Understanding the Bible 16: A New King of the Jews??? – Wise Men, Herod & Jesus’s Escape to Egypt

A sermon from Canvas:  05 January 2014 The story of the magi is foundational to Matthew's Gospel both historically and symbolically.  Historically it places Jesus's early life in the larger context of the reign of Herod the Great, and sets the stage for a confrontation between three kingdoms:  Rome, Jerusalem, and the "kingdom of God" (a topic we will explore in much greater detail in the weeks to come).  Symbolically, the recognition of Jesus' kingship by "wise men" (literally "magi" - referri...