After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1 - 3
King Herod was also known as Herod the Great. The name should have been, Herod the Crazed. Herod was evil. He had ten wives and at least 14 children, three of which he had executed. He was suspicious and prone to passionate outbursts, which leads many historians to believe that he was in some form mentally ill.
Herod was a Jew (converted) who was an appointed Roman king. He had colossal dreams and views of himself; he is known as much for his ambitious building projects as he was for his brutality.
It's difficult to think of how God could use Herod in the Christmas story. As we go farther in Matthew 2, we see that Herod, so alarmed by the appearance of the Magi and their questions of a new king, orders all male children under the age of 2 to be executed.
Bethlehem was a small town. Some historians think the number of murdered babies could be as low as 20. But that's not a low number, not to any sane, rational person, and not to God.
How could God use this horrible man and his evil deeds in the story of His Son?
Why did there have to be horror?
Why did a time of hope for some have to be a time of tragedy for others?
In short . . . I don't know. All I know is this: nothing will stop God's plan. Nothing. Not an evil madman. Not dead children. Not even Satan himself (who we will discuss tomorrow).
God's plan was for the Messiah to come, to offer Himself as a sacrifice for all mankind. To pay the price for our sin. That is His ultimate plan of redemption, and nothing could stop it.
Herod is important to the Christmas story, because he reminds us that not all that was happening during this time was good. And yet . . . God still triumphed.
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