The Giftનમૂનો

The past two days we learned about the response of the Magi to King Jesus’ birth and king Herod seeking to kill Jesus. The Gentile Magi, who were wealthy and came from a place of high position, sought out Jesus and did not see Him as a threat to their position of authority because they knew and believed that He was the Messiah. However, the king of Israel (Herod) at the time did not respond this way. King Herod was not even ethnically Jewish and was placed in his position by the Romans. He was a false king and had no right to the throne of Israel.

King Herod decreed that any boy in and around Bethlehem, who was two years old and younger was to be killed. This decree by King Herod proved that King Herod was only after one thing: Power. His response was not like the one of the Magi, which was to seek after Jesus, to honor Him, and to worship Him. King Herod proved to be a bad king with selfish ambition to keep the throne. The Magi, who were not even from Israel, responded better to the Birth of the “King of the Jews” than the King of the Jews at the time, Herod.

King Herod was a false king. He had power because the Romans placed him there. Rome and their king wanted to be worshiped as gods but we know that there is only One True King who sits on the Throne.

How often is your response to Jesus like King Herod’s? Is the king of your heart the King of Kings or is it you? You might not be decreeing that innocent children be killed because of a threat to power but are you keeping Jesus from sitting on the throne of your heart?

Unlike King Herod, Jesus is the True King. It is our choice to allow Him to rule over our lives. Some false kings that may be prevalent in your life are relationships that rule over your life, too much time on your phone/social media, sports, or the restless race of academics to be the smartest person. Whatever your false king is, it will always fall short in comparison to the True King.

Jesus wants us to fully surrender the reign of our hearts to Him. He wants you to be captivated in awe and worship Him because He is worthy. Not only did He come to Earth to die for our sins, but He defeated death. If defeating death isn’t King behavior, I don’t know what is!

This season, remember that Jesus is the King of Kings. There is no ruler, president, dictator, or king that will ever be greater than Jesus! He reigns above all and every knee will bow before Him. Surrender your false kings to Him, humble yourself and He will exalt you. Like the Magi, respond with worship and set Him on the throne of your heart.