A Pair of Kings

A recent Bible study I attended addressed the contrast between an earthly king and the King of Kings.  We were introduced to a New Testament character we know as Herod the Great.  From biblical writings as well as historical findings, Herod was obviously a powerful man.  Saying that on the one hand, his greatness came at a great price because he seemed to live in constant fear of someone coming along that was more powerful, and claiming authority over him. 

Herod built quite a string of fortresses which doubled as palaces, which were lined up to offer him an avenue of escape.  Should one be attacked by enemy forces, he could run to another.  All the fortress and palace building had labeled him as the "building king."  It was all to protect what was his, and if he had his way, he would maintain power and authority over all the people, and no one in their right mind would challenge his rule.  He was the picture of power, authority and magnificence.

I find it a bit ironic, during the reign of Herod, in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, there were only a few miles separating the Herodion, Herod's main palace and fortress, and the birthplace of Jesus. 

Our study that day was to draw a contrast between the two kings, Herod and Jesus, a study of God's plan in bringing kings together in order to fulfill eternal purposes.  The irony continues when King Herod, whose power demanded all authority and all glory for himself, was soon issuing edicts for the killing of babies because of rumors of the birth of the King of Kings. 

All of this story finds its roots generations earlier during some important Old Testament times.  You remember Rebekah, married to Isaac the son of Abraham, conceived and bore twin sons.  Esau, the first of the twins born, founded Edom, and Herod was one of his descendents.  Jacob, the other twin, founded Israel, and Jesus descended from the line of Jacob.  Every good Jew knew that even though Herod was their king, the day was coming when a king would arise from Jacob, and overpower the line of Esau. 

Jump forward to today when we remember Herod simply as a power hungry ruler, who demanded all the glory of being king, yet a baby killer in fear of losing his prestigious life.  Herod was now running scared of losing all his palaces, all his fortresses, his expensive belongings, and his position of prominence. 

We who love and follow Jesus, knowing him as our King, live with the blessing of knowing his faithfulness in purchasing our redemption through his sacrificial death on the cross.  Your King Jesus has been given all power and all authority and is the head of the church.  From Ephesians 1, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

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