“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed …. ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.’”
Psalm 2:1, 6
Look closely now at the most evil Christmas character. “Jesus was not born into a gauzy, snowy ‘winter wonderland’ of sweetly-singing angels and cute reindeer …. He was born into a warzone” (Russell Moore, 2015).
Herod had his plan, but it turns out that he was not as powerful as he thought. Like every ruler who seeks to challenge God, his attempts to snuff out the life of the real King of Israel were thwarted by God. God warned the wise men not to report back to Herod, and He warned Joseph to travel with Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt for safety. This is a reminder that in our evil world, when it seems Satan has the upper hand, God is sovereign over all.
This is the story of Matthew’s gospel, the story of Christmas: that God has determined to set upon His hill His King, Jesus. The earth is full of the graves of kings who tried and failed to usurp the real King, from Eden on through the life of Jesus. Herod may have been formidable. He may have initiated a culture of fear in Israel. But he was no match for the King of kings.
Herod had his plan, but it turns out that he was not as powerful as he thought. Like every ruler who seeks to challenge God, his attempts to snuff out the life of the real King of Israel were thwarted by God. God warned the wise men not to report back to Herod, and He warned Joseph to travel with Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt for safety. This is a reminder that in our evil world, when it seems Satan has the upper hand, God is sovereign over all.
This is the story of Matthew’s gospel, the story of Christmas: that God has determined to set upon His hill His King, Jesus. The earth is full of the graves of kings who tried and failed to usurp the real King, from Eden on through the life of Jesus. Herod may have been formidable. He may have initiated a culture of fear in Israel. But he was no match for the King of kings.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 2:3-8, 12
Insight
“God is not troubled by cosmic rebellion. God laughs at such folly.” (James Montgomery Boice, 2001)
Bible In A Year
- Micah 5-7
- Proverbs 23
- Revelation 1-2
