Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. (Matthew 2:7)
What would you do if you were the wealthiest person in human history? Would you buy a nice house, standing on a high hillside overlooking the city? Would you buy influence in the political sphere with gifts of support? Would you travel the world viewing the magnificence of various cultures and their storied histories? What would you do?
Herod was perhaps the wealthiest human who has ever lived. With his wealth he decided to buy a kingdom, a kingdom at the crossroads of human endeavor, a passageway that was central in the formation of civilization. Herod bought the right to become the King of the Jews. Herod continued to use his great wealth to manipulate people into supporting his throne by creating massive building projects that he simply desired or thought would buy him favor with the people he governed through his purchase of power.
Rome seemed happy to have this arrangement because management of the region of Judea grew increasingly difficult. Those people there only believed in one God named JHWH and they were so adamant about their support of their God that they wouldn’t worship any of the Roman pantheon or bow to any Roman procurator.
Herod on several occasions had his kingship contested and according to historians he was willing to quash any uprising against him with devastating violence. Herod would easily shift allegiance from Antony to Octavius if he saw it to his benefit. Herod was willing to put anyone to death he deemed as a threat to his position or authority.
It was this readiness to destroy any contestant to his throne that alerted his attention when the Magi showed up searching for a king. This king was one they were prepared to worship which demonstrated that they believed this king was a deity as well as royalty.
Herod lied to these foreign seekers of the gods and claimed that he too was interested in worshiping this new-born king, but the proof of his heart was in his behavior when these dignitaries didn’t return to Jerusalem after they had worshiped Jesus and offered him their gifts.
In a shocking display of brutality Herod ordered the murder of all the male children in Bethlehem two years of age and younger. The gift of Jesus to the city of David became a tragedy of epic proportions because a wealthy king who was willing to do anything to preserve his power brought chaos to preserve his empire.
When you meet Jesus the Prince of Peace what will you do? Will you bow down and worship him as the king of your heart or will you rise up and establish yourself as the king of your own empire?
Prayer for today:
Jesus you are my King. You are the Lord of my life. To you and you alone I offer my worship. I proclaim you to be my Lord today and forever. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Wes