Matthew begins by telling the story of Jesus' birth, including the many reactions of different players in the community around him at the time of his arrival. In Matthew 2, we learn that Jesus has been born and the Magi, or Wise Men, have arrived in Jerusalem.
These men have enough status and influence that their first stop is to chat with King Herod. Upon meeting Herod, they report that they are on a mission to locate the long-anticipated King of the Jews. Their study of the night skies and knowledge of Scripture (Numbers 24:17) had brought them to discover the Messiah’s star shining bright. They could not wait to pack their bags to faithfully journey towards the light in order to worship the Savior.
Once Herod heard the news that the Scriptures were being fulfilled, that a child was born in the land of Judah who would shepherd the Israelites (verse 3), Herod became disturbed along with others in Jerusalem. He drew up a plan to eliminate this threat and ordered that all boys in Bethlehem and the vicinity under the age of two were to be killed (verse 16). He based this decree on the Scriptures that the Chief Priests had pointed him to, stating the child would be born in Bethlehem (verse 6). This tragic response brought great sorrow to those who lost a child, but also fulfilled prophecies from Jeremiah that there would be great weeping by the women (verse 17).
In Matthew, we see various responses from King Herod, the Wise Men, the Chief Priests and Scribes, and those who lived in Jerusalem to the news that the Messiah had been born. Immediately, we note that the Wise Men understood the moment in history and worshiped the King the way we all should. Their faith is a model for how we should respond to the news of a Savior and King.
What can we learn though from the response of King Herod? He is the bad guy in the story, but we see that he responds to Jesus’ coming without hesitation. Here are some lessons we can learn from Herod’s belief:
The first thing that stands out about Herod’s response to the news that the one true King had been born is that he immediately went to God’s word to verify if the claim was valid. He seeks out the chief priests and scribes and tells them what these foreign men are claiming. These learned men know the Scriptures front and back, and were able to give a quick response. They knew exactly where the King would be born and that the pilgrimage of the Magi was an indication that now was the time or the Savior.
Their feedback confirmed to King Herod that this story was real. The Scriptures were a truth that even a power-hungry king with no reason to believe God’s story regarded as reliable. God’s written Word had power and was respected.
When uncertainty rises up in our lives, where do we go to find truth? Do we investigate the Scriptures, or read the news? Do we find a self-help program, or do we seek out truth from pastors and other spiritual leaders? Herod went to the right place to get the information he needed to make a decision.
Interestingly, we don’t see these esteemed priests and scribes go out to find the baby to worship, even after confirming what the Scriptures said and hearing of the arrival of the Magi. They remain distant, and while they know the truth they are not changed or moved by it.
We see King Herod respond with grief and fear because he believes the Scriptures to be true. The King secretly seeks to find the baby, but when the Magi never reports back with his whereabouts, he enacts a much more sinister plan. Nonetheless, he has faith that the God of the Jews would do what he said he would do.
There was no doubt in Herod’s mind that the fulfillment of prophecy, even in infant form, was a real threat. Jerusalem was disturbed because they saw the anxiety of their ruler. Herod’s belief shook him enough that the whole community felt his fear.
Do we let our belief that God will fulfill his promises move us to the point that our community feels it alongside us? Herod did not surrender to God’s will, but he wholeheartedly believed that God’s plan was reliable. We must live with such belief if we want to have a faith that matches Herod’s.
We see Herod choose to commit a terrible crime against his people because he was so concerned about the power of the God of the Jews. He kills innocent children in an effort to stop God’s plan. Thankfully we know that God is bigger than the evil efforts of any man. God warned Joseph in a dream of the impending threat and protected the vulnerable child (verse 13).
While the action of Herod was inspired by evil, it was an act of faith. He so believed God to be real that he mobilized his army to take out a future threat. He risked backlash from those who had lost and mourned a child because he knew this future King was to be feared.
Have you taken action in your life, either for or against God based on his Word? Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot — far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”
In this story we see those who would make God vomit are the religious leaders. The Magi were passionately pursuing their king, Herod was clear in that he believed the Scriptures were true and took aggressive action, while the religious remained unfazed by this news. Their faith stagnated and they valued their comfort more than their God. Can you relate?
How many sermons, studies, testimonies, articles, or books have you read about the heart of God and merely walked away just a little bit more knowledgeable but completely unchanged? The Christian walk is not meant to be neutral. Jesus’ way is radical. He tells his followers to take up their cross and follow him, meaning this life as a Christ follower brings a death of our old way of being and an active movement towards something new.
Our indifference to the Word of God is repulsive to God. We must not let our love for the Savior grow cold or let our desire for nice, successful, safe, and practical outweigh our heart of worship. When we become stagnant, we become worse than the evil King Herod that sought to kill our Savior.
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
Bible Verses About Welcoming ImmigrantsEmbracing the StrangerAs we journey through life, we often encounter individuals who are not of our nationality......
Who We AreWhat We EelieveWhat We Do
2025 by lntellectual Reserve,Inc All rights reserved.
