The Legacy of the Other King of the Jews

Tuesday, January 01, 2013 Posted by Katie

Jesus is not the only King of the Jews mentioned in the Nativity narrative of the Bible. There is also Herod, King of the Jews. However, as biographies go, the life and times of King Herod are less than flattering. I find this fact interesting all on its own because I wonder sometimes about the editing process of what ended up in the Bible for generations of us to read a couple of millennia down the line.

If an individual is included in God’s word, to be remembered and reflected upon for all time, I would think that what is recorded boils down to the core truth of who they were and what they had to offer the world as a legacy.

Let’s take a look at the legacy of Herod, King of the Jews. When all the fluff of his royal self is burned away, what we have left is this:

He was disturbed. (Matt. 2:3)

He was paranoid. (Matt. 2:7)

He was a liar. (Matt. 2:8)

He was vindictive. (Matt. 2:16)

He was brutal. (Matt. 2:16)

He was merciless. (Matt. 2:18)

When our lives are written into the story of Jesus, the real King of the Jews, there is no hiding who we really are. As the scriptures say, “Who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver.” (Malachi 3:2,3)

So, my friends, as we enter a new year and an annual time of self-reflection, I pose this question to you. If your life were written into the story of Jesus, the real King of the Jews, what fluff of your life would be burned away and what portion of your character would remain as a lasting legacy?

May your life be one that inspires and further ignites the flame of Christ.