subject: Issues Of Power And Control [print this page] He called in the religious leadersHe called in the religious leaders. He said, Man, come over to my crib. Just tell me, tell me where this new King is going to be born.
Lets pick up Scripture now. Matthew 2:4. When he had called together all the peoples chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. Look at verses five and six, In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.
It was no surprise about a King being born from Jews. If you know your history, the Jews were dispersed around the world. They were waiting for a king. And these religious leaders were simply quoting Micah 5:2 and 2 Samuel chapter two. King Herod, here it is. Scripture says this King, this Christ is going to be born in Bethlehem.
What was going on here? Ill tell you what was going on here. King Herod was misusing these religious leaders. You show me someone who has issues of power and control, and Ill show you someone who uses others, who looks at other people like theyre scenery or machinery, who looks at others like rungs on a ladder to get where they want to go. Thats what was going on. Herod could care less about the religious leaders. He just wanted to find out who this little kid was who was threatening his power. He misused.
He also misled, because the next thing he did was he invited the magi into his crib. Come on into my crib, man. I need an astronomy lesson. I dont know that much about the stars, and you guys know something is up and here youre asking questions. This star thing. Just lay the charts out.
So the wise men lay the charts out in his beautiful office desk and he looked and the wise men said, You know, according to our calculations and deductions, this Christ child, this King was born a year and a half to two years ago. Herod was like, Whoa. Let me give you a high five, man! Thanks a lot. I appreciate that. You guys are wise.
Ed Young Pastor said lets pick up reading Scripture again, Matthew 2:7-8. Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said Now this is hilarious.
