While the birth of Jesus brought joy and peace to Mary and the shepherds, it was a worst-case scenario for King Herod. Through extensive alliances, gamesmanship, and innovation, Herod had a generally successful reign as king, but he was near the end of his life and had grown paranoid, jealous, angry, and unhinged. He was so desperate to maintain his throne that he murdered anyone he deemed a threat, especially his own family. He is said to have killed his beloved wife Mariamne and her two sons, as well as her brother, mother and grandfather, before finally murdering his own firstborn son Antipater.
That’s exactly what happened, of course. After the wise men were warned about Herod and slipped out of Jerusalem without returning to him, the king devised an evil, murderous plot. In a last attempt to stave off this potential insurrection, he massacred all boys two years old and under in and around Bethlehem. Many innocent children died, many families were left broken and devastated, because of the actions of King Herod.
Christ’s arrival troubled Herod greatly, to the point of violence, because it meant a shift of power. He was used to having all authority and things a certain way. He was aggressively protective of his rule and kingdom. But the birth of Jesus—the King of the Jews—meant that he might lose those things he held dear. In Herod’s mind, there was only room for one king on the throne, and he was not about to share it. The truth is, Herod was absolutely right! There is only room for one King on the throne, but Herod was not that king. Jesus is the King!
This year, what is sitting on the throne of your heart? What things are you elevating above Jesus in your life? Perhaps it’s your job, your relationships, your hobbies, or your vices? Maybe you’re living in a way that you know is not pleasing to Him? Don’t make the same mistake as Herod. Recognize that Christ is King and surrender all control of your life over to Him today.
