“A stir begins as soon as Christ is born. He has not spoken a word; he has not wrought a miracle; he has not proclaimed a single doctrine ... still his influence upon the world is manifest." (Charles Spurgeon)
"Although they are the very aristocracy of God, his chosen people, yet the nations looked down upon the Jews." (Spurgeon)
"It is a strange thing for a baby to be born a king. Usually they are princes for a long time before they are kings." (David Guzik) 'His kingly status was not conferred on him later on; it was from birth.'" (D.A. Carson)
"... it is significant that God met them in their own medium: He guided the astronomers by a star." (David Guzik)
"[William] Barclay reminds us of what a bloody, violent ruler Herod was: 'He had no sooner come to the throne than he began by annihilating the Sanhedrin … he slaughtered three hundred court officers … he murdered his wife Mariamne, and her mother Alexandra, his eldest son Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander and Aristobulus.'" (Guzik)
"When the earth-king dabbles in theology ... " (Spurgeon) [Whew, I love that phrasing!]
"... gold speaks of royalty, incense speaks of divinity, and myrrh speaks of death ..." (Guzik)
"The precious gifts were not presented to Mary or Joseph, but to Jesus Himself. Yet undeniably, the infant Jesus did not use or spend any of these precious gifts, but His parents used them, hopefully wisely, on His behalf and benefit. In the same way, when we give to Jesus today, we do not give to Him directly, but to His people, who use those gifts on His behalf and benefit – and hopefully wisely." (Guzik)
"More important than their gifts is the fact that they worshipped Jesus." (Guzik)
3 possible responses to Jesus represented in this Biblical account: hatred, indifference, and worship (sometimes at great cost)
"Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him will worship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance to him." (Spurgeon)
"... worship is also manifested in obedience ..." (Guzik)
"He worked His trade, supported His family, loved His God, and proved Himself utterly faithful in a thousand small things before He formally entered His appointed ministry." (Guzik)
