Introduction
When we think of royalty or heroes, we imagine grandeur—palaces, crowns, and processions. Yet, history and Scripture tell us that greatness often arises from the most unexpected places. Think of David, a shepherd boy who became king, or Esther, an orphan who saved her people. These stories remind us of God’s habit of working through the humble to accomplish His purposes.
Today, we begin a series titled Discovering the Kingdom of Heaven. In this series, we’ll explore how God’s Kingdom, established through Jesus, challenges human expectations. We start by focusing on Jesus’ unlikely beginning—a King born in a manger.
The circumstances surrounding His birth don’t resemble the majesty of earthly kingship. Yet, in this humble story, we encounter the transformative love of God. Let’s reflect on what makes Jesus uniquely suited to be the Savior of the world.
I. This New Kingdom Starts With The Arrival of a New King
The story of Jesus’ birth is remarkable. Matthew 1:22-23 recounts:
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”
The name Immanuel—God with us—is the foundation of hope for all humanity. Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah declared:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus’ arrival as a vulnerable baby demonstrates God’s willingness to enter our brokenness. The King of the universe didn’t choose a palace but a manger. His humanity allowed Him to experience our pain, struggles, and joys firsthand.
“6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” – (Isaiah 9:6-7) ESV
This truth reminds us that we need a Savior. The sin that binds us cannot be overcome by our strength. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to rescue us. His name, Immanuel, signifies that He is not a distant ruler but a present, personal Savior.
II. The Arrival of a New King Brings Disruption
Jesus’ birth was not only humble—it was disruptive. Matthew 2:1-3 tells us:
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
King Herod was deeply threatened by the news of Jesus’ birth. The word “troubled” here conveys agitation and fear. Why? Because Jesus’ arrival challenged the status quo. His Kingdom of righteousness, justice, and love upends earthly power structures.
Even today, following Jesus brings disruption. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus says:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
This “sword” is not a call to violence but a metaphor for the division that arises when people confront the truth of His Kingdom. Following Jesus often requires painful sacrifices—cutting ties with sin, relationships, or habits that hinder spiritual growth. His arrival brought both hope and disruption, inviting us to choose His Kingdom over the fleeting comforts of the world.
III. A King Is Worthy of Sacrifice
Throughout history, kings have been honored with gifts and sacrifices. Genesis 14 records Abram giving a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Similarly, the Magi’s gifts to Jesus were offerings of worship.
Matthew 2:11 tells us:
“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
The wise men’s journey and gifts remind us that Jesus is worthy of our greatest sacrifices. As Luke 1:32-33 declares:
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
The Gifts of the Wise Men
The wise men recognized Jesus’ significance and traveled far to worship Him. When they found Him, they presented three specific gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Each gift holds profound symbolism, reflecting the nature of Jesus and His mission:
1. Gold: A symbol of kingship, representing Jesus as the King of kings and rightful ruler over all creation (cf. Revelation 19:16). Gold acknowledges His sovereignty and fulfills prophecies of His eternal reign (Isaiah 9:6-7).
2. Frankincense: A symbol of divinity, used in temple worship to signify prayers and communion with God. It points to Jesus’ role as our High Priest, mediating between humanity and God (Hebrews 4:14).
3. Myrrh: A symbol of sacrifice, used in burial practices and foreshadowing Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. It speaks to His role as the Suffering Savior who would die for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5, John 19:39-40).
These gifts show that Jesus is not just a child born in a manger but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan—our King, our God, and our Sacrifice.
These gifts encapsulate Jesus’ identity as King, God, and Savior.
What can we offer to Jesus today? While gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize honor and worship, the most meaningful gift we can give is our lives—our time, resources, and obedience.
Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice:
“Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
If Jesus gave up the glory of heaven to save us, what sacrifice is too great for us to make in return?
Conclusion
The story of Jesus’ birth is remarkable and unexpected. Born in a manger to a young mother, He came not in majesty but in humility. Yet His unlikely beginnings reveal the heart of God—Immanuel, God with us, who enters our brokenness to redeem us.
Jesus is the King we desperately need. His arrival disrupted the world, but His Kingdom offers hope, peace, and eternal life. Will you accept His invitation to follow Him today?