Message from Joe Frost, Director of Technology & Operations

Matthew-2:1-23 ...after Jesus was born... in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem...to worship [Jesus]. And being warned in a dream...they departed...by another way. Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men...killed all male children...in all that region who were two years old or under...

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He was the most popular man in the land. In fact, he was the King - Herod. And something very special was about to happen in the land over which he ruled - Jerusalem.

It started with a baby being born. Soon, Magi, traditionally known as wise men, but many more than three, came from the East. They sought the one who had been born King of the Jews. Herod, however, rather than rejoicing with the pronouncement that a King was born became troubled and whenever the King is troubled, all of Jerusalem was troubled right along with him.

Herod calls together his chief priests and teachers to determine where the Christ is to be born. And they tell him the truth from the writings of the prophet Jeremiah revealing Bethlehem as the location. Again, Herod misses the chance of rejoicing at the birth of the newborn King and sends the Magi secretly off. Not only does he miss the chance to spend time with some really special people like the Magi, but he misses the once in a lifetime opportunity to worship Jesus as an infant.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. Herod passes the decree to kill all boys in Bethlehem under two. Then rather than using Herod, God intervenes against him by warning the Magi to leave by a different route and warns Joseph to take his new family away from the danger.

We can only imagine what could have happened differently if Herod had been receptive to what God wanted rather than being so threatened by it that he tried desperately to keep it from happening. We can imagine the incredible party of Jesus being born, rather than in a manger, at the palace with all the Magi, shepherds, and others around. We can imagine rather than the devastation of killing all those babies; all the birthday celebrations. And rather than the flight from a jealous King the blessings and safe passage that might have been the earmarks of the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

Did Herod miss being used by God because he was King - no - not because he was King, but because of his pride. It seems that when he found out he might be replaced he stopped at nothing within his power to prevent it. Even when confronted by the smartest minds and prophecy all pointing toward a new King, he fought it.

God doesn't make mistakes. Seek Him in the daily routines of life; good or bad. We must not let our pride or stubbornness keep us from discerning His will for our lives.

Let's be ready, looking...