This sermon proclaims the unrivalled Kingship of Jesus Christ through comparison with King Herod. Even as a baby, King Jesus was glorious rightly receiving the witnesses worship, and in doing so making King Herod look impotent, weak, and pathetic.
The first comparison drawn is between the length of their Kingly reigns. Herod’s Kingship was for a temporary period and only over the region of Judea. In contrast, Jesus’ reign is eternal, and not restricted by geographical boundaries.
The second comparison regards the preservations of their Kingly reigns. Herod trusted in his own works and actions to remain as King. In contrast, Jesus’ was preserved as the eternal King by multiple miraculous dreams, and multiple prophetic fulfilments. The divine intervention in Jesus’ life in this chapter alone demonstrates to us just how special a King Jesus was and is.
The final comparison refers to how Herod and Jesus related to people. Herod sought to manipulate, deceive, trick, and abuse people into doing things that would help achieve his personal goal of remaining King. In contrast, Jesus rich in love, chooses to use a diverse range of people that will listen to and obey him in furthering his kingdom advance.
Lord, help us particularly over this Christmas period, to dwell in wonder and respond in worship of the eternal King you have always been.
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