Image: He, Qi. Adoration of the Magi,
from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
January 3, 2016
The Wise Men
(“Magi”) cross one more kingdom in their long journey.
Courteous, they visit the monarch of that kingdom, not knowing he was the infamous Herod.
Every amenity took place: formal welcome, diplomatic over-do, huge meals, fine drinks.
These excesses must happen, even in a commonplace kingdom.
Courteous, they visit the monarch of that kingdom, not knowing he was the infamous Herod.
Every amenity took place: formal welcome, diplomatic over-do, huge meals, fine drinks.
These excesses must happen, even in a commonplace kingdom.
Finally,
when the moment arrives, the Magi pose their question. “Where is the newborn
king of the Jews?
We have read the signs and know of his birth.”
They trust Herod for the truth, since, obviously, this infant will be the next in line after Herod.
We have read the signs and know of his birth.”
They trust Herod for the truth, since, obviously, this infant will be the next in line after Herod.
This seems
like a sincere question, but it strikes terror into Herod’s heart.
He does what psychologists call a “reaction formation” maintaining diplomatic balance, smilingly temporizing with a promise to find the answer, and skillfully ending the meeting for that night.
He does what psychologists call a “reaction formation” maintaining diplomatic balance, smilingly temporizing with a promise to find the answer, and skillfully ending the meeting for that night.
But, in his
heart, Newborn King? No, no, no! I am the king!
My descent is the answer to this menace. Herod is quietly shouting, do something!
My descent is the answer to this menace. Herod is quietly shouting, do something!
Do
something.
Go to the chief priests and scribes!
He gathers them and charms them with his version of a “honest” question, an idle interest.
Do you experts, busy studying day and night, do you know anything about the predicted Messiah figure we used to hope for?
If he were to be born today, I wonder where that would be?
Go to the chief priests and scribes!
He gathers them and charms them with his version of a “honest” question, an idle interest.
Do you experts, busy studying day and night, do you know anything about the predicted Messiah figure we used to hope for?
If he were to be born today, I wonder where that would be?
In Bethlehem
of Judea, they respond, where the great King David was born.
Herod knew these experts knew the scriptures, as he did not.
The Messiah would be David’s successor, shepherd of the people Israel, fulfiller of everything the Jewish people had awaited for centuries.
Herod knew these experts knew the scriptures, as he did not.
The Messiah would be David’s successor, shepherd of the people Israel, fulfiller of everything the Jewish people had awaited for centuries.
The Herodian
head swirled.
At last he formed a plan.
Kill him.
Herod will disclose the location, Bethlehem, to these Magi, who would go and search out the baby for him.
He stole across the halls and utters the words, “Bethlehem is the place!
The child is in Bethlehem!
Just go find him.
Oh, and of course, let me know where he is. Why? So that I too may do him homage.”
At last he formed a plan.
Kill him.
Herod will disclose the location, Bethlehem, to these Magi, who would go and search out the baby for him.
He stole across the halls and utters the words, “Bethlehem is the place!
The child is in Bethlehem!
Just go find him.
Oh, and of course, let me know where he is. Why? So that I too may do him homage.”
Death is the
homage Herod has in mind.
His lust for power simply must banish the power of love in order to stay in control.
He is quite willing to compete directly, even with God and Christ.
He is accepting in advance the deal Satan will offer to Jesus in the desert thirty years later: “You can control the whole world, if you will only fall down and worship me. Help me defeat God.”
His lust for power simply must banish the power of love in order to stay in control.
He is quite willing to compete directly, even with God and Christ.
He is accepting in advance the deal Satan will offer to Jesus in the desert thirty years later: “You can control the whole world, if you will only fall down and worship me. Help me defeat God.”
Satan was a
power-monger too.
But for
Jesus, strange to say, “power” was not at all the same thing Herod and Satan
were grabbing for.
They wanted to become bigger and bigger, to out-stretch infinity.
The goal of the Messiah was to become less and less, to become transparent, like love is.
Heavy selfish greed cannot demolish this heavenly plan, but it surely can seem to. To Herod it certainly must have.
They wanted to become bigger and bigger, to out-stretch infinity.
The goal of the Messiah was to become less and less, to become transparent, like love is.
Heavy selfish greed cannot demolish this heavenly plan, but it surely can seem to. To Herod it certainly must have.
But the
child’s weakness shows what God has in mind, the answer to evil. Tender, unfearing
openness to love.
In our
sinfulness, we refuse such a plan. Mary, Joseph and Jesus will never win out,
will they?
Evil will triumph in the end, won’t it?
The cross will do what Herod could not do, but that Satan could.
Evil will triumph in the end, won’t it?
The cross will do what Herod could not do, but that Satan could.
Or will it?
Do you have
the courage to bet on love?
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