Every Longing HeartSample

An Egomaniac & the True King of the Jews

When the Magi pulled into Jerusalem and asked questions about the newborn King of the Jews, Herod tried to conceal his rising panic. He understood the significance of the wise men’s presence in Jerusalem and knew they didn’t show up just anywhere. They were on a mission to crown the real King of the Jews, and this was a problem.

Caesar Augustus had given Herod the title “King of the Jews” as a return favor to his father, Antipater. Herod wasn’t even Jewish, but Idumean. Regardless of how he received the title, he believed he was the rightful King of the Jews and anyone else who claimed that title was a threat to his throne.

Herod’s reign is still polarizing among historians because he is such a study of extremes. On the one hand, he was a builder without equal. His largest and most significant building project was the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple. No expense was spared in its reconstruction, and even the rabbis, who were not Herod’s biggest fans, often remarked on its unsurpassed beauty.

But on the other hand, whatever good Herod did, was vastly overshadowed by his off-the-charts paranoia and cruelty. Anyone suspected of treason was not safe in his presence, not even his family. When he suspected his favorite wife, Mariamne, and their twin sons wanted to usurp his throne, he had them all killed.

So when Herod heard the news that another King of the Jews had been born, he was threatened and called a secret meeting with the Magi. He instructed them to return word to him of the baby king’s whereabouts so that he could worship him too. But being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the Magi went home a different way.

The sad result of this egomaniac's thirst for power was a murderous rampage. He had all the male children two years old and under killed in Bethlehem.

Herod’s life is an example of an ongoing cosmic power struggle between light and darkness. From an earthly perspective, Herod wanted to eliminate any competition for his throne. But from a spiritual perspective, this was the work of Satan, trying to kill the serpent-crusher, Jesus Christ. (Gen 3:15).

If Christ were not King of kings and Lord of lords, would he remain such a threat to the kingdoms of this world? The fact that 2,000 years later, the world still cannot ignore the King of the Jews born in Jerusalem further proves his Kingship!

Herod has come and gone, and so have many other rulers. While Jesus remains a threat to earthly kingdoms, nothing can thwart the advancement of the Kingdom of God. There is one King, and his name is Jesus. The obvious response to his coming is to bow down and worship him.

• How does Jesus’ birth threaten kingdoms and rulers today?
• How does Jesus’ birth threaten my willingness to let him rule and reign in my life?