“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” Matthew 28:18
In King Herod we see a lesson that has been true throughout the ages. It provides insight into how people view the Jesus in the manger as compared to the Lord Jesus Christ. When Herod heard a child had been born in Bethlehem a year or two before the wise men arrived, it did not seem to bother him. For an extended period of time he left Jesus, Mary and Joseph alone. A babe born and placed in a manger is not a big issue – it was a nice story of peace on earth and good will toward men. The birth is an encouraging message meant for the poor downtrodden shepherds but there was nothing in that event that would appeal to intelligent, educated people. The Lord’s birth happened and was quickly forgotten. (The same as is at Christmas now.) Then the wise men arrived in town. These were educated, intelligent people. They had heard of this birth and travelled a long way to come to meet the one who was born. The message they proclaim sounds different in Herod’s ears. The babe is no longer a cute baby in a cradle, something is added. The wise men say this babe is the king of the Jews. That created two conflicts. First, the babe is assuming a position that Herod held. That babe is destined to rule over what Herod thought he was entitled to rule over. Two people can not sit on the throne. There is now a question of preeminence – who does the throne belong to? Second, the wise men said they came to worship, to pay homage, to that child. That meant He is their king too. This babe is worthy of people’s adoration. They were Gentiles. So this babe was not just the Jew’s king, but he would be the king of all people and that includes Herod and Rome. The issue with the babe did not end in Bethlehem, it continued throughout the Messiah’s ministry. Repeatedly the Lord is asked by scribes and Pharisees– “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” The babe in the manger grows into the Messiah who is to be worshipped and obeyed as king and ruler. Yet the scribes and Pharisees react just as king Herod did. “We will not have this man to rule over us.” Later when the Lord is accused by the Pharisees before Pilate their accusation shows their heart. Pilate would ask Christ if the Jewish accusation was true. “Then Pilate asked Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ He answered and said to him, ‘It is as you say.’ ” (Mark 15:2) At the Lord’s crucifixion Plate would have a plaque placed on the cross detailing the reason for His death – “The King of the Jews”. This infuriated the Jews. They reject this truth and demand Pilate edit it to read, “He said He was the King of the Jews”. Like Herod they can not stand that this man, the God-man, actually has authority over them. Who is He to tell them they are sinners? Who is He to tell them how to live? They rule their lives. What can we learn? The world is willing to tolerate a loving harmless babe in the manger. Singing some songs about love and giving gifts to one another makes us feel good with ourselves. We are basically good people, we don’t need to be changed, just understood and pampered. But Christ came to assume His rightful place as the authority over our lives. He has the authority to tell us the truth about what we really are and how to be right with God. When He does the world’s anger rises up like Herod’s and the Pharisees. What right does this man have to tell us that we are sinners and need a Savior? It should not surprise us for this is the first question Satan threw at Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Did God say?” Satan questions whether God actually said these words but he also, and more importantly, questions if God has the right, the authority, to tell Eve what to do. He contends God is a bad person using His authority to keep Eve from true joy. His authority , according to Satan, must be challenged. Thus we see that whether we accept God’s authority in our lives is the root out of which pride grows. We have the authority to make our own rules, we have the right to make our own decisions. Accepting God’s complete authority leads to humility. Rejecting God’s complete authority always leads to pride. We know better than God.The Christmas story happens every single day as each of us must decide who has the ultimate authority over our lives. If we reject Christ’s rule, we join with Herod and the Pharisees, “We will not have this man rule over us”. If we accept Him, we humbly bow and worship the King of King as LORD. The core issue of Christmas and of knowing Christ as our Savior and Lord is an issue of authority. Authority demands obedience and the evidence of accepting His authority is obedience to His words. How did Jesus say it? “If you love me, then you will keep (obey) my commandments (authority).”