(This sermon was delivered in the first person with Pastor Rich performing as Herod)

Vs. 8 “Go make a careful
search for the child.”

Do they not have eyes to see with?  Can they not recognize a king when they see one?  I am the only king they will see.  There is no need to look for another, for another will not be found.  There is only one king, me, Herod.

How dare they even suggest that there might be another king?

What kind of fool do they take me for?  Did they honestly think that I would not see through their story?

How wise can these magi be?  To tell me a tale about a star that heralds the birth of a king and then to think that I would fall for such a hideous tale.   Did they honestly think that I would not see through their lie?

This is part of a plot to overthrow my reign.  The question is, who is behind it?

Surely my sons aren’t foolish enough to make another attempt at my throne.   Do they not realize that I will gladly kill them as I have killed two of their brothers?

But if it is not my sons, who then?

The wise men did say,

Perhaps they have come from Parthia. Parthia, my adversary.  Parthia, do you plan to make a move on my Judea?  You have always been envious of my kingdom. You think you are powerful but you are nothing against my legion of men.

Has your desire to overthrow my kingdom made you blind to my greatness and power?  Have you forgotten about my conquests and how I built my magnificent palace at Masada, at my seaport at Caesarea Maratima, and the Herodian.  Do you desire to become my next victim to die?

The Jews would welcome an attack from Parthia.  The Jewish leaders have hated me since I was governor and executed some of their own without getting their consent. They have been plotting my death since Caesar pardoned me and made me king over all Judea.  They accuse me of usurping the throne that belongs to the house and lineage of their beloved King David.  They claim to be desperate under my reign.  Nothing would bring them greater joy then to start a revolt and have word of the revolt get back to Rome.

Those ingrates, I should have killed more of them when I had the chance.  And yet a Jewish revolt would give me reason to kill them all.  If it is more terror and bloodshed they want I will give it to them. But even they are not that stupid.  They will not give me such an excuse.

Although, since their exile they have been foolishly awaiting the coming of their Messiah.  According to their prophets this Messiah, this king would be born in Bethlehem in Judea.  Bethlehem, what kind of king is born in Bethlehem?  Not a king that I would be frightened of.

Nevertheless, I will not stand for such talk about the birth of a new king. I will order the wise men to be executed, so all can see that I will not stand for such disloyalty.  If anyone has any sympathy for these men and their story I will execute them as well.  They would be quick to get this news to Rome.

No, I will send my soldiers to accompany the wise men.  When they find this newborn king they can bring him back so I can kill him and end any talk that a messiah is born.

Why waste my time, as if they will find a king.  I will tell the wise men, “Go make a careful search for the child and when you find him come back and tell me so I can go and worship him myself.”

While I wait to tell the wise men that they should go to Bethlehem let me ask you, would any of you care to join them?  Do you desire to go and search diligently for this Child?  Do any of you want to go worship Him?  Your prophets say,

“He will be a wonderful counselor,
a mighty God,
everlasting Father,
a prince of peace.
The government will be upon his shoulders and there will be no end
to His reign of justice and righteousness."

Go make a careful search
for your Christ.