Herod: Building a Kingdom

Herod.  Born in the midst of civil war.  Raised in political turmoil. He appeased the Jews when it suited him, and revered the Romans when it empowered him.  His accomplishments in engineering and architecture are rarely noted in the Christmas story – a gifting overshadowed by unfortunate character.

Paranoia, fear, and violence would plague his rule.

Power was his opium.

Sometimes, when I think of Herod’s history I picture him as a little kid watching his father negotiate the same political ballet that he would soon enter.  I see him trying to fit into a Jewish society when his parents were more distinctly, especially his mother, Arab.  Did he ever feel like he fit in?  Did he feel forced into politics, or did he see it as a way of being accepted? Free? At peace?

Herod reminds me of a very important truth.

Things can get messy when you try to build your own Kingdom. 

If only Herod would have made it to Matthew 5.

Jesus laid out the blueprints for building a true Kingdom of peace in the sermon on the mount - His Kingdom.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:3-5

As we turn towards a fresh year, may we submit our goals and desires to Jesus, asking again for Him to use us, and our lives fully lived, to build His Kingdom wherever we are.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14