WHY HEROD?
In order to see the good in some people, it is often necessary to see the evil in others. Such is the case with Herod who reigned at the time of Jesus’ birth. Herod was the King of Judea, a puppet king under the rule of Rome. He was not a native Jew but an Arab who had converted to Judaism. Both himself and his father had developed ties with the Roman Emperors and because of these ties, Herod, in time, succeeded in being appointed the King of Judea. He was a proud man who loved to display his own prowess by erecting large fortresses and palaces as well as the rebuilt Jewish Temple, all of which the people apparently paid for by heavy taxation. At same time, however, Herod was insecure and, to a degree, mentally unstable. He eventually became so insecure regarding his power and position that he ended up murdering his wife and five other members of her family.
Such was the man who reigned at the time of Jesus’ birth. But there also was some question regarding his intellect and insight as well. After all, his advisors had to be aware of the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Was he just not informed? After the shepherds heard the news and visited the manger “…they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18).
Herod must have had spies and informants throughout his territory. Did they not hear of this news and report back to the King? Or were they too afraid to do so? Perhaps Herod just would not listen. After all, what could shepherds know?
It appears that Jesus must have lived under Herod’s rule and close to his location for almost two years before the wise men came and sought out Herod’s court. It was only then that Herod “…gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, [and] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born” (Matthew 2:4). After he was informed, Herod secretly called the wise men and “…determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me…” (Matthew 2:7-8).
The question remains as to why Herod did not send personnel to tail the wise men and to report to him directly as to Christ’s location. Did he still not believe what he had been told or was he too arrogant to accept advice? In any case, it was only after the wise men did not return that he became desperate and angry and “…set forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under…” (Matthew 2:16).
Herod really only reacted when he felt that his own position and power were truly threatened and then in a way that caused destruction and chaos. In a way we’re all a bit like Herod. In fact, we really all fall into one of the three categories represented by the players in the Christmas story. Some are like the shepherds, who respond in a basic and humble way to the Good News when they receive it and apparently believe without question what has been told to them.
Other are like the wise men, who ponder what they have heard and look for supporting evidence in science before they may react. However, when they see the facts will go to wherever they are directed to seek out the truth, and will respond to that truth when it is found.
Unfortunately, many are also like Herod and are so interested in believing in themselves and responding to their own impulses that they do not see what really lies before them. They refute the evidence and deny the obvious because it does not comply with their preconceived concept of reality. They may not listen to advice and may only react with anger and hostility when (and if) they react at all. Denial can be a great preserver of individual control but only up to that point at which it is no longer possible to maintain.
Are you like those who see a miracle and just know that it’s true and then go forth seeking in faith? Or are you like one who hears the news but waits for more evidence before reacting and heading out for wherever, no matter how far that journey may take you?
Or do you belong to that group of people who are basically insecure and so set in their ways that they will continue to deny the evidence, missing what is right in front of them, and reacting with anger and hostility when forced to confront the facts?
We all to some extent belong to one of these three groups and perhaps at times a combination of all. Considering all this should give each of us something to think about.
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