Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose] and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1-3 NLT
King Herod lived during the time of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. History says that Herod was Jewish. Make that Jew-ISH. Kind of a Jew. His parents were mixed in their lineage and didn’t have the pedigree. He was not Roman but was granted the title of "King of Judea" by the Roman Senate, and he was a vassal of the Roman Empire.
While Herod publicly identified himself as a Jew and was considered as such by some, this religious identification was in name only. He did consider himself “King of the Jews.” But he behaved like a Roman. He was a petty monarch within the Roman values, and his living and ruling followed the pattern they established for petty provincial rulers. He was loyal to Rome, spent much money on huge building projects, curried favor with Roman business and political wealth, and he killed even his own family members he thought were a threat. Anything to stay King.
Of course he wanted a peaceful and docile population and a beautiful capitol city, so projects like restoring the Temple suited him. But he did not observe Jewish law and had no love for Israel. The people were simply rabble to be taxed and pacified, and their religious authorities had to be controlled. They didn’t need a Messiah. They had him. Josephus, Jewish historian, recorded that Herod was far from great.
With that background, it’s easy to see why when the wise men arrived with evidence that the long-awaited Messiah had been born, King Herod was not excited. He was agitated and anxious. He had never wanted to hear what God had to say, and he wasn’t going to start now. They had been getting along fine without any word from the Lord. It had been more than four hundred years since the last prophet had spoken for God, and things were all right as they were. Herod only feigned interest in the wise men, not to hear from God, but to silence the new-born King forever.
Historians say Herod was a nominal Jew – a Jew in name only. When the rubber met the road, he simply didn’t want to hear or follow what God had to say. He was distant. That’s what it means to say someone is a nominal Christian. They identify in name only. Not in obedience and following. They are distant from the Messiah. They don’t lean in to hear from God, not because they don’t have opportunity, but because they want to remain King. They don’t want to hear from the real King.
- Am I Herod or one of the Wise Kings? Will I give up my seat on the throne to hear Him?