Herod the Great was a vassal king, appointed by Rome, and not a descendent of David. He reigned for over four decades and was a great builder. He was also ruthless - especially when it came to perceived threats to his rule - even up to killing his own sons. Caesar said of him that you would be better off being his sow than his son.
Herod the Great was troubled at the magi's tale because Herod the Great was not the rightful king. Jesus, as a son of David, was a threat to his rule. Herod sought to kill Jesus not because he didn't know who Jesus was; but, because he DID know who Jesus was and all that it implied.
When the Bible says do not love the world, it's not talking about the grateful enjoyment of the beauty and blessings of God, it's talking about the world system that sets itself up in opposition to God. Ultimately, we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that trumps any earthly citizenship.
The Kingdom of Self is the greatest kingdom in conflict with the Kingdom of God. We are not the rightful ruler of our own lives. The world appoints us a vassal ruler of our own life and this is especially true in our individualistic society. The Self and Individual Rights are the idols of American culture.
Adam and Eve were the first make believe king and queen.
C. S. Lewis writes about the need to give up the Rule of Self quite often. We have to realize that we don't reign when our natural tendency is to do everything we can to protect our reign. Ask yourself where in your life are you trying to assert your own rule? Where do we play sovereign? Are we willing to pay the price - the great price - of asserting our own sovereignty? How to we respond to the coming of Christ? Herod the Great did whatever he could to protect his rule. The magi left their place of power and worship.
We enter the Kingdom of Heaven through forgiveness (God forgives us and rescues us). We dwell in the Kingdom through obedience. This does NOT mean we are kicked out if we make a mistake. This does NOT mean we get into the Kingdom through obedience.
In entering we are forgiven of sin, in dwelling we are freed from the power of sin.
When we are make believe rulers, it is really sin that reigns. When we let Christ rule we are set free - ultimately living in the Freedom of Christ - we have a real choice and are more in charge than when we think we are in charge. Romans 6:16 says that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey. But choosing to obey God makes us sons and daughters - not slaves - but this is God's doing, not ours.
Where do you need to submit? The King is right!
Where do you need to trust? The King is good!
Where do you need to repent? The King is merciful!
Where do you need deliverance? The King is strong!
Jesus has overcome the world.
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