It Matters What You Seek

The “Legendary Lives/Life-Changing Lessons” Series

KING HEROD AND THE MAGI: IT MATTERS WHAT YOU SEEK

(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

A. The Legendary Lives

“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 in the east and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

1. King Herod: a , , political ruler appointed by Rome to govern Israel.

2. The Magi: foreign , on a continual for new ideas and experiences.

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

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law,

he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘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 be the shepherd of my people Israel.”’

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child.

As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east

went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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 worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:3-11)

3. King Herod was “”, while the Magi were “”.

B. The Life-Changing Lesson

Today’s “Big Idea…”

What you life, determines your life.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;

or about your body, what you will wear… For the pagans run after these things,

and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and

his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:25a, 32-33)