Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been botn King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” (Matthew 2:1-8)
The New Testament begins with a king terrified at the thought of any rival to his throne. Herod the Great had been placed in office by the Roman authorities who ruled the province of Judea. But Herod – a notoriously cruel and despotic man – dreaded opposition. So paranoid was he in ruthlessly stamping out competition from his own family that the emperor Augustus said ‘It is better to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son’. Therefore, when distinguished eastern travellers brought news to Jerusalem that a genuine ‘king of the Jews’ had been born, panic swept through his heart. With crafty duplicity, he pretended a religious interest in the event, seeking precise details of the birthplace so that he might exterminate his rival.
Herod’s pledge to worship the new king was a cover for murderous hatred. But he could not halt God’s programme. The Lord Jesus was not just another king of the Jews, He was the Christ, the long-promised future ruler of Israel – and the whole world. When He comes back to this earth in public glory and power He will seize the reins of universal government, ruling in perfect justice and peace. The amazing good news for us right now, however, is that this great King first of all gave Himself as a sacrifice for sinners, to rescue us from the terrible eternal death penalty we deserve. When a sinner trusts the Saviour his life comes under the control of the Lord Jesus, who reigns in the hearts of all who surrender to Him.
Herod’s promise of worship was a fraud, and exposed a wicked heart. But even the sincerest religious ritual cannot make somebody right with God. Only through faith in the One who died for sinners can anyone be saved. Once saved, wise men and women gladly worship Christ, for in Him dwells all the fulness of Godhead. He’s the living God, the Creator of the universe, the coming King of the Jews – and the personal Saviour of all who trust Him. Is He yours?