HEROD was troubled, and not he only, but all Jerusalem with him. And why was this? Certain wise men had come from the East to Jerusalem, having been instructed by God of the birth of the King of the Jews, and they presented themselves in the city of the King, with their gifts, for they had come to worship Him.
The coming of the King meant the putting down of many “mighty from their seats,” and Herod the king amongst them; so no wonder that he was troubled. But why should all Jerusalem be disturbed? Jerusalem was the seat of true religion on the earth. Its temple, in course of erection, was for Jehovah’s habitation; its services, its glories, were all for God’s glory. Why, then, should Jerusalem be troubled at the coming of her King?
Herod called for all the chief priests and scribes of the people; he would know on sound religious authority where the Messiah of Israel’s hopes should be born. The Scriptures of God were opened, the prophecies unrolled, and Micah’s words, uttered seven hundred years before Christ’s coming, were quoted. To Herod’s inquiry the answer was readily given― “In Bethlehem of Judæa.”
There was a handful of loyal hearts in Jerusalem waiting for the consolation of Israel: they read the Scriptures in loving hope; but Herod’s instructors in divine truth seemed to have had little joy in Christ. We do not hear of even one of them going to Bethlehem to worship the King! But the wise men departed from the uncongenial palace of Herod, and their heavenly guide, the star in the sky, went before them, and “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
They beheld the infant King, and “they fell down, and worshipped Him,” and they presented to Him their offerings, their gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Israel gave Him no welcome; the chiefs of Jerusalem had no heart to see Him; none of His own gave Him royal homage, this was rendered to Him alone by the great men from the East, into whose hearts God had placed holy desires for earth’s Ruler.
As for Herod, his only thought about Christ was at once to get rid of Him, and to make sure of his purpose he slew all the children of Bethlehem and its surroundings, from two years of age and under. His sword fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the tears of the disconsolate mothers; and then Herod died―the murderer of the little ones of Bethlehem, and the enemy of the Christ of God.
Herod, and the religious world he consulted, knew well that the Lord’s coming was declared in the Word of God; therefore, he had no excuse. But he and Jerusalem did not want Christ! They could build the temple, and interpret Scripture, and the priests could perform religious services in the name of Jehovah, but their religion was Christless.
There is a solemn voice to us in their spirit. Christ is coming the second time. He was born the King of the Jews, and He must reign. Will He be more welcome at His second coming than He was at His first? Is it not written, “All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him”? When He comes He will disturb kings and chief priests and scribes. He was not wanted by man generally at His first coming, nor will He be wanted at His second coming. But when He comes the second time to this earth, it will not be as the Infant, but as King of kings and Lord of lords, attended by the armies of heaven. And when the great day of His wrath is come, who shall be able to stand?