December 18, 2022
• Rev. Rob Fuquay
Scripture Reading from message:
When we read the New Testament you come across the name Herod a number of times. It can get rather confusing, and no wonder. There are actually four generations of Herods mentioned. It was quite a large and busy and not always pleasant family. So this morning, let us hear the record of the Herods…
It all started in Matthew 2 where it says, “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem.”(Matthew 2:1) They were seeking the Christ-child and Herod feigned a desire to do the same but he had other motives, as was revealed by an angel that told Joseph, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for King Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2: 12)
Later, King Herod’s son, (Herod Antipas) had John (the Baptist) arrested, put in prison, and executed.”
It was this same Herod who when he saw Jesus, “was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, but Jesus gave him no answer so Herod treated him with contempt and mocked him.” (Luke 23:8-11)
Then, the Book of Acts tells how Herod the Great’s grandson, “(King Herod Agrippa I) laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.” (Acts 12:1)
And how on another occasion he “put on his royal robes and delivered a public address. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a mortal!” And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down.” (Acts 12: 21-23)
And finally, there is mention at the end of the book how his son, “(King Herod Agrippa II) entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city and Paul was brought in. After Paul’s defense Agrippa said to him, “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” And the king got up.” (Acts 25:23)
What do you think it would be like to bring that family together? Why don’t we just imagine that for a few moments this morning. In fact, let’s imagine we are all a bunch of Herods. What do you think God would want to say to us?