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THE HERODS OF OUR TIME1
by Nick B. Fontanilla, Ph.D. (Word Document)

1.          Prophesy, Isaiah 9:1-7

1.1. 700 years before the Holy Birth, Isaiah declared: "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6).

1.2. In our New Testament text this morning (Matthew 2:1-12), Matthew relates a fascinating story that reveals an intense social and political sub plot to the completion of Isaiah’s prophecy. What makes this sub plot even more interesting is that it happened in Jerusalem which is about nine miles north of Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born. Bethlehem sits on a high ridge over 2,000 feet above sea level and is not easily reachable.

 1.3. Those days, that distance (nine miles and 2,000 feet) was formidable. But the news of that event in Bethlehem was felt by the King of Jerusalem who was nine miles away and reached many people including the wise men who had to travel thousands of miles to get to Jerusalem.

 2.         Matthew 2:1-12

2.1. The sub plot in Matthew 2: 1-12 presents responses by three participants: the response of Herod the Great, the response of the Magi (wise men), and the response of the religious leaders of Israel.

 2.2. Amazingly, a common historical reference brought these people together and inspired Matthew to write about it. This common historical reference is Isaiah 60, a poem recited to the Jews in Jerusalem about 580 B.C.E.

2.3. The Magi knew about Isaiah 60. They knew what their roles were. Most important, they knew that they will find the new king of all peace and prosperity.

 2.4. Because of what the wise men knew and as a result of that crucial encounter with Herod (described in verse 2), Herod (the current king in Jerusalem) learns about Isaiah 60 and about a new king.

2.5. Herod arranges a consultation with the leading Old Testament scholars to learn more about Isaiah 60.

 2.6. But the scholars, out of arrogance and egotism, use an audacious and terrifying paradigm. They tell Herod that the wise men are using the wrong text: That Isaiah 60 is misleading and does not give a faithful interpretation of the situation in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. That Isaiah 60 pictures a positive scenario for the urban elites, a scenario that is not accurate. The scholars then direct Herod to another text, Micah 5:2-4.

 2.7. This text is the voice of a peasant’s hope for the future. It anticipates a successful peasant uprising against the rulers. Micah anticipates a leader who will bring well-being to the peasant and the downfall of the urban elites. 

2.8. From this perspective, Herod sees the fulfillment of this prophecy as a threat. He orders death to every new born child and devastation to families. The rest is history.  

 2.9. This sub plot is the story of the three major participants in the nativity story. It is the story of two human communities: Jerusalem, with its great pretensions, and Bethlehem, with its modest promises. It is also a narrative of the struggles of families who bring Christ to their homes in a community run by greedy and pretentious leaders like Herod.

 3.         Herod’s Profile

3.1. What kind of a man was Herod?[1] Pastor Stephen Muncherian gives an ample description of Herod.

 3.2. “Herod - was only ½ Jewish. Through some shrewd political maneuvering, Herod got himself appointed by the Romans to be the king of Judea. Caesar gave him almost unlimited power. For 43 years - under Roman occupation - Herod ruled - with brutal authority - over a large part of the eastern Roman Empire.

 3.3. Herod was a builder. He launched a massive building program that included cities and fortresses. He built the Temple in Jerusalem that Jesus would enter 33 years later. Herod was generous, especially to his friends. During difficult economic times he canceled taxes.

3.4. But Herod had some serious problems. He had an enormous ego. He was insanely suspicious - fearful of anyone who might threaten his power - his carefully constructed world. Unger’s Bible Dictionary describes Herod as “a heathen in practice and a monster in character. During his administration as king, he evidenced himself to be exceedingly crafty, jealous, cruel, and revengeful.”

3.6. When Herod came to power he annihilated the Sanhedrin - the Jewish Supreme Court. He slaughtered 300 Court Officials. He murdered several of his own sons that he saw as threats to his power. Herod - who had 9 or 10 wives - murdered his favorite wife and his mother-in-law because he suspected them. Herod had his eldest son - the heir to the throne - murdered. As he was dying, Herod had the most prominent Jewish leaders rounded up and ordered that they be killed exactly when Herod died - just so someone would cry when he died.

3.7. This pathological man was hated - feared. There was no telling what this man would do. Herod is so afraid of loosing control of his own little world that he is willing to murder the Messiah - the Savior of his people and all mankind.”

 4.         Herod Amidst Our Time

 4.1. Sadly, there is a Herod in every community and in every stage of history. Today, in our midst, there are Herods creeping around who plot to destroy institutions, communities and families for power, for wealth.

 4.2. The Herods of our time are more vicious and crafty. They have the ability to camouflage their intentions using technological wizardry, emotional gimmickry and intellectual arrogance. They threaten the unity of the Church and Christian families.

4.3. They come in various forms – as a socio-economic condition like poverty; as a moral dilemma like corruption; as greedy businessmen like illegal recruiters, drug dealers and hueteng lords; as unprincipled professionals who have distorted views of their profession; as manufacturers who shortchange consumers with low quality products; as bureaucrats with no sense of public service, only self interest; as lawmakers without respect for the law; as politicians without the slightest moral stamina; as terrorists and extortionists pretending to be freedom fighters; and many other forms.

 4.4. We had our second regular conference council meeting in Kawit, Cavite yesterday. Known for its sweets, I took a side trip to a place in Kawit where they sell some of the best latik and suman. I remember the first time I went there some years back, the road was smooth and first class. Yesterday, I saw that the road is beat up, crater like and ill-maintained. The cement had cracked and the foundation literally sunk. I have seen so many roads in the Philippines that cracked after a typhoon or even after one year of use. I am sure that the hundreds of workers who worked in these roads did their jobs. But there were Herods of our time who profited from building these sub-standard roads.

4.5. The last Nursing exam was tainted because of a few Herods who wanted to make money at the expense of thousands of professionals and the entire nursing profession in the country. The U.S. hospitals threatened to blacklist nurses who took that exam and prevent them from ever working in the U.S. The future of those nurses who were legitimate passers had been mortgaged because of these Herods of our time who broke the rules for money, for wealth, for power.

4.6. A typhoon passed over Samar yesterday. From the news, many parts in that province are without power and water. Just about a week ago, we had another typhoon that devastated Albay particularly the towns around Mayon Volcano. More than 10 UCCP churches were affected. About two months back, Milenyo passed over Metro Manila and inflicted damage to many houses and structures. Many billboards were blown down and scores of trees were uprooted. Good thing, our congress was up on its toes and immediately passed a law banning billboards along the highway. The investigation revealed that many billboards were given permits even if these did not comply with regulations. Many Herods profited by issuing permits for structures that did not comply with regulations.

 4.7. Our congressmen just revised the rules of the game to push charter change and postpone elections. By doing so, they are likely to keep their office for at least another three years and get the reward from whoever is pushing this change. This is being done at the expense of unity and political harmony. I am beginning to think that the address of the Herods of our time is in Batasan.

4.8. I can go on and on and illustrate cases involving the Herods of our time.

 5.         Our Task

 5.1. Our task as families is to overcome the Herods of our time, not by fighting them head on because they are formidable opponents; not through war because they have superior weaponry; not through intellectual battles because they are gifted with a deceitful mind; but by the guiding star that brings Jesus Christ in our hearts and in our homes.

 5.2. That is what this season is all about.  It is a reminder that God is still with us even if there are Herods of our time who mess up our lives.

 5.3. This reminder includes five truths that Matthew wants us to see in this sub plot:[2]

 §  Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews, and should be honored as such.

 §  Jesus is to be worshiped not just by Jews, but by all the nations of the world.

§  God wields the universe to make his Son known and worshiped. This is his great goal in all things - that his Son be known and worshiped.

§  Jesus is troubling to people who do not want to worship him and brings out opposition for those who do.

§  Worshiping Jesus means joyfully ascribing authority and dignity to Christ with sacrificial gifts.