You're a Mean One, 🎵 Mr. Herod, You really are a heel 🎶
The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote
"Stink, stank, stunk!"
Matthew 2:1-18
- Unless things of the spirit have a direct effect on us as individuals, we tend to be relatively unconcerned about it in our day to day busyness of life. Some people hardly give it a second thought, and that was Herod until the Wise men appeared at his door. He didn’t care until it threatened his claim to the throne. We are a lot like that, I know I certainly was, when you are the one in control, the “god” of your own life and heart. You get defensive if someone else tires to lay claim to that throne.
Herod was only interested in the Messiah or scripture so far as it affected him directly.
... assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6
- Like Herod there are those who want to know about Jesus, but their motives in seeking him out are usually out of vain ambition. They want to eliminate any possible claim to their own throne of self. Instead of searching for Author of life they end up choosing death and separation.
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” Matthew 2”16-18
- In contrast there are those wise men and women that diligently search for Jesus and when they find him they fall down and worship him.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:10-11
- As this holiday season quickly overtakes us with all its pressures, sometimes it becomes “NOT” The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, and the uncertainty of the new year may also appear quite daunting. I would like to encourage you that GOD is always several moves ahead, he was ahead of Herod, ahead of the kill squad sent to Bethlehem, ahead of the Adversary and the other rebels. He has the plans and resources, like the gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh provided by the Wise men. They were timely considering the need that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had in leaving the country quickly. So I encourage you to not be left behind, but to keep in step with the Spirit.
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