When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3 NABRE
At the birth of Jesus Magi come from the east to pay homage to the new born King. These Magi travel past the palace of King Herod and ask for directions to the birth place of the new king. Hearing about a new king Herod is greatly troubled, in fact all of Jerusalem is troubled. Herod knows nothing of this new king but is insecure. Nearing the end of his life Herod is insecure about his throne, which has caused him to have his wife and three eldest sons killed. This new King brings out Herod’s insecurities and he secretly hatches a plan to have the Magi return and tell him where the new king is staying. Herod tells the Magi he wants to know so he can pay homage as well, but in his mind he wants to know the new King’s location so he can have Him killed and He will no longer be a threat. Herod’s insecurities have him trapped in a prison, seeing everything as a threat. In fact Herod only has people around him that tell him what he wants to hear, contradicting him makes them useless and they are destroyed. Herod lives an existence where he covets, grasps and clings to what he has, all due to a deep fear of losing what he has and this fear makes him anxious. Herod is not an example of a good life in the kingdom of God. Herod worries other’s success will take away from him in some way, but in the kingdom of God there is plenty for everyone. In the kingdom of God Herod could keep his throne, there is no reason for him to fear.
Today we may be anxious and cling to what we have, grasping and coveting but there is no reason for this. God wants us to have everything. Rather than being fearful and anxious of other’s success we should affirm people more, especially in their success.
How do you react to other people’s success? Do you affirm people enough?
Today we may be anxious and cling to what we have, grasping and coveting but there is no reason for this. God wants us to have everything. Rather than being fearful and anxious of other's we should affirm people, especially in their success. Click To TweetThis message on King Herod is inspired from Rich Villodas’, Lead pastor at New Life Church, sermon entitled Advent: The Light that Overcomes Our Inner Herod
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