What happens when we try to be King of our own lives and wield power? Matthew 2:16-18

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. ¹⁷ Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The picture painted here – an angry king wreaking death and destruction in fury after being defeated – is terrifying. The events taking place – a killingspree of children, a manhunt for a baby boy­ are horrifying.

This is an earthly king displaying his earthly power in the face of frustration. It’s ugly and painful and heartbreaking – it’s only appropriate that there is weeping and mourning in response.

This is what happens when we set ourselves up as god in the place of the true God. Herod wants to be in control. This massacre is taking place because he is looking for Jesus – the newborn King of the Jews. Herod is facing a threat and so he reacts with might and terror. When we try to replace God with ourselves, only death and destruction can follow. This has been the story of humanity since the Garden of Eden, when we tried to take God’s power for ourselves and were banished from God’s presence as a result.

Herod is an earthly king. But the baby he is trying to kill, Jesus, is not an earthly king, but a heavenly, godly king. He came not to rule with power and might but to give up his power and die on a cross. When Jesus is faced with his moment of defeat at the cross, he doesn’t react in fury and rage as Herod did, but with mercy and forgiveness

– from the cross he cried “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they do.”

While Herod brings death to his people, Jesus died to bring life to those who follow him. Are you going to try and make yourself king and ruler over your own life, like Herod, or are you going to follow the King who brings mercy and forgiveness?

Head: When are you tempted to make yourself the ruler of your own life?

Heart: This story is heartbreaking. How does the suffering in the world make you react to Jesus as the king?

Hands: What is something you are tempted to control that you can give up to God today?

Prayer: Dear Father, when people do terrible things to each other, help us look to you as the ruler who used his dying breath to forgive those who killed him. Forgive us for the times we want to be in control and be king instead of you. Be with us today as we give all of our lives to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A song to listen to: Jesus Paid it All https://open.spotify.com/track/73Elpn5AcedCWPOmxWMxH9

Beccy Cree

This Grow Daily was  originally posted as part of the God With Us – Matthew series. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the Grow Dailys over the years.