Herod in Conflict

HEROD IN CONFLICT

Matthew 2:3-4

“When Herod heard this [Magi asking where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?] 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 Christ was to be born.”

“Mysterious Magi,” Mr. Robbins said to his fifth grade Sunday school class, “were foreigners arriving to Jerusalem, asked only were to find the one who is born king of the Jews. How do you think king Herod would have reacted?” (See Star Followers devotion). “Brad?”

“I think he was really upset!”

“Why, Brad?”

“Wasn’t Herod the king?”

“Yes, earthly speaking, Herod was king of the Jews.” Mr. Robbins said. “Caesar Octavian appointed Herod king in 37 B.C. The Magi really blew his mind. Herod thought he was in charge of his little Roman kingdom, until foreigners come along, asking where to find the one who they named with his title!”

Brad said, “Right. I would have felt threatened, too!”

“So, what did Herod do about it?” Mr. Robbins asked. “Melanie?”

“Didn’t Herod demand to see the Jewish priests and teachers?”

“Right,” Mr. Robbins confirmed. “And that’s not all. The chief priests and teachers told him exactly where they were expecting their Messiah to be born.” Mr. Robbins pointed to the whiteboard, where the passage from Matthew 2:6 was written. “Where did they tell Herod to find him?”

“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 shall be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

“Bethlehem!” the class answered.

Mr. Robbins said, “Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem. So, that sounds pretty easy for Herod to go and find Him, right?” The kids all nodded their heads. “So why did Herod over-react to the situation, and have all baby boys two hears old and under killed?”

Philip had an idea. “He was paranoid, Mr. Robbins!”

“He probably was.” Mr. Robbins agreed. “Remember, the Wise Men didn’t report back to Herod after they found the child, because they were warned in a dream to go home a different way.” (Matthew 2:17).

Take Home Nugget

We don’t know the details about the meeting between the Magi and Herod (Matthew 2:7). We can only imagine that the Magi shattered Herod’s world. His throne was being threatened—challenged by a baby—who Herod figured would succeed him as king! Don’t we naturally over react when we feel ourselves losing control over situations?

We think we’ve got it all together,
Then our world is shattered.
Only belief in Jesus makes it all better,
Trusting Him heals the battered.

J.D. Griffith

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