Those Who Chose Not to Follow the Star
Most of the players in the Christmas story have wonderful attributes. They were human and imperfect, but they also had qualities that we should emulate. There are a few disappointing people, so today we will take a look at them—Herod and the religious leaders of that day.
The wise men had been carefully studying the stars for a sign about the long awaited Messiah and found a clue in the sky that they followed to find Him. In their search, they paid a visit to King Herod one of the most powerful men in the world. When the Magi told him of their discovery of a star in the heavens announcing the arrival of the King of the Jews, Herod was disturbed.
Did you ever stop and wonder why he was concerned? Why didn’t Herod know and expect the arrival of the king of the Jews? Why would a powerful king be threatened by a baby that wouldn’t even be old enough to rule for a couple of decades? Do you think he was worried because he had heard about the God of the Israelites and thought it could possibly be true?
Any way you look at it, he was anxious enough to affect all of the people around him because we learn that Jerusalem was also disturbed. Do you realize how much you affect the environment around you? You can lead people toward peace or confusion by your attitudes and actions.
Herod even brought in the religious leaders of the day—the chief priests and the teachers of the law who were able to tell him about the prophecy of Bethlehem being the birthplace of the coming Messiah. Wouldn’t you think that the religious leaders of all the people of that day would have been most interested in going to find the long awaited King? They knew what God’s Word said, but were unaffected by it. There are many people today who are the same way—they call themselves “religious” and may be in church each Sunday. They may also know a lot about what the Bible says, but they are not changed by it. I don’t want to be like that group.
Herod acted in secrecy to find out more about the timing of the birth, because he had an evil plan. He had to be sneaky, so he chose to lie to the wise men, to deceive them with false pretenses. He also let his temper rule his actions. He didn’t know which child was the newborn king, so he had all of the children of that age who lived near Bethlehem killed so that the threat would be gone. Instead of seeking the truth, he sought to destroy anything or anyone who got in the way of his own plans. Do you think that attitude comes with power, prestige and wealth or is it an attitude of the heart born in all people?
Herod could have been the first to welcome the newborn king. He could have fallen down to worship the baby Jesus. He could have been the one to proclaim the Good News to his kingdom. Herod’s life and all of history could have been transformed if his choices had been different, but instead pride, selfishness and anger won out. He lost his opportunity.
We all have a choice—we can choose Jesus or we can choose self. Which will it be for you this Christmas?
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
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