“When Herod realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under.”
Matthew 2:16
The innocent infant child Jesus threatened the power of Judea. Imagine how angry Herod must have been when he failed to hear back from the wise men. Ghosted by the Magi, he went into a rage and slaughtered every baby boy in Bethlehem under two years of age. He made sure no living infant son there could one day grow up and take his throne. As the father of four children, I can’t even imagine watching one of my children dying, let alone like this.
Despite Herod’s horrifying efforts to thwart the uprooting of his reign, the heir to David’s throne has come. The long struggle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman (see Genesis 3:15) has culminated in Christ. Satan, with murder on his heart, will be defeated when this baby ascends to a bloody Roman cross, endures the wrath of the Father, and rises again in victory on the third day.
Christmas reminds us this is the true kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom is not one that prizes power over the vulnerable, but where the last shall be first. In Christ, a new day is dawning.
Despite Herod’s horrifying efforts to thwart the uprooting of his reign, the heir to David’s throne has come. The long struggle between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman (see Genesis 3:15) has culminated in Christ. Satan, with murder on his heart, will be defeated when this baby ascends to a bloody Roman cross, endures the wrath of the Father, and rises again in victory on the third day.
Christmas reminds us this is the true kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom is not one that prizes power over the vulnerable, but where the last shall be first. In Christ, a new day is dawning.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 2:13-18
Insight
Herod died. His kingdom crumbled. But the infant he tried to kill lives. Survey the brokenness of this world and find hope in Jesus.
Bible In A Year
- Nahum 1-3
- Proverbs 24
- Revelation 3-5
