God’s not afraid of Herod (or anyone)!

Matthew 2:1-12

¹ Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ² “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

³ King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴ He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁶ ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”

⁷ Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸ Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

⁹ After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

¹² When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

As I read this passage today it occurred to me that God was not worried about King Herod finding the newborn Messiah (Jesus), even though He would have been fully aware of Herod’s intent to eliminate Jesus.  God had spoken through the prophet Micah many years prior as recorded here – Bethlehem is the place to where you will find Him. No secret here!

In addition to the prophesy in the book of Micah, there was also a very obvious star placed in the sky by God to mark the location of Jesus’s birth. In one sense, this newborn baby was a sitting duck – a potential easy target for anyone who intended to find him and harm Him.

This is wonderful reminder of how God makes His plans and no person or power can stand against Him.  

I’m finding that the more I look at the One who is all powerful, the more I can relax into His plans and purposes for my life and for this world. I can rest in His power as I seek to walk in step with His purposes.

If you find yourself feeling anxious today about the world in general or about something in your world specifically, I encourage you to meditate on the One is not afraid of anything or anyone.

The God who is able to protect a helpless newborn baby from the evil plans of a powerful man like King Herod is able to look after you too!

Lord God, we acknowledge You as the Almighty King. Help us to place or anxiety and uncertainly into Your capable hands and rest in your love and power.

Written by Shelley Witt