25 Days of Christmas
On the thirteenth day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...like Herod, I often resist the right of the King of kings to rule my life. Through the Bible Readings: Jonah 3-4, Revelation 1, Psalm 140:9–13, Proverbs 30:17–19
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:16-23
Through the Bible Readings: Jonah 3-4, Revelation 1, Psalm 140:9–13, Proverbs 30:17–19
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Am I Herod?
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 beings 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 struggle we face every day.
Will Jesus have the place he deserves in my life today?
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 beings 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 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 :
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