Herod had more power than...
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Object:
Herod had more power than any governor or president in the United States. He answered
to no one but Caesar. The police and army did his bidding. Herod regularly executed
people that he suspected of wanting his throne. Victims of his suspicious wrath included
his wife, his best friend, and three of his own sons. He unmercifully killed any potential
rival.
When the wise men arrived looking for the one "born king of the Jews," Herod wanted to kill that newborn infant, too. He couldn't locate the baby, so the enraged king tried to kill every male child two years of age and under. His malevolent plan would have worked under ordinary circumstances. But no king, ruler, Caesar, or dictator could kill Jesus prior to the time God had set. Despite Herod's machinations, Jesus became the eternal king. Our own rulers sometimes do terrible things. But they can do only what God permits. Do you trust God to work his righteous plan or do you fret about the evil rulers of this present age?
When the wise men arrived looking for the one "born king of the Jews," Herod wanted to kill that newborn infant, too. He couldn't locate the baby, so the enraged king tried to kill every male child two years of age and under. His malevolent plan would have worked under ordinary circumstances. But no king, ruler, Caesar, or dictator could kill Jesus prior to the time God had set. Despite Herod's machinations, Jesus became the eternal king. Our own rulers sometimes do terrible things. But they can do only what God permits. Do you trust God to work his righteous plan or do you fret about the evil rulers of this present age?
