Matthew 2: 3-8
"Something new was on the horizon, and the very ones who had been told of a new king for countless years were the one who remained completely in the dark. The King of Judah, King Herod, was troubled by the news that the magi had brought to him. Because he was so troubled, all of Jerusalem was troubled as well. The life that they had become accustomed to and were perfectly content with seemed to be at stake. King Herod's blood pressure must have risen to an all-time high as he considered being dethroned by some baby in a manger!
Herod had no personal knowledge of where the Messiah of the Jews was to be born. Therefore, he had to gather together all the chief priests and scribes to ask them where the Christ would be born. Strangely enough, the religious leaders of the day did know where He was to be born, but they had not recognized the star that would have led them to Him. They quote to their King from the prophet Micah, who said, 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel.'
'Ah, I see...Bethlehem is where He is,' the King said to no one in particular, rubbing his hands together with a strange smile on his face.
And from there the plot thickens even more as we observe King Herod's inner darkness be revealed. Secretly he calls together the magi to find out from them when they first saw the star light up the night sky. His cold and calculating ways probably were not obvious to the wise men because they left from Herod's chambers to head straight to Bethlehem, to find the Christ Child, as they had been asked by the King to do. Herod feigns a deep desire to know where the King might be, and he asks the band of wise men to report back to him when they have found Him. He lies to them when he tells them that he want so go worship this Child King, as even as he is speaking, his dark heart clearly is focused on how he will 'handle' this little matter. Worshiping this new king, the King of Kings, is the last thing on the mind of the jealous king.
Do you see how King Herod's spiritual darkness is threatened by the true Light of Jesus? His heart is dark and closed to this infant king who should become his Light and Salvation, the only One who can save his soul from an eternity in hell. But instead, King Herod's eyes can only focus on himself and what this new king can do to his own reign. Thoughts like, 'What will this mean for me?' and 'How will this king affect my rule?' and 'Will my loyal subjects turn on me, replacing me with rule and reign of their Messiah?' In his mind this new king would only have negative affects on him personally. These very dark thoughts clouded even more his already dark heart and mind. And Herod never received the Light of the world.
Self-focus will always cloud our vision. If we look at what we think it might cost us, or what we might have to give up in order to deepen our relationship with the Light of the world, we are already defeated. It is only when our eyes are fixed on the Light, knowing that, in the end, we will have to sacrifice everything fleshly and sinful, that will we grow deeper in our walk with the Light.
What sacrifices do you need to bring the King of Kings. What thoughts, emotions, and/or actions rule you? Are you willing to take your eyes off of yourself in order that you might surrender your body, mind, and soul to Jesus, so that He might have full reign over you? When we hang on with a death grip to what we think 'belongs to us,' we are in danger of our own sinful flesh taking up complete residency in us and full control over us. God is seeking our surrender. To refuse Him this one thing reveals the darkness that still resides within us. Surrender is the match that ignites the Light within. It is time that the jealous 'king Herod' that resides in us all is put to death, once and for all."
No comments:
Post a Comment