The news of the arrival of the magi then came to the palace of Herod the Great, a descendant of Edom. This ruler was bitterly hated by the Jewish populace, so his security apparently lay in three things:

1. Intimidation through violence and murder

2. Political ties to Rome

3. Lavish enrichment of the temple, a stupendous source of pride for all.

Indeed, it is a frail foundation that props up the tyrants of this world! Here we see a man plagued by fear of losing his position. His strategy now was to pretend to be a friendly “nice guy” interested in truth. (Have you ever met people like this?)

“Herod suspected the priests of plotting with the strangers to excite a popular tumult and unseat him from the throne. He concealed his mistrust, however, determined to thwart their schemes by superior cunning. Summoning the chief priests and the scribes, he questioned them as to the teaching of their sacred books in regard to the place of the Messiah’s birth.”2

Herod’s actual concern was only to maintain his kingly position, his power over the realm. But now suddenly he was pretending to be interested in Scripture.

The plot thickens. . . . A selfish, power-hungry worldly man then goes to meet with some selfish, power-hungry religious men:

Herod “was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born” (Matthew 2:3, 4). Notice, in stressed-out tension he “demanded” this information.

So, the guardians of the sacred oracles had to do some homework. In response, they found in Micah 5:2 that the answer was Bethlehem. But the verse also clearly reveals who that Ruler is! Someone “from everlasting”! This is a different kind of Ruler—One not limited to an earthly throne such as that jealously being clutched by Herod. But no one seemed to care about that fact. Worldly-minded people focus on this world and how they can desperately achieve and maintain their stranglehold on reigning over others. That’s their priority.

Next, the sly Herod invited the wise men to a private interview. Cleverly disguising his furious rage, he courteously inquired of them as to what time the star appeared. “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” (Matthew 2:8).

Really? This bitter Edomite is suddenly eager to worship Israel’s new young king? Hardly!

Yet, by God’s grace, the faithful wise men continued to be guided by a divine Hand: “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:9–11).

In tune as the wise men were with the Spirit of God, “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12). By God’s Providence, their generous gifts were to supply the means for Joseph and Mary’s journey into Egypt and temporary sojourn in that foreign land. Thankfully, Joseph had also been warned in a dream to flee from the wrath of Herod—wrath which his little family was spared the misfortune of seeing. He simply fled by faith, in obedience to the instruction: “The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matthew 2:13, 14). (This was the direct fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy found in Hosea 11:1.)

Tragically, a Scripture found in Jeremiah 31:15 was soon afterward fulfilled: “Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.”

Herod could not bear a biblical reality issued by the Majesty of the universe: “Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27). Centuries before Herod, even the great Nebuchadnezzar had not been able to prevent this overturning. In Daniel chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar learned in a dream from divine Inspiration that other empires would follow his. His portion of the statue in his dream was gold, but the rest was not. He could not endure such a dampening of his pride! In the next chapter, Daniel 3, we see him making a statue entirely of gold, likely in a vain attempt to try to alter the course of future history. Thus is illustrated the unbridled lust of human ambition and fear of reduction in worldly status.

Now back to Herod:

“Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).

Why did the Lord allow Herod and his soldiers to conspire in such a horrible massacre against innocent children? All these occurrences were part of a bigger picture than mere human eyes could see:

“Herod waited anxiously for the return of the wise men; for he was impatient to carry out his determined purpose to destroy the infant King of Israel. After he had waited long for the knowledge he desired, he feared his purpose might be thwarted. He reasoned thus: Could those men have read the dark deed he premeditated? Could they have understood his design, and purposely avoided him? This he thought was insult and mockery. His impatience, envy, and hatred, increased. He was stirred by his father, the devil, to seek the accomplishment of his purpose by a most cruel act. . . .

“Herod issued a proclamation to a large body of soldiers, whose hearts were hardened by crime, war, and bloodshed, to go throughout Bethlehem and all the coasts thereof, and massacre all the children from two years old and under. Herod designed in this cruel act to accomplish a double purpose: first, to exercise, by this bold act, his power and authority over the Jews; and, second, to silence their proud boastings in regard to their king, and also make his own kingdom secure, by murdering the infant prince whom he envied and feared. This cruel work was accomplished. The sword of unfeeling soldiers carried destruction everywhere. The horror and distress of parents were beyond description.”3

“All this terrible calamity was suffered of God, to humble the pride of the Jewish nation. Their crimes and wickedness had been so great that the Lord permitted the wicked Herod to thus punish them. Had they been less boastful and ambitious, their lives pure, their habits simple and sincere, God would have preserved them from being thus humiliated and afflicted by their enemies. God would, in a signal manner, have made the wrath of the king harmless to His people, had they been faithful and perfect before Him. But He could not especially work for them, for their works were abhorred by Him.

“The Jews had excited the envy and hatred of Herod against Christ, through their false interpretation of the prophets. They taught that Christ was to reign over an earthly empire, in unsurpassed glory. Their proud boasting presented the Saviour of the world, and His mission to the earth, altogether in a false light. Their lofty ideas and their proud boasting did not result as Satan had at first purposed they should, in the destruction of the infant Saviour, but rebounded back upon themselves, filling their homes with mourning.”4

The fearful death of the cruel tyrant Herod also followed soon afterward. Regardless of whether the perpetrator of crime be Gentile or Jew, the biblical principle is the same: What is sown is reaped.

What about the ecclesiastical government of the Hebrew nation? Were God’s chosen people immune to the same level of acute envy? Let us consider the fruits borne by the elite career clergymen and the council known as the Sanhedrin.

At the unjust arraignment of Christ, even the heathen Roman governor Pontius Pilate “knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy” (Mark 15:10). The priests and rabbis had continuously stalked Jesus, sending “certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words” (Mark 12:13). They were constantly conspiring to find some premise on which they could condemn the innocent Lamb of God. Finally, at His trial, “the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death” (Matthew 26:59). Is this not conspiracy of the highest order?

The conspirators twisted Christ’s words: “At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days” (Matthew 26:60, 61). But did Jesus really make that comment? Had those been His words? What truly happened? Let’s look back at the scene: “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said” (John 2:18–22).

So, we see here that the Jews were bullying Jesus into producing a sign especially for them, by making a show that He was able to perform miracles. (This, of course, was not actually necessary since the validity of His many miracles spoke for themselves.) But their priority was to have their office and authority recognized, hence their demand of Him. Jesus had never said He was going to destroy their impressive temple. He spoke of the temple of His body, which He Himself, in cooperation with His Father, was soon to resurrect from the dead through divine power. As He explained on another occasion, “I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17, 18). “In him was life; and the life was the light of men;” “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 1:4; 5:26).

But instead of accepting the truth about the life-giving power of Christ, the professional ecclesiastics chose instead to twist His words to label Him as a domestic terrorist. Here’s a lesson for all today. Don’t blindly take someone else’s version of what a person has supposedly said or done. Follow the Golden Rule to do unto others as you would want done if you were the victim suffering under what could possibly be a grossly inaccurate accusation. Do your research, connect the dots, and even speak to the source yourself instead of relying on hearsay.

Why were these career clergymen so afraid of Christ? Was it because His words of life and compassionate works happened to garner more attention from the people than they could manage to muster for themselves? Was this an insult to their self-exalted dignity? Did they consider this lowly Galilean to be a threat to their aims of perpetual preeminence as the leaders in Israel?

Evidently, like Nebuchadnezzar and Herod, the career clergymen also failed to accept the same principle of the Almighty: “Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27). The One “whose right it is” was Jesus Christ—and just like the worldly kings, the career clergymen were so blinded by their own ambitious conspiracy that they refused to accept it.

Thankfully, there were refreshing exceptions to the tendency of the religious leaders. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are two such examples. These prominent men bravely came to the forefront to stand for Jesus following His unjust and ignominious death. They saw the need of the hour and generously gave to the cause without being asked.

Likewise, later, in the time of the apostles, Gamaliel, too, was a voice of reason amid an envious council that conspired against Christ’s followers, just as they had done while the Lord was on earth.

What about us? Are we willing to allow Christ to mold and fashion us into refreshing exceptions to the tendencies so common to the envious, conspiring world of today?

In the end, there will be a contrast between two different groups:

1. Those who strive for the highest place among their brethren on earth—and although they may achieve it and even jealously manage to maintain it through stratagem, show, backbiting, and conspiracy, they will finally see only this earth, not the kingdom of heaven.

2. Those who strive for the heavenly kingdom, even if it be at the cost of everything this world has to offer. These may suffer much humiliation here, but they follow in their Master’s footsteps, “for even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21–23).

In which group will we be? May the Lord help us to cherish His appeal to be among those who set their affection on things above, not on things on the earth—and are called, and chosen and faithful, whatever the cost!

“We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:14, 15). The slightest root of bitterness cannot be allowed to spring up in our hearts. We need to nip it in the bud!

“Let every manifestation of animosity or unkindness be checked; let every root of bitterness be removed. . . .

“By spiritual pride, a desire to dictate, an ambitious longing for honor or position, a lack of self-control, by the indulgence of passion or prejudice, by instability or lack of judgment, the church may be disturbed and her peace sacrificed.

“Difficulties are often caused by the vendors of gossip, whose whispered hints and suggestions poison unsuspecting minds and separate the closest friends. Mischief-makers are seconded in their evil work by the many who stand with open ears and evil heart, saying: ‘Report, . . . and we will report it.’ This sin should not be tolerated among the followers of Christ. No Christian parent should permit gossip to be repeated in the family circle or remarks to be made disparaging the members of the church.

“Christians should regard it as a religious duty to repress a spirit of envy or emulation. They should rejoice in the superior reputation or prosperity of their brethren, even when their own character or achievements seem to be cast in the shade. It was the pride and ambition cherished in the heart of Satan that banished him from heaven. These evils are deeply rooted in our fallen nature, and if not removed they will overshadow every good and noble quality and bring forth envy and strife as their baleful fruits.

“We should seek for true goodness rather than greatness. Those who possess the mind of Christ will have humble views of themselves.”5

We’ve seen here how conspiracies directly against the Son of man—God Himself in human flesh—were rooted in a fear of losing earthly positions. Our Lord commands, “The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25, 26).

“If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:14–17).

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5, 6). Nothing else matters.