Matthew chapter 2 tells us about the star that led to wise men to Jesus and about King Herod's reaction to the news.
Consider this:
1. The star had to have been a divine message.
2. The wise men asked for the newborn KING.
3. Herod asked for information about the MESSIAH.
Taking those three points together, Herod knew about the Messiah - that He would be sent from God.
Now Herod was no stranger to "messiahs" in general. There were a couple of them in his own lifetime, messiahs who were trying to rebel against the Romans. Take the words of Gamaliel during the trial of the apostles immediately after Jesus rose into heaven.
They came looking for a king, but Herod knew enough to ask where the Messiah would be born. Herod didn't ask the news reporters and spies with which he had certainly surrounded himself. He asked the scholars of Scripture. Herod understood that this particular Messiah was the real thing.
And his first plan was to kill Him!
If Herod understood enough about the Scriptures to know about the true Messiah, I wonder if he understood the mission of Jesus. Maybe not. It seems like most of those well-versed in God's Word missed Jesus' first coming. They too were looking for a King.
It's a wonderful thing that God knows how to protect His own and that His plans cannot be thwarted. Otherwise, Jesus would not have seen His third birthday, and we would all be destined for hell.
God bless us all.
Happy New Year.
Kathi Linz
Consider this:
1. The star had to have been a divine message.
2. The wise men asked for the newborn KING.
3. Herod asked for information about the MESSIAH.
Taking those three points together, Herod knew about the Messiah - that He would be sent from God.
Now Herod was no stranger to "messiahs" in general. There were a couple of them in his own lifetime, messiahs who were trying to rebel against the Romans. Take the words of Gamaliel during the trial of the apostles immediately after Jesus rose into heaven.
Acts 5:35-39 (ESV) And [Gamaliel] said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”According to Gamaliel, Herod was dealing with a 'messiah' at the exact time that the wise men showed up asking about another one. Maybe Herod was simply fed up with all of the local heroic types and he just wanted to nip this one in the bud. But no other claimant had been heralded by a celestial sign and seekers from far countries.
They came looking for a king, but Herod knew enough to ask where the Messiah would be born. Herod didn't ask the news reporters and spies with which he had certainly surrounded himself. He asked the scholars of Scripture. Herod understood that this particular Messiah was the real thing.
And his first plan was to kill Him!
If Herod understood enough about the Scriptures to know about the true Messiah, I wonder if he understood the mission of Jesus. Maybe not. It seems like most of those well-versed in God's Word missed Jesus' first coming. They too were looking for a King.
It's a wonderful thing that God knows how to protect His own and that His plans cannot be thwarted. Otherwise, Jesus would not have seen His third birthday, and we would all be destined for hell.
God bless us all.
Happy New Year.
Kathi Linz
