Compare Herod's reaction to Jesus with the wise men's in Matthew 2. Opening the Scene: Same Child, Opposite Responses • Matthew 2:3: “When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” • Matthew 2:11: “On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him.” • Luke 23:8: “When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because he had heard many things about Him, and he was hoping to see Him perform a sign.” Two different Herods, same Messiah. One line of rulers stays self-absorbed; foreign seekers bow in worship. Herod the Great: A Heart Threatened (Matthew 2) • Disturbed by the news of a newborn “King of the Jews” (v. 3). • Consults Scripture experts, not to believe, but to control (vv. 4-6). • Feigns piety—“so that I too may go and worship Him” (v. 8)—while plotting murder. • When thwarted, unleashes violence: “he was filled with rage… he put to death all the boys in and around Bethlehem” (v. 16). • Mirrors Psalm 2:2 – “The kings of the earth take their stand… against the LORD and against His Anointed.” Key motive: self-preservation. Any rival to the throne must be eliminated, even if that rival is God’s promised Messiah. The Wise Men: Hearts Drawn to Worship (Matthew 2) • See the star, recognize fulfilled prophecy (Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 60:3), and travel far. • Ask, “Where is the One…? We have come to worship Him” (v. 2). • Respond to revelation with obedience; follow the star right to Jesus (v. 9). • Posture: “fell down and worshiped Him” (v. 11). • Gifts: gold (royalty), frankincense (divinity), myrrh (sacrificial death)—all offered freely. • Heed God’s warning in a dream and bypass Herod’s trap (v. 12). Key motive: adoration. They rejoice “with great joy” (v. 10) and give of themselves. Herod Antipas: Curiosity without Repentance (Luke 23:8) • “Greatly pleased” to see Jesus—yet only for entertainment: “hoping to see Him perform a sign.” • Treats the Son of God as a novelty. When no miracle is granted, he mocks (Luke 23:11). • Shows the same family trait: interest that never yields submission. Key motive: self-indulgence. Seeks spectacle, not surrender. Side-by-Side Contrast Motives • Herod the Great: protect power. • Wise men: honor the true King. • Herod Antipas: satisfy curiosity. Actions • Herod the Great: deception → slaughter. • Wise men: journey → worship → generous giving → obedience. • Herod Antipas: questioning → mockery. Spiritual Outcome • Herods: hardened, judged (Acts 12:23 shows another Herod struck down). • Wise men: privileged to behold Christ and enter His story of redemption. Echoes through Scripture • Proverbs 4:23 – “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Herods did not; the wise men did. • Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” The Magi fulfill this; the Herods never do. • John 1:11 – “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Herods embody the rejection; Gentile wise men foreshadow the worldwide reception. Personal Alignment: Choosing the Wise Men’s Path • Pursue revelation: stay alert to God’s leading, whether by Scripture, providence, or promptings confirmed by His Word. • Admit royalty: let Jesus rule every sphere—career, relationships, ambitions. • Worship first, give second: gifts flow naturally from adoration. • Obey promptly: when God redirects, follow without hesitation. The text stands literal, clear, and timeless: the same Savior still elicits either threatened resistance or humble worship. The wise choice is obvious. |
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