The trouble with power…
In Matthew 2:1–4 (The Wise Men Visit Jesus) we read:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, p. Mt 2:1–4.
“Herod the Great” was a historical figure who ruled as king over Judea during the time of the birth of Jesus. His reign began in 37 BC and he was known for his architectural accomplishments, including the construction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. However, Herod was also a complex and ruthless ruler (or a psychopathic control freak in today's parlance), marked by political cunning and a fierce determination to maintain his power.
In this section of Matthew, we encounter the narrative of the Magi (or wise men — not Kings as the popular carol would have us believe however Catholic and Armenian traditions give us some extra detail) who came from the East seeking the “king of the Jews” (Remember in the crucifixion of Jesus this is referenced on His cross, at His birth He was proclaimed the King of The Jews and at His death, he was decried as The King Of The Jews) based on a star they had seen (note also they referred to it as HIS STAR not a star). They arrived in Jerusalem, the capital of Judea, and inquired about the whereabouts of the newborn king. This news troubled Herod and all of Jerusalem with him. The fact that all of Jerusalem was troubled is significant. This was due either to the fact that the people of Jerusalem rightly feared what sort of paranoid lunatic outburst might come from Herod upon hearing of a rival king being born, or because of the size and dignity of this caravan from the East that would also upset him as they had not come to pay homage to him.
Herod was not only a political leader but also someone who saw any potential rival as a threat to his reign. The idea of a new king, especially one born with the title “King of the Jews,” would naturally be seen by Herod as a challenge to his authority. He was always on the lookout for those he thought were seeking to undermine him — possibly as a result of his growing paranoia due to illness. He was so paranoid he had his two sons and favourite wife killed because he thought they were trying to oust him!
My Reformed lens here would also be drawn to emphasise the sovereignty of God over all things, especially those of man, and the fulfilment of biblical prophecies. In this context, Herod’s actions unwittingly contribute to the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. The prophet Micah, for example, had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and Herod’s inquiries set the stage for the unfolding of this prophecy.
Interesting side note that “Bethlehem” or “Bet Lehm” in Aramaic means “House of Bread” and of course, Jesus refers to Himself as “The Bread of Life” — in Arabic “Beyt Lahm” (بیت لحم) means “House of meat” — make of that what you will.
In seeking to know the location of the Christ child, Herod’s intentions were far from pure. His ultimate aim was not to worship the newborn king of course, but to eliminate any potential threat to his own rule. This sets the stage for the tragic events that follow in Matthew 2:16–18, the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem (prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15), as Herod attempts to eliminate the perceived rival.
Ultimately, that’s the problem with power — those who seek to keep it shall lose it either by their own doing or that of a wiser/stronger person but ultimately because The Lord wills it.
The way that Herod interacts with the Magi further serves to underscore the contrast between earthly powers driven by self-interest and the divine plan of God, working through seemingly ordinary events to bring about the fulfilment of His redemptive purposes even amid human sin and opposition.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and fill you with all joy this Christmas. If you do not know Jesus, if you are lost and longing for comfort then know that He has walked in your shoes and He alone has the power to save. Call out to Him and be saved.
Gracious Sovereign Lord,
We are sinful, we all have fallen short (Romans 3:23). Yet, in Your mercy, You sent Christ, our Redeemer, born in lowly station to a virgin, to live a sinless life and bear our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Through faith in Him, grant us forgiveness and the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). May we trust in His finished work on the cross at Calvary and confess Him as Lord all the days of our lives, embracing the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9).
In Christ’s name,
Amen.
Art created by Jan van't Hoff and used will full attribution.
Website: Gospelimages (https://www.gospelimages.com/)
