These thoughts probably aren’t original, but they were the ones I had while reading Matthew 2 this morning. Matthew 2 is all about the responses to the news of Jesus’ birth.

1. Herod was threatened by the news of Jesus’ birth

Matthew 2:1-3
Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, [2] “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled…

Herod did not want to submit to Christ’s Kingship and sought to kill Him. Jesus threatens my power, because Jesus was born King to rule over every square inch of the universe (and my life).

2. Jerusalem was troubled by the news of Jesus’ birth

Matthew 2:3
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Jerusalem was troubled along with Herod. It’s ironic, because one would think that Jerusalem—the locus of the Jewish people—would desire her King to be born. But no. She was troubled by the news. She really did not want a Messiah. She was happy with the status quo.

3. The wise men were joyous

Matthew 2:10
When the magi saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Don’t miss the pile of adjectives here. They didn’t just rejoice. But they rejoiced “exceedingly” and greatly. In other words: they partied. Does the news of Jesus’ birth bring you joy? Great, exceeding, over-the-top, joy?

4. Joseph simply obeyed God’s Word

Every time God’s Word came to Joseph in a dream, he would simply get up and obey.

Matthew 2:13-14
[13] Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” [14] So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.

Matthew 2:19-21
[19] But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, [20] “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” [21] So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:22-23
[22] But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, [23] and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. 

Matthew 2 provokes in me this question:

What’s my typical response to Jesus?

What’s yours?