210 The Kings of Christmas: Herod
In the last episode, we talked about Caesar Augustus, ruler of the vast Roman Empire at the time of Jesus’ birth. One of the ways he made governing this massive area more manageable was to establish local kings to rule on his behalf.
At this time, there arose in Israel a young man who fit the bill perfectly. He was half-Jew, half-Edomite, born into a politically connected family, and hungry for power. His name was Herod.
He curried favor with Augustus and at 25 years old was conferred by the Roman Senate with the title, “King of the Jews.”
Though Herod is known as an accomplished builder, history remembers him even more as a butcher. He was almost insanely suspicious, and his suspicions drove him to murder. He murdered his wife, his sons, his rivals, anyone who threatened his power.
So you can imagine his response when the Magi showed up asking where they could find the new King of the Jews! Matthew 2 says Herod was “disturbed,” literally agitated, all shook up.
But rather than eliminating these foreign visitors, he used them. People accustomed to getting and keeping power are masters at using those around them.
“Go find this child, and when you do, come back to me so I can worship him too.”
Is that really what he intended to do? No! He played these guys. People who grasp for power are not only users, they are deceivers.
When the Magi didn’t return to Herod, but having been warned by God they went home a different way, Herod was furious. He ordered the slaughter of every baby boy under the age of two in the region of Bethlehem.
People who seek to hold on to power, to stay in control, use people… they deceive people… and they ultimately hurt people.
Though Herod died shortly after this, the Herod spirit didn’t die. It’s alive and well and threatens us today.
Every one of us has areas of our lives that we struggle to submit to Jesus’ rulership – private areas over which we desire to stay on the throne, protected places where we want to wear the crown.
Ask yourself these questions and see if the Lord may identify a Herod spirit in your life.
In what area of my life do I have a tendency to use people? At work? In your family? Perhaps you control or manipulate people to get what you want.
In what area of my life am I guilty of deceiving people? Whether you openly lie or leave others with false impressions, where do you shade the truth to maintain control?
In what area of my life am I willing to hurt people? It may not be physical harm, but you’re willing to hurt people through gossip or slander. Through lashing out in anger or rage. Or maybe you freeze them out and seek to punish them through passive aggression.
Are you willing to lay down your crown and surrender control to the true King, Jesus?