Matthew 2

Throughout the ages, God has been the object of mankind's rage and scorn. From the highest thrones of power to the lowest gutter drunk, God has been and continues to be hated. When God acts in a way we find offensive, He is condemned as an unwelcome intruder or meddling busybody. When God does not act in accordance with our desires, He is condemned for being aloof and uncaring. No one has ever been hated as much as the God of the Bible!

Herod the Great felt threatened when he heard from the Magi from the East of the arrival of the "King of the Jews" (Matt. 2:2). Seeking to display their reverence and devotion to this newborn king, the Magi unwittingly informed Herod of God's purposes. Troubled by this news, Herod inquired concerning the coming of this "Messiah" (Matt. 2:4). He learned from the prophetic oracles of Israel that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem. Herod hoped to use this knowledge for his own advantage. Recognizing that the "King of the Jews" was still only a helpless "child" (Matt. 2:8), he hoped to crush him before he was strong enough to take his throne. Herod's heart raged against the coming king. He was the first human king to oppose Jesus; he would not be the last!

From the very beginning, Jesus was hated and His life was threatened. Jesus was merely an infant, and yet already he was the target of an enraged king's fury. Sadly, many young innocents would suffer the wrath of Herod as he blindly sought to stop God's Messiah. Herod's rage caused others to suffer and ultimately led to his own downfall.

We may well ask with the Psalmist, "Why do the nations rage, and the peoples of the earth devise a vain thing? Why do the kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His anointed?" (Psalm 2:1-2). God's message has never met with approval by the masses. Those with the most to lose (from an earthly perspective) have usually been the ones to rage against God most.

Yet, even the wrath of man is not outside the purpose and plan of God: "For the wrath of man shall praise you" (Psalm 76:10). Men may rage, but none can thwart the plan of God. "His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:34-35).

This would not be the first time Jesus was attacked. His entire life would lead to a point when the enemies of God would surround, overtake, and ultimately, kill him. Yet, even here, God's purpose would be fulfilled. The rage of the kings found in Psalm 2:1-2 ultimately finds its fulfillment in the rage expressed against Jesus on the cross. "For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your purpose predestined to occur" (Acts 4:27-28). From the thrones of man to the very people of God, Jesus was hated, opposed, and rejected.

The rage against the king continues. At the same time, reverence before the king continues. Both Herod and the Magi claimed to seek the King in order to worship Him (Matt. 2:2, 8), but only one really meant to do this. Which of the two better represents you?

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, far from opposing you, I embrace and worship you. I surrender my soul to you and your Christ. Thank you for bearing the wrath I deserve, Lamb of God. I am not above my Master. Teach me to rejoice in persecution for your sake. Amen.

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you." (John 15:18)

© Richard J. Vincent, January 16, 2000