前言：一根铁钉
一、自己作王
1.希律王（V1-8，16-18）
a）担心被取代（v1-4）
大希律深知犹太人正迫切期待弥赛亚的降临。当听到弥赛亚已经诞生，觉得王位受到威胁，因此心里不安。
在职场上，会因同事办事能力出众而担心被取代吗？在教会的服事中，会因所带领的团队队员能力突出而感到被威胁？当我们的权利和地位受到挑战时，会不会也像希律王那样感到心里不安？若神的计划与所期待不同时，我们会不会像希律一样，感到自己的‘掌控权’被剥夺，心里不安而决定自己起来作王呢？
b）密谋杀掉主（v5-8）
为了巩固自己的政治地位与王权，又不想得罪盼望弥赛亚的犹太人，向来残暴成性的大希律想出了一个诡计，要除掉耶稣。他暗暗地召见博士，差他们去伯利恒，要他们探明耶稣诞生的确切位置后回来报告。他假意说要去拜主，目的其实是要骗取基督的下落之后把祂杀掉。
我们会不会为了巩固自己的地位或维护自己的权利而暗暗地做一些见不得光的事？欺哄或利用他人来达成自己的诡计？又或许像希律一样，以敬拜神的名义，做不法之事，使基督的名受损，绊倒非信徒？
2.合城的人（v3b）
为什么这些一直期待弥赛亚到来的百姓也感到不安呢？
a）不想安逸生活被打乱
百姓不安是因为他们以为弥赛亚只是地上的王，要与希律王争权夺位和推翻罗马政府。两王相争、打仗，社会动荡，殃及的一定是百姓。他们不希望自己安逸的生活被破坏。更惧怕自己的生命、财产、地位将会受损，所以不安。
我们是否会因为不想安逸舒适的生活被打乱，而不愿意让主在生命的某些层面作王呢？比如婚姻、家庭、时间、金钱等！
b）对圣灵作为不感兴趣
神没有让天上的星直接把博士们带去伯利恒，却是停在耶路撒冷上方，是特意要惊动合城的人。但从博士来见希律到所有2岁以内的儿童被杀，时间相隔了2年。但圣经没有记下他们一点尊崇弥赛亚的记录。也没人起来寻找祂。
我们对主圣灵在这期间所要做的事感兴趣吗？对主的再来我们是否天天儆醒的预备呢？
3.祭司长和文士（V5-6)
祭司长和文士有满头脑关于弥赛亚的知识，也教导百姓救主会来。但当耶稣真的在伯利恒出生了，他们却无动于衷。难怪百姓对主的到来如此冷淡。
当牧者、领袖、组长、父母，不渴慕的时候，很自然也会影响所牧养的人。
此外，这些宗教领袖对神的事空有头脑的知识，心却远离神。跟神也没有关系的信仰是死的。
二、让主作王
让我们来看2组让耶稣在生命里作王的人：
1.东方博士（V1-2, 9-12）
东方博士一看到天上的星，知道救主已经诞生，就长途跋涉的来到耶路撒冷来朝拜这位新生王。并在耶稣出生后的将近2年的时间里，没有停止寻找耶稣，终于见到了救主。
东方博士们寻找和敬拜主的记载，带给我们的属灵功课：
a）跟随圣灵： 有属天的启示和圣灵明确的带领
b）肯付代价： 长途跋涉的来寻找神且献上贵重的礼物
c）敬畏神： 特地来朝见主。献黄金、乳香、没药给主，代表他们承认主是君王
d）正确信仰： 俯伏拜那孩子，而不是拜马利亚
e）顺服听从： 绝对遵从主的指示，顺服神的带领
f）不走回头路： 寻见主后不走回头路
2.约瑟（V13-15, 19-23）
主的使者在梦中指示约瑟带着耶稣和马利亚逃往埃及。约瑟当夜就走，他对神的顺服是立即的。
a）立即顺服神的主权（V13-15）
约瑟对神绝对顺服。神怎么说，他就怎么做。他的顺服使一家人避开了杀身之祸。不但如此，他生活的每一步主都愿意给予引导。这是何等蒙福。
对神的带领要敏锐，并迅速以顺服回应。即使眼前的情况不明朗，知道神掌权。
b）全然降服神的计划（v19-23）
纵使加利利和拿撒勒是犹太人所轻视的地方，约瑟依然顺服前往，并在那里住下。
约瑟的顺服提醒我们，不是我们要神来参与我们的计划，而是我们要全然进入祂的计划。这是一种完全降服的信仰生活，也是与神同行的秘诀。
c）作应验预言的器皿（v15 & v23）
当约瑟按神的吩咐去做时，V15 & 23提到‘这是要应验主藉先知所说的话’。顺服神的人能被神使用，成为应验先知预言的器皿。有份参与耶稣基督成就全人类的永恒救赎计划。
总结：
为寻找耶稣付上代价的人，必定寻见祂。
真正相信耶稣的人，必蒙神的保守引领。
在生命的每个回应里，选择不要自己作王，而是让耶稣全然在我们的生命里作王。
Matthew 2: Do Not Make Ourself King
Introduction: A Nail
I. Making Yourself King
1. Herod the King (v.1–8, 16–18)
a) Fear of being replaced (v.1–4):
Herod the Great knew that the Jewish people were eagerly awaiting the Messiah. When he heard that the Messiah had been born, he felt threatened and became deeply troubled.
In the workplace, do you ever feel uneasy when a colleague excels in their role? In ministry, do you feel threatened when team members show outstanding abilities? When our authority or position is challenged, do we, like Herod, feel unsettled? If God’s plans differ from our expectations, do we struggle with the fear of losing control and decide to take matters into our own hands?
b) Plotting to kill the Lord (v.5–8):
To secure his political power and avoid angering the Jews who longed for the Messiah, Herod, known for his cruelty, devised a cunning plan to eliminate Jesus. He secretly summoned the wise men, instructing them to find Jesus in Bethlehem and report back to him. Although he claimed he wanted to worship Jesus, his true intent was to kill Him.
Do we ever secretly do things to safeguard our positions or rights? Do we deceive or exploit others to achieve our own goals? Or, like Herod, do we misuse the name of God to justify wrongful actions, thereby tarnishing Christ’s reputation and causing others to stumble?
2. The People of Jerusalem (v.3b)
Why were the people, who had been eagerly awaiting the Messiah, also troubled?
a) Fear of disrupted comfort:
The people feared that the Messiah, whom they mistakenly thought would be an earthly king, would clash with Herod and overthrow the Roman government. They worried that the ensuing conflict would disrupt society, endanger their lives, and damage their possessions and status.
Do we hesitate to let Christ reign over certain areas of our lives—such as marriage, family, time, or finances—because we fear losing comfort?
b) Lack of interest in the Spirit’s work:
God did not guide the wise men directly to Bethlehem but instead caused the star to stop over Jerusalem to stir the people. However, from the time the wise men met Herod until Herod’s massacre of children two years later, there is no record of the people seeking or honoring the Messiah.
Are we interested in what the Holy Spirit is doing in our time? Do we remain vigilant and prepared for the Lord’s return?
3. The Chief Priests and Scribes (v.5–6):
The chief priests and scribes had extensive knowledge about the Messiah and taught the people that the Savior would come. Yet, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, they were indifferent. No wonder the people were also indifferent to His arrival.
As pastors, leaders, cell group leaders, or parents, our lack of spiritual fervor can naturally influence those we lead.
Furthermore, these religious leaders had head knowledge of God but hearts far from Him. Faith that lacks a relationship with God is dead.
II. Letting the Lord Be King
Let’s examine two groups who allowed Jesus to reign in their lives:
1. The Wise Men from East (v.1–2, 9–12):
When the wise men saw the star, they knew the Savior had been born. They travelled a great distance to worship the new born King and continued seeking Him for nearly two years until they found Him.
The wise men’s actions teach us several spiritual lessons:
a) Following the Spirit: They received heavenly revelation and followed the Spirit’s leading.
b) Paying the price: They travelled far and brought costly gifts.
c) Revering God: They came specifically to worship the Lord, offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh, acknowledging Him as King.
d) Correct worship: They worshiped Jesus, not Mary.
e) Obedience: They obeyed God’s instructions and followed His guidance.
f) No turning back: After finding Jesus, they did not return the way they came.
2. Joseph (v.13–15, 19–23):
When God’s angel instructed Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt, Joseph obeyed immediately.
a) Immediate obedience to God’s sovereignty (v.13–15):
Joseph obeyed God without hesitation, protecting his family from danger. Moreover, God guided him at every step, showing the blessings of absolute obedience.
We must remain sensitive to God’s leading and respond swiftly in obedience, trusting that He is in control, even when circumstances are unclear.
b) Full submission to God’s plan (v.19–23):
Even though Galilee and Nazareth were despised places, Joseph submitted and made his home there.
Joseph’s obedience reminds us that it’s not about asking God to join our plans but about fully surrendering to His. This is the key to a life of faith and walking with God.
c) Becoming a vessel for prophecy fulfilment (v.15 & 23):
By following God’s instructions, Joseph fulfilled prophecies, playing a role in God’s eternal plan of salvation for humanity.
Conclusion:
Those who seek Jesus with all their heart will surely find Him.
Those who truly believe in Jesus will experience God’s protection and guidance.
In every area of life, let us choose not to make ourselves king but to let Jesus reign fully.
