Today we will explore a negative character associated with the birth of Christ, the villain, Herod. Historians tell us that he was a power-hungry ruler over the Jews in Israel in the time before Christ. He was arrogant, and insisted on being called “Herod the Great.” He was known as a schemer who took advantage of the Roman political unrest to maneuver his way to the top.
This man was all about self, and the power he could gain. He sought to destroy anyone or anything that would stand in his way. When he heard that the Messiah, the king of the Jews was born, he became angry and sought to find the child. His goal was to eliminate anything or anyone that stood in his way. Herod saw this tiny baby as a threat. He sought to have him killed. He was a ruthless ruler and obviously very paranoid. Any threat to his kingship threw him into a frenzy.
Matthew 2:1-3 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.”
The Wise Men met King Herod. He gave the commission to the Wise men to find this child and bring him news of his whereabouts afterward. He called all the chief priests and scribes together to demand them to tell him where Christ was born. When the wise men found Jesus, they were moved and believed He was the Christ child. After they found Jesus, God warned them in a dream to avoid Herod, so they returned to their countries by another route. These men sought Jesus and God led them to find Him.
Matthew 2:7-12 “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
Herod was so angry because he felt the threat was real for his kingdom to be overthrown. So much so that he ordered all boy babies below the age of two to be killed. This villain was not only ruthless in his quest to remain king but he also had the political power to do it. Yet, all the power in the world can’t outsmart God!
Matthew 2:16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”
God had a plan from before time began and no one can change that. Joseph was warned in a dream by an angel that the life of Jesus was in danger, and he was to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt, to escape Herod.
There will always be opposition to God and His plan, but we need to seek His will and follow. Many people are like Herod. They may not have the power to get rid of those in their way, but they manipulate to get what they want. Like a spoiled child, most people seek their own way and try to add God into the plan, but God wants us to seek His way first. To have the desire to please him above everything else. It is only when we seek him first, that we will be totally at peace with who we are and where we are in life. When we live life any other way we are in opposition to God. We are no different than Herod, just more sophisticated than Herod about how we get our way.
Truly, Herod was the villain of his time, but we too are villains when we seek to find God and use Him for personal gain. Are you one of those people who only pray when you have a need? Do you go to church b to use it as a marketing tool to connect with people? Are you like a lot of famous people or politicians who go to church because you think it makes you look good? Do you go to church out of habit, checking the box of the “good things” to do? If so, you are the villain of Christmas! You are seeking to use God for your benefit, doing things your way, and wanting God to bless them.
This Christmas seek him above everything else. Take time to be alone with Him, and think about all the gifts he has given you. Take time to share his love with those who don’t know Him. Keep the main thing the main thing. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, now is the time to start. For all who seek Him from a pure heart will find Him. That includes you. It was not an accident that you came face to face with these questions today. God is still seeking those who will be wise enough to follow Him.
