Veiled Rival - Matthew 2:1-18 - Veiled - Rev. Shawn Slate - December 16, 2018

MATTHEW 2:1-18

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, 2 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.” 3 When Herod

the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the

chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O

Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from

you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the

wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he

sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have

found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king,

they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before

them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 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. 12 And being warned in a dream not to

return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 13 Now when they had

departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take

the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about

to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother

by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was

to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 Then

Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent

and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or

under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled

what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and

loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because

they are no more.”