MONDAY December 30, 2024
When Mad Men Rule
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:17-18
The wise men had followed a supernatural star––His star. It led them to Jesus. When the wise men came into the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His mother. Immediately, the wise men fell down and worshiped Him. In an act of obeisance, they presented their precious gifts to the King. They gave Him precious gold, representing His royalty; expensive frankincense, recognizing His deity; and fragrant myrrh, relating to Jesus’ humanity and His coming death (Matthew 2:9-11).
King Herod was so mad with jealousy! He was determined to annihilate any threat to his throne––murder was in his heart. He wanted to hear back from the wise men so he could find the Child and kill Him, but they never returned. In a dream, God warned them not to return to Herod, so they left and went back to their country another way (Matthew 2:12). Joseph was also warned by an angel of the Lord in a dream of Herod’s evil intentions to destroy the young Child. He was instructed to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15).
Meanwhile, Herod, knowing he was betrayed, was filled with uncontrollable fury and anger. When mad men rule, they do the unthinkable! As he had previously spoken with the wise men, he had been able to determine the possible age of the Child. With this knowledge, Herod ordered the merciless slaughter of all the male children two years old and under, not only in Bethlehem, but also in its surrounding districts (Matthew 2:16).
The Bible tells us that man’s heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Without Christ, we are all capable of doing unthinkable acts. Only a life surrendered to Christ will bring the miracle of a changed heart.
The Lord knows very well that you cannot change your own heart and cannot cleanse your own nature, but He also knows that He can do both.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
