“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem ad asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NIV)
Herod was a king, but barely. He was Arabian by birth and Jewish by practice and his hold on his kingdom was very tenuous. He was a weak leader hamstrung in a time dominated by powerful personalities: Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Octavian. Herod attempted to reinforce his frail hold through a highly political marriage, wealth accumulation and grandiose building projects. His paranoia could not be managed, however, as evident by his brutal execution of his wife and the order to kill the infants of Bethlehem.
Herod sought to be the true King of Jews. He’d allowed Judaism to stay intact, despite Rome’s absolute conversion policy for their aquisitions. As a sign of goodwill toward his constituents, he thoroughly remodeled their Temple, no mind that the project was funded by the taxes he’d stripped from the people. He’d even converted to their one-God religion, for pity’s sake. What more could he do to win their approval?
It is easy to point fingers at Herod, he’s an unlikeable character. We see how Herod was slow to seat anyone else on the throne of his life. At least we believe that, until we crack open a history book. Once upon a time (31 BC to be precise) Herod had aligned himself with Mark Antony and when Antony’s plans failed, Herod threw himself down at Octavian’s mercy and confessed. Octavian was so impressed with Herod’s honesty that he allowed him to keep his kingdom. Turns out, Herod knew how to surrender, he just refused to exercise that knowledge when it came to the newborn King in Bethlehem.
I wonder, how different are we? Christmas comes around and we gather at the manger. We ooh and aw, but truly, are we here to worship or assess? Do we lay down our crowns? Do we give this newborn Savior the authority that belongs to His bloodline? Or do we back away and run back to ruling our own existence, an illusion of power that feels like control?
Aren’t we all Herod, to a degree? Wrestling for the throne of our own story? When we point it out, it hurts a bit. Perhaps this pain is further indication of implication?
Wise men acknowledge the true king through worship. True worship is a life laid down, a crown deposed, perfume poured out; our story totally abandoned to His sovereignty.
“I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:1 NIV)
Lord, today we recognize our tendency to build our kingdoms and defend our thrones. Today we come face to face wit Your legitimate majesty. We lay down our crowns, O God. We get on our faces in front of Your manger-throne and we declare You Lord and King of our lives. Reign in us and through us forever. Amen.