I Wonder… About Herod

The Wonder Of Christmas

Text: Matt 2:1-7

“1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 

6  “ ‘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.’ ” 

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” (Matt 2:1-7, ESV)

Three Lessons From Herod

Lesson One:

WHEN CONFLICT COMES KNOCKING AT CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER THAT CONFLICT CAME LONG BEFORE CANDY CANES, CAROLS AND CHRISTMAS TREES 

• HEROD IS THE SET DESIGNER IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
  
  Josephus writes that Herod The Great was a great builder and gave us the backdrop for the Christmas story, the gospel and the book of acts
  
  We can work so hard to build a name for ourselves that we miss the Name above all names  

• HEROD IS THE VILLAIN IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
  
  We often to criticize the very things we are Jealous of.  Jealousy will seek to destroy the very things that God has brought in our lives to bring healing
  
  There is no greater glory than love, nor any greater punishment than jealousy. 

• HEROD BRINGS THE CONFLICT TO THE CHRISTMAS STORY
  
  Because of Herod
  – Mary and Jospeh have to travel to Bethlehem  
  – Mary and Jospeh flee to Egypt 
  – Mary and Jospeh settle in Nazareth 
  
  Herod brings a conflict that fulfills three prophecies concerning Christ
  (Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:23)
  
  Herod thought he could control the story, he forgot God holds the pen!

Every conflict is an opportunity for Christ to write a better story

3 gifts of Wisdom for dealing with Christmas conflict

• Always lead With Honor and Humility
• Set your limits
• Preach the gospel without stuffing the turkey 

LESSON TWO: JUST LIKE THE GRINCH, HEROD COULDN’T STOP CHRISTMAS FROM COMING EITHER

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, 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 that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 

18  “A voice was heard in Ramah, 

weeping and loud lamentation, 

Rachel weeping for her children; 

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. 

Herod’s Christmas story reminds us

• “We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD’s purpose prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21, MSG ).
• “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:28, MSG).

3 Truths that Shine like stars in the midst of tragedy

God is Good (1 John 1:5)

God is for you not against you (Rom 8:31)

God is at work for your good (Rom 8:28)

Lesson Three: Herod reminds us that “bad history” can come between you and your own Emmanuel moment 

Herod was a man stuck in the middle

If only he had read further 

Micah 5:4–5 (ESV)
4  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord, 
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 
And they shall dwell secure,
for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 
5  And he shall be their peace.”

He could have found the true peace that lasts!