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The Contrast of Those Two Kings
Christ’s birth was the moment in history when the two most absolutely opposite kings confronted one another for the first time.
One was the ultimate earthly king named Herod. He sat that day at the pinnacle of power. His name was Herod the Great, descendent of Esau (or as the New Testament had it) an Idumean. Herod lived for Herod. He would soon slaughter the babies of Bethlehem in his desire to exterminate Christ. The theme of his life was: “What will it profit me?”
The other king was Baby Jesus. He was the King of Kings, the Creator of the Universe. He was the natural heir to David’s throne. He was the supreme King over all the kings of this earth. But He did not look like a king, wrapped in humble clothing. He would live to be rejected.
At the height of His ministry, He would die a criminal’s death. Had he wanted to, Jesus could have called forth legions of angels who would have vindicated His cause instantly and swept the usurper Herod from the throne. But Jesus did not want the throne in that way. He did not want the throne until you and I could share it with Him. To make that possible He died.
Here in Matthew 2, we can see that Herod acted like a king, looked like a king, lived like a king, and died like a king. Jesus Christ, the other King, was by all appearances poor, weak, fragile, powerless, unknown, and insignificant. Few ever realized that He was a King.
So God wants us to consider as we walk through His Word tonight, which king is the one we will follow: the Lord Jesus Christ or Herod?
That dramatic moment in history is found in Matthew 2. Let’s pause and read the story again in Matthew 2:1-23 and meet the two kings of Christmas.