Here are some insights from Matthew Chapter 2:
The contrast between the way Herod responds to Jesus and the wise men are opposite. Matthew 2:3 tells us "Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." On the other hand, the wise men see Jesus and they "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" and "they fell down and worshiped him" (verse 9-11). Interestingly, both Herod and the wise men saw Jesus for who he was and it led to two very different responses. Herod, who wanted to preserve his power and rule, saw Jesus as a threat and therefore wanted him dead. The wise men saw his glory and gladly surrendered to him. There is no neutrality in Jesus, he is either offensive to your own kingdom and rule or he is the Son of God who is worthy to be worshiped in humble adoration.
Herod gets tricked and we see his rage unfold into uncontrollable anger. He tried to extinguish Jesus quietly but the fact that he goes through town and kills each male two years and younger shows how much his heart is ruled by the lust for power and control. This episode demonstrates how closely God himself was implicated in evil yet he is not the cause of evil, Herod and his rebellion to God is the cause of evil.
It is important that we see ourselves in Herod. We may look at this episode and determine he is far worse because he slaughtered a city of babies. Undoubtedly, this is horrific and most humans will never take such severe actions. However, all of us feel threatened by others like Herod felt threatened by Jesus. All of us have the same potential for evil in our hearts that translates into sin in one form or another.
Interestingly, Matthew records three times that the events happened to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament (2:15,17,23). Indeed, we can see how the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). Matthew 2 is a wonderful picture of how God keeps his promises and accomplishes his plan of salvation even against the wicked schemes of a powerful king.
God works through four different dreams, showing us nothing can thwart God's purposes, and nothing is too hard for God.
May we have great confidence in the unshakeable nature of God's will. No one is greater than he, nothing can keep him from accomplishing all that he desires.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
A Prayer: Father in heaven, please give your people a great confidence in your character. Convince us that you are God and none of your purposes can be thwarted. Help us to cling to you in the face of evil, keep our feet upon the solid rock of your kingdom. The grass will wither, the flower will fade, earthly kingdoms will crumble, but your word will stand forever. For your glory. Amen
The contrast between the way Herod responds to Jesus and the wise men are opposite. Matthew 2:3 tells us "Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." On the other hand, the wise men see Jesus and they "rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" and "they fell down and worshiped him" (verse 9-11). Interestingly, both Herod and the wise men saw Jesus for who he was and it led to two very different responses. Herod, who wanted to preserve his power and rule, saw Jesus as a threat and therefore wanted him dead. The wise men saw his glory and gladly surrendered to him. There is no neutrality in Jesus, he is either offensive to your own kingdom and rule or he is the Son of God who is worthy to be worshiped in humble adoration.
Herod gets tricked and we see his rage unfold into uncontrollable anger. He tried to extinguish Jesus quietly but the fact that he goes through town and kills each male two years and younger shows how much his heart is ruled by the lust for power and control. This episode demonstrates how closely God himself was implicated in evil yet he is not the cause of evil, Herod and his rebellion to God is the cause of evil.
It is important that we see ourselves in Herod. We may look at this episode and determine he is far worse because he slaughtered a city of babies. Undoubtedly, this is horrific and most humans will never take such severe actions. However, all of us feel threatened by others like Herod felt threatened by Jesus. All of us have the same potential for evil in our hearts that translates into sin in one form or another.
Interestingly, Matthew records three times that the events happened to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament (2:15,17,23). Indeed, we can see how the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). Matthew 2 is a wonderful picture of how God keeps his promises and accomplishes his plan of salvation even against the wicked schemes of a powerful king.
God works through four different dreams, showing us nothing can thwart God's purposes, and nothing is too hard for God.
May we have great confidence in the unshakeable nature of God's will. No one is greater than he, nothing can keep him from accomplishing all that he desires.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
A Prayer: Father in heaven, please give your people a great confidence in your character. Convince us that you are God and none of your purposes can be thwarted. Help us to cling to you in the face of evil, keep our feet upon the solid rock of your kingdom. The grass will wither, the flower will fade, earthly kingdoms will crumble, but your word will stand forever. For your glory. Amen
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