but also over the secular and the religious community.
1. He had schemed and controlled.
2. He had banished and murdered
   
   Alfred Edersheim, in his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah writes:

   "After all, this was the Herod who ordered the murder of his wife Mariamne and three of his own sons (Alexander, Aristobulus and Antipas). Little wonder this was the same Herod of whom Augustus declared he would rather be Herod's pig (ois) than his son (oius). In order to ensure that a grief-stricken mood would cover the country when he finally did die, this was the bloodthirsty Herod who left strict orders that one member of every single family would be killed when the news of his death was finally announced." ⁽¹⁾ 

3. He removed any challenger to his throne or to his successors.
4. He had appointed a high priest of his own choosing and who would do his own bidding.
5. He was creative.
1. He finished building the temple which was so magnificently beautiful that it had the admiration of everyone who saw it.
2. He had built or restored beautiful cities.
6. He had the ear and support of the Empire Augustus.
7. He was a friend of Mark Antony and Cleopatra
8. He was surrounded by a loyal staff and military protectors.
9. He had the support of the recognized and influential religious and economic community.
10. During his reign, Jerusalem was rich and filled with the monetary and cultural elite.
11. What more could anyone ask for?
12. There was nothing that would appear to frighten him.
13. Yet one simple question did put fear in his heart and mind.

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2. The question came from the Magi who were on a long and dangerous quest.
1. "Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews," (Matthew 2.2, NRSVA)
3. Why was Herod afraid?
1. He would brook no challengers.
2. He was afraid of his position.
3. He was afraid for the completion of his plans for the future.
4. Not only was Herod afraid, but it also states that the whole city of Jerusalem was afraid, (see Matthew 2.3, NRSVA)
1. Now we realize that it was not the citizens of whole city that were afraid.
2. It was the citizens who were the patrons of Herod and who had profited from his reign.
1. Actually most the citizens hated Herod.
2. The citizens for the sake of wealth and comfort tolerated his rule.
3. Why were the citizens afraid.
1. Would not you also be afraid if your wealth and position were threatened.
5. This is exactly what occurred.
3. But you could believe that the question of the Magi would take a different turn.
1. People longed for the coming of the Messiah.
1. Now at last here is word that indicates that he has been born.
2. The Magi have come to the king's palace seeking their new-born king.
3. Could it be that the Magi expected to find a great celebration.
1. Isn't this the way they understand the information that they have received?
2. Isn't this why they have traveled so far?
3. Isn't this why they bring such costly gifts to offer to the newly born king?
4. The star has stopped over the palace in Jerusalem.
2. In stead of rejoicing there is intrigue.
3. Instead of rejoicing there is fear.
4. Instead of rejoicing there is at the demand of Herod hastily gathered meeting of chief priests and scribes to answer the question of the Magi.

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4. The chief priests and the scribes know the answer to the question.
1. They quote from Micah 5.2
2. 
   ² But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
    
3. They know the place.
4. You have to ask yourselves, Why did they not also quote verses 3-5a
    
   Micah 5:3-5a, NRSVA

   ³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. ⁴ And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth;

   ^5a and he shall be the one of peace.

   1. He shall not be one of war, but of peace.
   2. He will not let his people starve, but feed them like a shepherd.
   3. He will be ultimate responsible for the gathering of his people.
   4. The people will live secure.
   5. For he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
   6. In the strength of the LORD and in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.

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5. It is not only location, but also purpose.
1. It is not only purpose, but the ultimate vision and power to see the purpose to its fulfillment.
2. What a change this could have wrought in the minds of those who were afraid.
6. He was not a threat to the monarchy.
7. He was not a threat to Jerusalem's affluence.
5. Can you begin to understand the politics of the situation?
1. Can you begin to imagine the confusion in the minds of the Magi?
2. Can you begin to understand how we can find ourselves in a fearful situation and find in it the courage to move, to decide, to live?
3. 
   Irma Zaleski, in her book, "The Door to Joy," tells a marvelous story that illustrates this point. ⁽²⁾

   When I was little, in Poland before the War, we used to spend nearly every summer at my grandmother's house in the mountains. She lived alone, in a house built by local craftsmen on the edge of a torrent. The noise of its rushing waters was the background of every moment of our holidays and the first sound of eternity which I learned to hear. My grandmother was the kind of grandmother that everybody should have. She was brilliant and wise, although a little bitter at times. She had lived through wars, revolutions, a bad marriage and the death of two children. What had saved her sanity, I believe, was her love of beauty and a passionate interest in all the things of the mind. She loved literature and art; she was fascinated by science. Above all else, she loved the beauty of the mountains among which she eventually died.

   I must have been 5 or 6 at the time. One night, I was awakened by my grandmother leaning over my bed. There was a noise of a great storm outside. Grandmother picked me up and carried me out onto a big veranda which ran all along the front of the house. "Look!" she said, and turned my face toward the mountains, "Look, this is too beautiful to sleep through." I saw black sky, torn apart every few seconds by lightning, mountains emerging out of darkness, immense, powerful and so real.

   Thunder rolled among the peaks. I was not frightened--how could I be? I was awed. I looked up at my grandmother's face and, in a flash of light, I saw it flooded with wonder and joy. I did not realize it then, of course, but now I do, that what I saw was ecstasy. My grandmother was the first to point out to me a door to joy.

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4. Can you imagine the joy that one may experience if you add to this joy the joy that comes through Christ?
1. It helps one overcome all fear.
2. Listen again to the question of the Magi, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage," (Matthew 2.2, NRSV)
5. In our own lives, "Where is the king of the Jews?"
6. What can he do for us.

CONCLUSION:

1. This a question that plagued Martin Luther.
1. When he had found an answer to his question he wrote the poem that has been set to music.
2. We know it as A Might Fortress.
   

1.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

1. There is no equal.
2. Herod learned this.
3. The religious establishment learned this.
4. The Magi learned this.
5. We can learnt this.
   

2.

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right One on our side
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name,
From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

6. We cannot fight in our own strength, but only in the armor of our Savior.
7. As he won the battle, he will help us to win the battle.

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   3.

   And though this world, with evil filled,
   Should threaten to undo us;
   We will not fear, for God hath willed
   His truth to triumph through us.
   The prince of darkness grim--
   We tremble not for him.
   His rage we can endure,
   For, lo, his doom is sure;
   One little word shall fell him.
    

8. The word is faith, governed by love, and filled with hope.
   

4.

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go--
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.

9. God's truth does abideth still.
10. His kingdom is forever.
11. Where is he who was born to be king of the Jews?
12. He lives in our minds and governs our hearts and saves our lives.

1. We will be strong and courageous.

Amen.

1. Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (See Josephus, Antiquities 17.6.6.)

2. Irma Zaleski, "The Door to Joy," Parabola, Summer 1998, 50.