JEALOUSY KILLS

READ: Matthew 2:1-12

ANSWER THIS: How does it make you feel when someone’s better than you at something you enjoy doing?

THE BREAKDOWN

It was probably about a 900-mile journey for the wise men to travel from the “eastern lands” to Jerusalem. But, they had seen an event in the skies so extraordinary, they were willing to leave the comfort of home to take the difficult trip.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, they inquire where the king of the Jews was born. Word gets back to King Herod that foreigners are asking about a newborn king, and that leaves Herod and all of Jerusalem troubled. Herod’s reputation for paranoia and revenge was well-known. So, the prophecy of a new king would make him feel threatened. And, when he felt threatened, he had a nasty reputation for taking it out on his subjects.

In response to his questions about the Messiah (the term used in prophecies about the person who would one day free his people from bondage), the local priests and religious teachers tell Herod the child would be born in Bethlehem. So, Herod shares that information with the wise men. He then tries to deceive them by asking them to report back to him when they find the child. He says he wants to worship the child... when what he really intends to do is kill him. His paranoia and jealousy outweigh any desire to pay tribute to this newborn king.

The wise men go on their way, and with the help of a star, find the child with his parents. They present him with gold (a gift suitable for a king), frankincense (an incense used in the worship of God), and myrrh (a spice used for burials—a foreshadowing gift, symbolic of suffering).

Afterward, the wise men are warned in a dream about Herod’s intention to kill the boy Jesus, so they take another route home.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Rather than secure his rule, Herod’s vengeful nature led to grim consequences.

History shows he was mentally unstable and prone to violent attacks of jealousy. His suspicious nature led him to turn against one of his ten wives, even though he was deeply in love with her. In great pain and mental and physical distress, Herod murdered her, along with her two sons, her brother, her grandfather, and her mother.

After contracting an agonizing disease, Herod unsuccessfully attempted suicide. Medical analysis of historical records concludes that Herod died an excruciatingly painful death from kidney disease, complicated by maggot-infested gangrene.

You might say he died of paranoia and jealousy.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Are you jealous when you see someone excelling beyond you in something you enjoy doing? Don’t be. It will only eat you up. Instead, appreciate the gifts God has given the other person, and encourage them, rather than wishing them to fail.

PRAYER

“Lord, sometimes I can’t help being jealous of others. Especially when they’re better at something than I am. Give me an appreciation for the abilities You’ve given others, and a desire to encourage them in their God-given talents and gifts.”