It is, perhaps, hard to wrap our minds
around the terrible decision Herod made to kill all the boys in Bethlehem in
order to protect his throne and kingship. History bears out, however, that the
powerful have often preyed upon the weaker to defend their self-interests.
Matthew records this sad event with
mournful tones as he quotes, “The Weeping Prophet,” Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud
lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted,
because they are no more.
This scene displays how deeply the world
hates God and resists His presence and reign. In our sinful nature we would
rather kill this little boy than submit to him. Indeed, our world has made it
perfectly acceptable to kill children rather than “burden” parents with an unplanned
and unwanted pregnancy, or a “defective” child – as long as they aren’t born
yet. It is but a small step to allowing a period of time after birth for
parents to decide upon life or death, and arguments are being made even now to
allow for the killing of unwanted or handicapped children after they are born.
It is the sheer cruelty of this scene
that confronts us with a painful truth: the wickedness of the human heart is
more than willing to do whatever is necessary, even murder, to get its way. (To
be sure, many of us have not experienced this to such an extent, but we have
all become angry in our sin and so doing become murderers. (Matthew 5:21-22))
Yet, in the midst of this cruelty we
behold the Christ-child. We read of the pagan Magi worshiping Him through their
travels and gifts. We see the boy that Joseph, at the angel’s word, named
Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.” This includes the sins of
murder, self-love, misuse of others, and idolatry. The one that Herod tried to
kill is the one that would eventually willingly die to save us all from the
source of death – our sin. No matter how the world rejects Him, He continues to
draw people to himself – no longer with a star but by His Word and by us who,
have become, “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and
twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast
to the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15-16 ESV)
Lord, help me shine Your Word to the world,
so they may know redemption from their sin, even as I am forgiven in You. Amen.
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