It is important for us to remember that the original events surrounding the birth, infancy, and early childhood of Jesus were not a sentimental experience of cherubic joy. The story of the Magi seeking for the King of the Jews reminds us of how evil, self-seeking, and vicious human beings can be – even in response to the birth of Jesus. Or perhaps it is better to say – especially in response to the birth of Jesus. I have in mind here the reaction of Herod the King appointed by the Romans to rule over Palestine, as the Empire had named the area.
The contrast is quite striking between the pagan Magi, who were astrologers/astronomers (no difference in the ancient world) and represent I believe the greatest search for divine truth by human reason alone, and that of Herod who was the ruler of the Covenant people – who had even taken the trouble to increase and make glorious the Temple. The Magi seek and give. Herod’s spiritual passions seemed to stop where his own powerful self-referential concerns started. When he heard that the the holy prophecy given to God’s people pointed to Bethlehem as the place where this Deliverer and God-ordained ruler was to be born, he sent the earnest and seeking Magi to that town to find this new baby. He requested that they return to him after discovering his exact location so that he might go there himself and worship him. Of course, those who know the account given us in St. Matthew’s gospel understand this was a ruse, one intended to make the murder of the Messiah possible.
When the Magi do not abide by his instructions, but instead return to their homes another way that would not take them by Herod’s abode, Herod instructs his henchmen to go and kill every boy age two and under in the region of Bethlehem. He would leave nothing to chance. His evil was thorough as well as utterly heartless. We don’t know whether Herod really believed in the promise of the Messiah or not, but most probably he did not. Otherwise, how could he have decided to have the Promised One assassinated even if it meant massacring all the little boys of Bethlehem. Perhaps he did not want to take any chances that some in Israel might get wind of this from the Magi and begin to yearn to find the Messiah and prepare for God’s kingdom to come. The coming of God’s kingdom would mean the end of Herod’s rule. So, better safe than sorry.
In the liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, today (December 28) is the remembrance of the slaughter of the Innocents at the command of King Herod. The presence of Herod in the narrative of the coming of Jesus is an important one for more than just historical accuracy. He stands as a reminder to us that this world that Jesus came into is not really hospitable to God’s Messiah. Powerful people desire to remain powerful. Influential people desire to remain influential. Comfortable people desire to remain comfortable. If a Savior comes and is intent on setting the world right in God’s sight, it might mean the loss of power, influence, and comfort for folks who don’t want to give up such things. Herod’s contrast to the Magi is intentional to show us that there are only two options to the presence of Jesus – worship and offering or resentful self-seeking hatred. In the second option, it matters little who is hurt!
Let us not be fooled by thinking there is a third option: apathy or disinterested doubt. Because Jesus has come and is the Savior and the presence of God IN PERSON, to be apathetic and uninterested in searching out the truth of the message about him is just a form of self-protective resentfulness. Jesus comes into a world, loving it all the while (John 3:16), knowing all the while that his presence will be seen as either a grace or a gut-wrenching disruption of personal agendas.
For those of us who claim to see him as a grace, if we fail to yield all to him and lay down our own agendas to receive the life he offers…we might as well count ourselves in the company of Herod.
The contrast between the pagan Magi, who were astrologers/astronomers (no difference in the ancient world) and represent I believe the greatest search for divine truth by human reason alone, and that of Herod who was the ruler of the Covenant people – who had even taken the trouble to increase and make glorious the Temple. Herod’s spiritual passions seemed to stop where his own powerful self-referential concerns started. When he heard that the the holy prophecy given to God’s people pointed to Bethlehem as the place where this deliver and God-ordained and given ruler was to be born, he sent the earnest and seeking Magi to that town to find this new baby. He requested that they return to him after discovering his exact location so that he might go there himself and worship him. Of course, those who know the account given us in St. Matthew’s gospel understand this was a ruse, one intended to make the murder of the Messiah possible.
When the Magi do not abide by his instructions, but instead return to their homes another way that would not take them by Herod’s abode, Herod instructs his henchmen to go and kill every boy age two and under in the region of Bethlehem. He would leave nothing to chance. His evil was thorough as well as utterly heartless. We don’t know whether Herod really believed in the promise of the Messiah or not, but most probably he did not. Otherwise, how could he have decided to have the Promised One assassinated even if it meant massacring all the little boys of Bethlehem. Perhaps he did not want to take any chances that some in Israel might get wind of this from the Magi and begin to yearn to find the Messiah and prepare for God’s kingdom to come. The coming of God’s kingdom would mean the end of Herod’s rule. So, better safe than sorry.
In the liturgical calendar of Western Christianity, today (December 28) is the remembrance of the slaughter of the Innocents at the command of King Herod. The presence of Herod in the narrative of the coming of Jesus is an important one for more than just historical accuracy. He stands as a reminder to us that this world that Jesus came into is not really hospitable to God’s Messiah. Powerful people desire to remain powerful. Influential people desire to remain influential. Comfortable people desire to remain comfortable. If a Savior comes and is intent on setting the world right in God’s sight, it might mean the loss of power, influence, and comfort for folks who don’t want to give up such things. Herod’s contrast to the Magi is intentional to show us that there are only two options to the presence of Jesus – worship and offering or resentful self-seeking hatred. In the second option, it matters little who is hurt!
Let us not be fooled by thinking there is a third option: apathy or disinterested doubt. Because Jesus has come and is the Savior and the presence of God IN PERSON, to be apathetic and uninterested in searching out the truth of the message about him is just a form of self-protective resentfulness. Jesus comes into a world, loving it all the while (John 3:16), knowing all the while that his presence will be seen as either a grace or a gut-wrenching disruption of personal agendas.
For those of us who claim to see him as a grace, if we fail to yield all to him and lay down our own agendas to receive the life he offers…we might as well count ourselves in the company of Herod.
