Anchor My Faith

Herod Gathers Information About Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 2:3-6

We are with the wise men in Jerusalem, who are seeking the location of Jesus for the purpose of going to worship him. Their statement about Jesus being born king of the Jews and coming to worship him is overheard by a man of great power, and: “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3 ESV). Herod is troubled because if Jesus were a rising king he would be a threat to his throne. The Jewish leaders are also troubled because Jesus would pose a threat to their corrupt religious and political leadership in Jerusalem. Herod’s troubled spirit will cause him to try to remove the threat and for the time being, the Jews will settle into normal life until much later in the life of Jesus when they again become troubled to the extent that they plan his death.

We have gotten ahead of the narrative and need to back up and see what Herod does: “and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born” (Matthew 2:4 ESV). Who are these chief priest and scribes that Herod assembled and made inquiry of? The chief priest had responsibilities at the temple by giving oversight over its activities. The scribe’s area of focus was the Old Testament and were the official interpreters of the Law. It is clear that the birth of Jesus, or its importance, was not known by Herod. He was not concerned to know more about Jesus, but simply where he was born. Knowing that Herod kills anyone he doesn’t want around, it is not hard to conclude that he has evil intensions toward Jesus.

In this meeting with the priests and scribes: “They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:”” (Matthew 2:5 ESV). It is from the scriptures that the answer is given to Herod as to where Jesus was to be born. As we have already seen in our journey, God made sure that Mary was in Bethlehem when it was time for her to deliver her baby.

The Scripture that was quoted to Herod was: “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” (Matthew 2:6 ESV). King David was the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons and was born in Bethlehem. David was a great king, but according to Micah, there would be an even greater king with special characteristics: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2 ESV). Just as David was from Bethlehem and ruled as a prince over Israel, so it was to be with Jesus.

Prayer

Father, ever since Adam’s sin of disobedience: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God” (Romans 3:10 ESV). Since that day there has been opposition against any form of the true and living God. This opposition; this rising persecution against Jesus is just the beginning for Jesus as well as his followers. This persecution against followers of Jesus Christ is increasing today to where it is estimated that 90,000 died for their faith in 2016 with approximately 215 million Christians experiencing high, very high, or extremely high persecution. Early reports indicate that 2017 will be worse. Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are on the frontlines in combat with the powers of darkness for their faith.