The Story of Christmas, Day 14: Friday, December 9 – Matthew 2:16-23 Am I Herod?

On the fourteenth day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...like Herod, I often resist the right of the King of kings to rule my life. 

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:16-23

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,    weeping and loud lamentation,Rachel weeping for her children;    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Devotional Thoughts

It is among the most heinous acts of evil in the world's history - ranking up there with the deeds of Hitler, Saddam, and Usama. Herod the Great became furious that the Magi did not return with the information he wanted about the "one born king of the Jews" he was furious and committed murder against the children of Bethlehem.

Why? Why would he do such a terrible thing? There is a simple reason, one that is, unfortunately, universal. What Herod did in reality almost all human being do spiritually. He committed an act of treachery and wickedness that has made him a pariah throughout history, but humans beings commit this same act internally and it leaves them in eternal jeopardy of hell.

Why did Herod react as he did? He was a pretender to the throne and "one born king" was a threat. He was a usurper, one who gained his throne by machination and dirty tricks and raw power. He did terrible things to gain power and to hold on to it - a throne he had no right to sit on. When Jesus was born he was the Son of God and the rightful ruler of everything. He had the right to sit on the throne that Herod had worked to gain.

Every human being has the same problem. I am the Herod of my own heart. God is the rightful ruler, the one who deserves the throne, but like Herod I have usurped his place. I've taken a throne I don't deserve and fought against his Lordship over me. My soul resists submission and insists that I be the captain of my own ship, that I do as I please, and live for my own glory and pleasure. No, I don't do the horrid things Herod did, but the root of rebellion in my heart is the same as that in his.

This is the issue for all of us. Satan fell into sin because he decided to ascend to the throne instead of bow before it. Adam and Eve sinned because they listened to the lie that they should be like God instead of obeying him. Herod tried to kill the one born king of the Jews instead of recognizing his kingdom. And you and I struggle to let Jesus have the place he deserves in our lives. That is the the struggle we face every day.

Will Jesus have the place he deserves in my life today?

Father, today I want your Son to have the place he deserves. I will yield to him instead of fighting the one who is the rightful King of my life. 

Think and Pray

Are you living as a spiritual Herod, resisting the right of Jesus to be king of your life?
Take time to do a spiritual inventory and yield every area of your life to Christ. 

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Carol of the Day

He rules the world with truth and grace,   

And gives to nations proof   

The glories of His righteousness,  

And wonders of His love;  

And wonders of His love;   

And wonders, wonders of His love.