David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 2:2-3

[The Magi asked,] “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

 ³When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Few people today are troubled at the birth 2000 years ago of “the king of the Jews”. Kings come and go. Centers of power change from age to age. Even our nation’s capital was not always located in Washington DC.

But in Herod’s day this was troubling news. The Jews were a troublesome lot; their situation in this corner of the Roman Empire required a compromise. Herod ruled. Pilate governed. But somehow the Jewish religious leaders clung to their power. But if a king of the Jews had been born, this would be troubling: he would upset the balance of power. He would challenge the religious leaders’ power and require an answer from the Romans.

Even more troubling is Herod’s anger, however. He was a ruthless man – powerful, decisive, and not given to diplomacy. He knew that a new king of the Jews would mean trouble. His ultimate solution would be cruel and horrific. But for now Herod was troubled “and all Jerusalem with him.”

Today we have so domesticated Jesus and relegated Him to the religious corner of our hearts that Jesus’ birth or reign has little impact on the centers of power of the modern world. To be sure part of that reason has to do with the religious and Christian heritage of our nation. We celebrate Christmas, even though that celebration is more and more commercialized every year, and we have begun to name it “Winter Holiday” or som such politically-correct moniker. But in every town and city of our nation there are manger scenes, replete with shepherds, sheep and wise men. We know the story.

But the impact of the story today is less about a shake-up in the world order. Centers of power nod casually at the observance of His birth. And we don’t really worry about his reign. Most have made that a get-along-with-everyone kind of lifestyle. And we who breathe in the atmosphere of the Christian faith, have found a way to get along quite well with all other points of view.

The real center of power, however, is not in the halls of politics. It is in the hearts of people where Jesus reigns truly. When God’s people live under Christ in His kingdom and serve Him and their neighbor in His name, and give their ultimate allegiance to Him above all others, then God’s kingdom has its impact.

When we live like that the world takes notice; we actually do have an impact. But finally – whether we acknowledge Him or not, or whether or not the world notices – Jesus has been born, the King of kings. Put your faith in Him and let Him reign in your heart. Jesus is the King of kings. Do you live as though that is true?