The Tale of Two Kings
Dan Anderson, Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church
Introduction
The Christmas story is full of wonderful characters that capture one's imagination. Oh, what must it have been like for Mary and Joseph to be told they were to have this special responsibility as parents. I always enjoy thinking about what it must have been like to be one of those shepherds sitting up on the hillside hearing of the great news. It is easy to find oneself amazed at the insight and generosity of the magi coming to see the one whom their ancient writings told about. And then there is the vulnerable little baby soundly sleeping on the hay, who was in fact God. Imagine, the King of the universe, right here with us.
This was one thing that Herod the Great did not wish to imagine. And in the midst of this story, like some villainous foe, this king swept down to snuff out the fragile life of this little child. If it weren't for the warnings in a dream, the life of that little baby would have ended right there on that cold night in the little town of Bethlehem.
And though this act of Herod's may have set his mind at ease, the reverberations of it still ring out to us today. For in this part of the story, there is something deeper going on hear than just an evil king's attempt to kill a baby. Here, in the persons of Herod and Jesus, are really pictures of two kings and two kingdoms, very different from each other.
Comparison of the two kings
Upon examination of these pictures we find that there are but few common traits shared by these rulers. In this story, both kings were attempting to maintain their respective kingdoms- Herod in Judea, and Christ in the universe. But as we look at there their philosophies and ultimate goals we will see that they are vastly different.
First let us Read Matthew 2:1-16, the story behind that brings these two individuals together
A look at the contrasts between the two kings portrayed in this story will reveal to us much more than a jealous king and a fragile baby. We can see two opposed kingdoms, whose distinctions are clearly seen through a comparison of these two kings. Let's examine a number of contrasts between the two.
| Born to a wealthy and influential family.
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Born to a poor, insignificant family, uneducated peasants.
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The beginnings of these kings are different.
Looking through the annals of history we find that Herod's ascension to the throne came about mostly because of his influential heritage. Herod was born into a family were his father had become the governor of Jerusalem. His father helped promote Herod to be the governor of Galilee. In a way he had to have his kingdom given to him
Jesus, on the other hand, was God--King of the universe. But then, as a result of a plan with His father, Christ left his place of influence to be placed in a family of little significance. What do the scriptures say in Philippians 2:6,7 "Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…" Christ could have chosen to be born into a family situation similar to Herod's, but he did not. When it says that the King of the universe emptied Himself, He didn't just do a halfway job, Christ did it all the way. By looking at Christ's birth and the rest of His life, we can see that in God's eyes, position, power, & prestige, do not determine the worth of the individual.
"In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism. It is not earned, nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ." DA 549 Our status in God's kingdom is solely dependant on our relationship with Him. There are none of the artificial boundaries of rich or poor, famous or infamous, or race that we find dividing us. In life, the playing field has been leveled. This truly is part of the Good News the angels sang about that Christmas news.
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Alien blood, hated by subjects, supported by Rome.
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Christ has a higher claim, being born to the kingdom. (A threat to Herod)
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Another way we can contrast these two kings is in their claim to the kingdom.
When the magi came and inquired about the new king, you can imagine that if king Herod was secure about his role, the news of a baby king's arrival wouldn't arouse such a reaction as it did. But to look at the severity of his actions reveals to us that he was in a precarious position, and he knew it. How? 1)He knew that he was really a foreigner in his own kingdom, 2) he knew he was hated by his subjects, & 3) he knew his only source of power was found in being associated with Rome. Three very fragile elements of his rule.
Christ's position in his kingdom was very sure. Why? 1) This new Prince had a higher claim in that he was born to the kingdom. 2) Members of Christ's kingdom are there by choice, drawn by the love of their king. & 3) His source of power was His Father, who rules over everything. The calm presence that Christ had as He went about his earthly ministry was a direct result of him feeling secure in his position as king.
| Religion was a matter of authority or control
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Religion is a response of love.
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Attitudes toward religion differed widely between the two kings.
For Herod, the practice of religion was free to the extent that it did not interfere with his authority and leadership. He allowed the practice of religion in order to benefit himself. In fact, many of the Pharisees were opposed to Herod and refused to take an oath of allegiance to him. As a result, none of them were allowed to exert a significant influence on politics.
In the kingdom of God, religion is not something to be forced or used as a means of gaining power. Rather, true religion is a person's response of love and gratitude to God for the gift of his Son. Evidence of true religion is not merely in compliance with God's law, but in genuine love shown to those around us.
| Herod forced power
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Christ allows freedom of choice.
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Another interesting contrast between the two kings is that it took more than three years for Herod to conquer and establish his kingdom, through the use of force, coercion, and deceit. It took more than three years, from the time of His anointing to the time of His death, for Christ to conquer the foe of his kingdom. And His methods were of self-sacrificing love, freedom, and steadfastness to truth.
| Herod's position demanded that people serve him.
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Christ lived to serve.
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By nature, Herod's position demanded that people serve him. Leaders expected that others would do certain things for them. Because of their position in society, Jews were often those "others."
"In the kingdoms of the world, position meant self-aggrandizement. The people were supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes. Influence, wealth, education, were so many means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders. The higher classes were to think, decide, enjoy, and rule; the lower were to obey and serve. . ." DA550
Christ, as king of the universe, had been in heaven, where angels waited to do His bidding. But in His coming to earth, he chose to be a servant. He lived to serve others, as seen so graphically at the Last Supper.
"Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows. To even the lowliest of Christ's disciples it is said, 'all things are for your sakes.' 2Cor 4:15"
| The gifts given to his kingdom were given to empower his rulership, to build up prestige,
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God's gifts, in particular, the gift of His Son, are to empower those who recognize their powerlessness.
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Herod was known both in Jerusalem and as far away as Greece and Syria for his building projects. He built the city of Caesarea, and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. These were given as gifts, with no apparent gain to himself. All of this, however, was done to gain the favor of Rome and of his subjects, to further empower himself, and to gain advantage.
Unlike Herod, who would not do anything unless it would benefit himself, God gave the gift of His Son at the risk of losing everything. All of His gifts are given to empower fallen humans to rise above their weakness through His strength. God's gifts give the advantage not to God, but to man.
| The result of his lifestyle left him suspicious of everyone
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Love your enemies, and pray for those who despitefully use you.
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One might suspect that the way that Herod gained his kingdom would lead him to be quite attentive to what others were doing. I can't image that he gained many friends in Israel by his slash and burn philosophy as seen in Bethlehem. But in the way he lived his life, whom could he trust? He killed even his own sons because he suspected that they were plotting to take over his kingdom. Who could trust someone like that?
The philosophy of Christ's kingdom was radically different. While Herod killed his sons to maintain power, Christ was a Son who allowed himself to be killed in order to give others power to overcome sin. Not only did he place himself among his fallen creation, He loved even those who would not receive him.
"The thought of His own agony did not intimidate that noble, self-sacrificing soul. It was the sight of Jerusalem that pierced the heart of Jesus-- Jerusalem that had rejected the Son of God and scorned His love, that refused to convinced by His mighty miracles, and was about to take His life. He saw what she was in her guilt of rejecting her Redeemer, and what she might have been had she accepted Him who alone could heal her would. He had come to save her: how could He give her up?" DA 576
Quite different from Herod, who killed those who were even suspected of evil intentions, Jesus knowingly included among His disciples one who would eventually betray him.
While Herod, at the height of his reign, destroyed all the babies in Bethlehem in order to maintain his power, Christ, at the prime of His life, voluntarily gave Himself up so that others might have power to become children of God.
| In his kingdom there was rejoicing at his death, though he intended for the nation of Israel to mourn at his death.
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In heaven there was rejoicing at His death.
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Seeing all that Herod did, it is no surprise that he "was not loved by his people; they hated him for his heavy taxation, his paganizing activities, and his unbounded cruelties. When he fell ill and it was declared that he could not recover, wild rejoicing broke out in Jerusalem, and a mob tore down the golden eagle--hated emblem of the Roman overlords--that Herod had placed over the entrance to the Temple. When he did recover, however, Herod wreaked his vengeance upon many of these disappointed celebrants. BC 41
Though it was hatred toward Christ that caused the Jews to crucify Him, there were his followers who mourned. In the universe, however, there was rejoicing of a much different nature than what was exhibited by the Jews at the impending death of Herod.
"Well might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour's cross; for though they did not then understand all, they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain, that the redemption of man was assured, and that the universe was made eternally secure." DA 764
| Herod was a guilty man who desired the innocent to die with him.
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Christ the innocent, chose to die with criminals
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"Sensing that his last days were upon him, the old king ordered his sister Salome to imprison all the leaders of the Jews and to kill them as soon as he himself was dead, in order that the nation might be in mourning when his time came. Although she did carry out the order of imprisonment, Salome later released the men." BC 41
Herod, a guilty man, desired that innocent people should die with him. On the other hand, Christ, though innocent, chose to die with criminals. "And he was numbered with the transgressors." Isa. 53:12
| Herod-the son of Esau
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Christ-the son of Jacob
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There are many more contrasts we could find between these two kings of the Christmas story. But perhaps the most striking of them involves their lineage. Looking back at their respective family trees, we find that both Herod and Jesus are descendents of Abraham and Isaac, Jesus being from lineage of Jacob, and Herod, being an Edomite, from the lineage of Esau.
While this fact seems to draw the two together, from this point on, the similarities totally disappear, and a clear distinction, a clash of ideologies, becomes apparent between the two kings, opening to us new meaning and insight into the two kingdoms at war in the universe.
Reflecting back on Herod and Jesus' shared family history, it is noteworthy that while Jacob's interests centered on obtaining the special spiritual blessing of the family, Esau cared more for the temporary satisfaction of food.
Read Gen. 25:29-34
One thing we notice here is that Esau's interest in immediate gratification superseded his regard for God and spiritual blessings. Jacob's desire for the birthright stemmed from his interest in the spiritual blessing that came along with it. Through this blessing, he and his descendents were to be a blessing to others.
Christ, as Jacob's descendent, came to establish a spiritual kingdom. He gave up his position of authority and power in order to pass on heaven's spiritual blessings to those who otherwise could never have them.
When the wise men came inquiring about the newborn king, Herod's constant desire to maintain his earthly position kept him from discerning the real nature of the kingdom that Christ came to establish. Herod could have chosen to be part of this kingdom that was described to him from the Jewish Scriptures, but, like Esau, the love of ease, desire for self-gratification, blinded him to his opportunity. And by doing this, the descendant of Esau also missed his chance at spiritual blessing that God wishes to give to everyone.
The lessons of this Christmas story are being lived out even today. You also can choose which lineage you associated with, which kingdom you want to be a part of, and which king you want to serve. Now, it is easy for us to say "yes, I want to be part of God's kingdom," but do we really internalize the meaning of this statement?
Christ did not come as a baby and suffer what He did to have people superficially committed to Him.
The kingdom He offers us is to be established in every aspect of our lives. It must be everything or nothing.
The King of the Universe wants to be born in your heart today. Which Kingdom will you choose
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Friday, March 6, 2009 at 8:28AM 
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