Matthew 2:1-8, 16-18 December 2, 2001

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] 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. [5] "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

" '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 will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. [17] Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

"A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more."

CCI: Sin ignored can destroy our lives.

Intro: Today we begin a time of preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Christmas in our world has become little more than an excuse for merchandisers to try to balance their books. But that need not be the only significance for the day. Because most of our society is focusing on Christmas, we as Christians have a wonderful opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world. There are many ways we can do that ranging from the Christmas cards we choose to send to the parties we host to the family traditions we build.

Beginning today and continuing throughout the month, we will be looking at a group of characters who will teach us much about our response to the coming of Jesus into our lives. The men of Christmas are an amazing cross-section of the world at the time of Christ. From Herod, to Joseph, to the Shepherds, to the Magi, we find men who were all touched by Jesus birth. This morning we will be looking at a man who Rabbi Ken Spiro has called "one of the most important characters in Jewish History," Herod the Great.

Herod the Great was appointed King of Judea by the Romans in 37 BC and he reigned until his death in 4 BC. (By way of note, this is why we date Jesus' birth between 6 and 4 BC.) This was a different Herod than the man who killed John the Baptizer years later or the Herod who heard a portion of Jesus' trial when he was sentenced to death.

Herod was a powerful leader. During his reign Judea experienced great economic prosperity and relative social stability. The land of Palestine was very important to the Romans. Through this little province passed the great trade routes between the east and the west as well as the trade routes between Asia and Africa. In addition, Palestine was a fertile land which produced much of the olive oil (which was used for lighting) that was used in the Middle East. In addition they grew most of the dates which were the primary sweeteners in the region. Finally, Palestine was known throughout the empire for its wine production.

Herod was able to bring tremendous prosperity to the land by taxing the many caravans that passed through his territory.

He was also a prodigious builder. Spiro contends that if the list of the wonders of the ancient world had not already been closed by his time, Herod would probably have half the list to his credit. He built relentlessly. Cities, palaces and fortresses, many of which still stand. Masada, Herodium, and the city of Caesarea were just a few of his projects.

However, the most ambitious of all his building projects was the re-construction of the temple. It was probably begun to curry favor with his subjects. But the result was amazing. It took 10,000 men 10 years to build just the retaining walls around temple mount. The temple itself was amazing. The Holy of Holies was covered completely with gold, the walls and columns of the other buildings were of white marble, the floors were of a light-blue marble that gave the impression of moving water. Josephus, the Jewish Historian of Jesus's day described it this way:

Viewed from without, the Sanctuary had everything that could amaze either mind or eyes. Overlaid all round with stout plates of gold, the first rays of the sun it reflected so fierce a blaze of fire that those who endeavored to look at ti were forced to turn away as if they had looked straight at the sun. To strangers as they approached it seemed in the distance like a mountain covered with snow; for any part not covered with gold was dazzling white.

Herod's temple was an amazing structure. When he built it, he had hoped the people would love him for this gift. And he was generous. He reduced taxes to lighten the load of the people. And at one time, during a famine, he melted down his own golden dishes and used the gold to buy corn for his subjects.

However, despite his generosity and his accomplishments, he feared that perhaps someone would arise that would capture his people's hearts in a way that he could not. He was a jealous man. Herod was not a full-blooded Jew and so he knew he would never have the complete respect of the people. In order to protect his own sense of worth, he had all the genealogical records in Jerusalem destroyed. He then executed the 46 members of the Sanhedrin.

He loved his wife passionately, but his jealousy also played a part in that relationship as well. Eventually he executed the high priest he had appointed, who was his brother-in law, two of his sons and finally his precious wife.

Throughout his life, his suspicious and jealous nature continued to grow. When he placed a Roman Eagle at the entrance to the Temple, some Torah students took offense. These young men were summarily executed. His violence became known throughout the empire and Caesar once said, "It is better to be Herod's pig than his son."

This man who held such promise and gave such splendid gifts to the people of his kingdom, lost it all through his jealousy and suspicion. By the time of his death, he was so hated that he knew there would be no mourning for him. And so when his death was near, Herod ordered the arrest of all the prominent citizens of Jerusalem. At the moment of his death, they were all put to death as well in order to secure a proper attitude of grief.

This king, arguably one of the most important characters in Jewish history lost it all because he never understood he was accepted by the God he sought to honor by building the temple. He never found peace.

And so it is not hard to believe if there was a threat to his throne, like the one of which the Magi spoke, that Herod would have taken any steps necessary to eliminate that threat. Because Herod chose to not trust God, the coming of Jesus was nothing but a threat to be eliminated. Today Herod is remembered, not as a great leader, or as a builder, or as humanitarian. Today, Herod is remembered as a murderer of infants.

So what can we learn from this character of Christmas? What can God teach us from the tragic life of Herod the Great? First, there is the lesson that we cannot buy the pleasure of God. Herod hoped that building the temple would gain the favor of God on his reign. He had hoped that the kindnesses he showed on his subjects would win God's favor. But it was to no avail. No matter what we do, we cannot buy the pleasure of God.

Second, we must learn that even seemingly little sins, like jealousy, cannot be ignored. Jealousy and suspicion will destroy our lives if we do not release them to God. Herod had everything going for him. The Emperor liked him, the economy in his nation was good, but he was insecure in who he was. That insecurity cost him his very soul. Rather than believe that God accepted him as he was, he was threatened by anyone who was secure in themselves.

Jesus came to reverse that. The story of Jesus' birth demonstrates God's unquestioning acceptance. A Jewish teenager gave birth to God's son. Peasant shepherds first received the announcement of His birth. Foreign scholars traveled from distant lands to honor his birth. Jesus was not born in the middle of ceremony or splendor. His birth demonstrated the truth that God accepts all who come to him in faith.

And so, if God accepts us, and without a doubt God knows us better than anyone else, then we are acceptable. This truth is filled with security. As Paul said, some years later, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

And yet, to some today, Jesus is a threat. His teachings threaten our lifestyles as he calls us to simplicity. His call to love challenges our prejudices when we see him reaching out to those who are hated by the crowds. The example of his obedience challenges the control we want over our lives. Yes, even today, Jesus is seen as a threat.

But we have a choice, we can try to eliminate the threat by filling our lives with activities and silencing God's call with busyness. We can try to eliminate the threat by isolating ourselves from people who represent Christ, that is kind of what Herod did when he killed the children. We can try to ignore the call of Jesus in our lives by hardening our hearts like Herod did. Or, we can submit to God and choose to believe that he knows best.

Jesus came not only to be a baby who demonstrated humility. He came to give his life for us. The birth was just the beginning. If it were not for Good Friday and Easter we would have nothing to celebrate at Christmas. And so today, as we share in Communion, I want to invite you to once again use this act to declare your dependence on Jesus Christ. As you share in the bread, you declare that you are one with the body of Christ. As you share in the cup, you declare that it is His blood that flows through your spirit. Today, jealousy and suspicion can be vanquished because Jesus has accepted you and declared you his own.