Tuesday, December 8

Matthew 2:1-8 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 

Did you know that Christmas did not exist in Cuba between 1969 and 1997? Fidel Castro eliminated Christmas as a holiday in Cuba in 1969 because he claimed it interfered with the sugar harvest. Most believe the real reason was that he had officially declared Cuba to be an atheist nation in 1962 and, as dictator, he wanted to eliminate any threat to his control over the people. 

So for almost 30 years Christmas did not exist in Cuba – at least not officially – although millions celebrated Christ’s birth secretly. Finally, in 1997, in preparation for a widely publicized visit of Pope John Paul II, Castro relented and allowed Christmas to be celebrated publicly in Cuba. 

If it’s true that Castro both feared and resented Christmas, he’s not the first political leader to do so. Scripture tells us that when Magi (Wise Men) from the east came to Jerusalem seeking the child “born King of the Jews” that King Herod was “disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” He was disturbed because he was king and if the Magi were correct it meant that he had competition! All Jerusalem was disturbed because it was widely known that when King Herod was disturbed – it often meant that someone – and perhaps many – would soon die. 

Historians tell us that Herod “the Great” – as he liked to be known - was so jealous and insecure about his position that he had a number of his own family members assassinated. Three of his sons and at least one of his ten wives were killed just so he would not feel threatened. There was a saying at the time that it was “safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.” The Jewish historian Josephus records that Herod was so concerned that no one would mourn his death that he commanded the arrest of a number of distinguished citizens with orders that they be executed at the moment of his death to ensure there would be weeping in Jerusalem when he died. 

Make no mistake; when Herod said, 

“Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 

He had no intention of worshiping Jesus! 

Herod was an evil, cruel and profligate man, but he got one thing right. When confronted with a king there are only two options: worship that king or kill that king. 

Far too often I think I am – and perhaps we are – guilty of wanting to have it both ways. We want to worship our King; that is, we want to worship and serve God; but we simultaneously want to kind of put him in the back seat while we drive the car. We offer our praise and worship on Saturday or Sunday – but from Monday through Friday it would be hard to distinguish our lives and values from the culture we live in. 

The word “king” is an uncomfortable word. In fact, it’s more than just a word. It’s a title. It’s a title of absolute authority and power. It’s a word that inspires either awe and obedience or fear and hatred. There is no middle ground when it comes to a king. There is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus. 

Every human being must make a choice regarding Jesus. Herod understood this and made his choice. Have you? 

Pastor Brian Coffey