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Herod’s Palace · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

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  Speaker 1: Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can't
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  Speaker 1: inherit God's kingdom. Neither does the perishable inherit imperishable. 1
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  Speaker 1: Corinthians 15.50 Dear Lord, your kingdom is eternal, everlasting, and imperishable.
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  Speaker 1: We recognize that we are unable to obtain heaven on
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  Speaker 1: our own. It is only through faith in you, Lord Jesus,
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  Speaker 1: that we can access eternal life. In light of these things,
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  Speaker 1: we pray that you would set our mind on your kingdom.
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  Speaker 1: Since we have inherited eternal life in you, may we
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  Speaker 1: set our minds solely on eternal things. May the kingdom, glory,
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  Speaker 1: and righteous word be ever present in our thoughts. May
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  Speaker 1: your throne rest on the forefront of our minds, guiding
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  Speaker 1: us in all we do. When we stumble, and dwell
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  Speaker 1: on the carnal things of this world. Would you redirect
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  Speaker 1: our thoughts and illuminate our paths? We trust you to
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  Speaker 1: do all these things and more. In Jesus' name, amen.
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  Speaker 2: The shepherds stood and bowed their heads to Mary and Joseph.
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  Speaker 2: They exited the stable, stealing one final glance at the
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  Speaker 2: child before they left. The sun began to rise over
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  Speaker 2: the hills. painting the sky with hues of gold and pink.
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  Speaker 2: Their hearts were filled with an overflowing well of joy.
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  Speaker 2: Their contemplative walk slowly turned into a dance of praise
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  Speaker 2: and worship. Soon enough, the shepherds were shouting through the streets,
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  Speaker 2: their voices raised in worship and faces glowing with a
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  Speaker 2: light that drew curious onlookers. Some shook their heads, thinking
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  Speaker 2: the shepherds were crazy, drunk, or both. But the shepherds,
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  Speaker 2: undeterred by scorn, proclaimed that the Messiah had been born,
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  Speaker 2: and they had been privileged to see him. Word began
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  Speaker 2: to spread like ripples in a pond, the whispers growing
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  Speaker 2: in strength and conviction. The shepherd's testimony, although unlikely, rekindled
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  Speaker 2: hope in a few who heard it. If the Messiah
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  Speaker 2: had truly been born, then hope for Israel was alive.
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  Speaker 2: The testimony reached the ears of some of the servants
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  Speaker 2: of Herod, the land's ruler. Their faces paled, their hearts
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  Speaker 2: pounding with fear and hope. They did not tell Herod
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  Speaker 2: choosing instead to hold silent, their minds filled with dreams
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  Speaker 2: of redemption from the oppression of Rome. Once weighed down
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  Speaker 2: by sorrow and suffering, the land seemed to awaken to
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  Speaker 2: a new possibility. The whispers grew into a chorus of voices,
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  Speaker 2: a community united by faith and longing. In that humble stable,
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  Speaker 2: a child had been born, a king who would change
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  Speaker 2: the world.
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  Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the
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  Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Today, we meet a new character, Herod.
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  Speaker 3: King Herod maintained a continuous vigilance to ward off any
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  Speaker 3: dangers to his throne, with his fears often extending to
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  Speaker 3: those within his own family. He was responsible for the
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  Speaker 3: deaths of numerous relatives, fearing their betrayal. Though Herod sought
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  Speaker 3: to gain the favor of the Jewish population over whom
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  Speaker 3: he ruled, he himself was not a Jew, but an Edomite.
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  Speaker 3: Rome acknowledged him as a subservient king in charge of Judea.
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  Speaker 3: Despite their intense dislike for him, the Jews also respected Herod,
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  Speaker 3: primarily due to his architectural achievements, including the significant enhancements
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  Speaker 3: he made to the second temple. Herod's reign was marked
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  Speaker 3: by brutal and aggressive actions. Immediately upon ascending to the throne,
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  Speaker 3: he eradicated the Sanhedrin. He executed 300 court officials. He
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  Speaker 3: also killed his wife, Maryam, and her mother, Alexandra. He
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  Speaker 3: killed his eldest son, Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander
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  Speaker 3: and Aristobulus. His rule was a chilling era of violence
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  Speaker 3: and fear, reflecting the dark aspects of his own character.
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  Speaker 3: The Magi are about to enter Herod's palace. If you've
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  Speaker 3: read the Gospel of Matthew, you'll know that the news
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  Speaker 3: of Jesus' birth will cause Herod to commit unimaginable cruelties.
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  Speaker 3: Let's dive into the story. Afterward, we'll unpack the themes
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  Speaker 3: of what it truly means to be a king and
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  Speaker 3: how Herod is contrasted with the true king of the Jews, Jesus.
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  Speaker 2: The caravan moved through the desert like a river cutting
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  Speaker 2: through canyons. Caspar, Melchior, and Belshazzar were at the head
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  Speaker 2: of the caravan, guided by the star. They moved from
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  Speaker 2: endless sand dunes to rugged mountains and dense forests. The
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  Speaker 2: path was arduous, and the journey taxed even the most
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  Speaker 2: robust of their company. As they journeyed west, they began
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  Speaker 2: to witness the heavy hand of the Roman Empire. Once
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  Speaker 2: teeming with vibrant and simple life, remote villages lay in ruin,
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  Speaker 2: their inhabitants either subjugated or fleeing from Roman wrath. Caesar
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  Speaker 2: had no need for poor villages that couldn't contribute to
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  Speaker 2: the empire. As the Magi walked through the broken-down villages,
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  Speaker 2: they realized just how heavy the iron grip of Rome was.
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  Speaker 2: Caspar was a man of riches and nobility. Some even
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  Speaker 2: referred to him as Solomon Reborn. BUT AS HE LOOKED
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  Speaker 2: UPON A BEGGING FAMILY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,
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  Speaker 2: HIS HEART BROKE. STOP, CASPER SAID WITH A RASPY VOICE.
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  Speaker 2: HIS CAMEL KNELT DOWN AND HE DISMOUNTED. HE APPROACHED THE
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  Speaker 2: FAMILY WITH A QUIVERING LIP.
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  Speaker 4: IT WILL NOT REPLACE WHAT YOU HAVE LOST, BUT I
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  Speaker 4: HOPE IT BLESSES YOU.
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  Speaker 2: HE HANDED THEM A LEATHER BAG OF EXPENSIVE SPICES TO
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  Speaker 2: SELL AND A CLOTH WRAPPED AROUND A LARGE PIECE OF SILVER.
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  Speaker 2: THE FATHER RECEIVED IT AND HAILED IT FOR A WHILE
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  Speaker 2: IN HIS HAND. Hmm, hope, he said with a jaded
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  Speaker 2: and weathered tone. Hope is a distant memory. Behind Caspar's
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  Speaker 2: long white beard, there was a compassionate smile. He walked
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  Speaker 2: back to his camel and mounted it. Before proceeding, he
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  Speaker 2: glanced back at him and said.
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  Speaker 4: Perhaps hope is closer than you think.
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  Speaker 2: With those words, the caravan continued through the winding Judean countryside.
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  Speaker 2: Nature was alive with new life. The wind carried the
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  Speaker 2: scent of freshly budding wildflowers, and fawns pranced through the
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  Speaker 2: grassy valleys. As they neared Judea, the anticipation grew. They
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  Speaker 2: felt a pole, a magnetic force that guided their every step.
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  Speaker 2: The star had led them to Judea, but the exact
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  Speaker 2: location of the Messiah was still unknown to them.
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  Speaker 4: Tell me, Melchior,' Caspar said,' where would a Judean king
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  Speaker 4: be born?
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  Speaker 2: Melchior pointed to a city glimmering in the distance. Jerusalem,
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  Speaker 2: he said, the city of David and home to the temple.
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  Speaker 2: No doubt the city will be alive with celebration. The
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  Speaker 2: caravan entered the city with pomp. They were hardly inconspicuous,
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  Speaker 2: with their camels adorned with purple and chests of gold
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  Speaker 2: following them on carts. The rest of their caravan waited
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  Speaker 2: outside the city gates to replenish camels and restock on supplies.
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  Speaker 2: But the three wise men pressed forward, seeking out the
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  Speaker 2: palace of Herod, the Tetrarch of Judea. His palace loomed
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  Speaker 2: over the bustling marketplace, imposing and cold, symbolizing power and dominance.
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  Speaker 2: Herod was indeed a master of deceit, cunning as a
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  Speaker 2: desert fox. His mind was a labyrinth of political intrigue
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  Speaker 2: and deception, honed sharp enough to cut through the Gordian
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  Speaker 2: knot of political power that entrapped many rulers. He had
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  Speaker 2: an insatiable thirst for dominance, a desire that drove him
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  Speaker 2: to impose crippling taxes upon the very people he ruled.
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  Speaker 2: Even Caesar Augustus, the master of Rome, He was equipped
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  Speaker 2: that it was safer to be Herod's swine than his offspring,
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  Speaker 2: for Herod was notorious for slaying any of his children
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  Speaker 2: that proved to threaten his power. Word of the Magi's arrival, however,
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  Speaker 2: presented an opportunity for Herod. To him, it was a
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  Speaker 2: chance to acquire more favor from rich men. He ordered
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  Speaker 2: his servants to prepare a feast worthy of emperors. He
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  Speaker 2: laid a bounty of food at the table and surrounded
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  Speaker 2: them with music, wine, and dances. To the Magi, men
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  Speaker 2: of refinement and culture, such a reception was not uncommon. However,
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  Speaker 2: something was disquieting about the feast. Belshazzar, in particular, had
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  Speaker 2: his guard up. Herod entered the great halls and stretched
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  Speaker 2: out his arm.
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  Speaker 4: My lords, to what do I owe this pleasure?
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  Speaker 2: Herod asked, his voice dripping with feigned graciousness.
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  Speaker 4: We seek the newborn king of the Jews.
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  Speaker 2: They replied with a bow, The Messiah's star has guided
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  Speaker 2: us here, and we intend to honor him with our
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  Speaker 2: tributes and adoration. A shiver ran down Herod's spine at
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  Speaker 2: their words. Rumors had reached his ears, whispers of a
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  Speaker 2: child born to be king. But Herod was king, and
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  Speaker 2: no infant would unravel what he had spent decades making.
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  Speaker 2: Concealing his inner disgust, he took a measured sip of wine. Ah, yes,
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  Speaker 2: he said with a false grin. I have heard rumors
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  Speaker 2: of such a child being born. My servants think I
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  Speaker 2: do not hear their whispers in the halls. But such
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  Speaker 2: news is worth celebrating, is it not? Herod's servants stepped
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  Speaker 2: back in fear. The proclamations of the shepherds had reached
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  Speaker 2: some of them, but they had purposely hidden it from Herod.
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  Speaker 2: Belshazzar steadied Herod carefully.
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  Speaker 4: Do you know where he is?
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  Speaker 2: Although I have heard rumor no news has reached my throne.
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  Speaker 2: But if it is the prophesied Messiah you are looking for,
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  Speaker 2: the priests and scribes may be able to be of
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  Speaker 2: some aid. Herod summoned some of the temple priests and scribes.
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  Speaker 2: They too were disturbed to hear the news. Tell us, priests,
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  Speaker 2: Herod said, where is the prophesied child to be found?
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  Speaker 2: The priests spoke among themselves for a moment, then replied.
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  Speaker 5: Bethlehem, my lord, the birthplace of David, for the prophecies
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  Speaker 5: declare thus. And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
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  Speaker 5: are by no means least among the rulers of Judah.
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  Speaker 5: For from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd
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  Speaker 5: my people Israel.
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  Speaker 2: Herod's smile was a serpent's grin as he raised his
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  Speaker 2: glass to the wise men. Then perhaps the rumors hold true,
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  Speaker 2: my lords. A new king may indeed grace our land.
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  Speaker 2: Glory to God. But his eyes were stormy seas, churning
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  Speaker 2: with rage and fear. Should you find the child, do
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  Speaker 2: return and tell me, so that I too may pay
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  Speaker 2: my respects. The magi thanked Herod and departed. Herod watched
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  Speaker 2: them leave, his smile changing into a snarl as the
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  Speaker 2: door closed behind them. Messiah or not, he hissed in
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  Speaker 2: a venomous whisper. No one will dethrone me. His eyes
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  Speaker 2: blazed with malevolence that recalled the cruelty of Pharaoh long ago.
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  Speaker 2: With a cry of fury, he hurled his cup against
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  Speaker 2: the wall and summoned his guards. Slay every boy under two!
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  Speaker 2: Show no mercy to those who defy me! He slumped
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  Speaker 2: back into his throne, his thoughts a whirlwind of paranoia.
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  Speaker 4: An infant shall not undo me.
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  Speaker 2: He vowed the words a dark oath. The palace seemed
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  Speaker 2: to shudder at his command. a foreboding silence descending as
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  Speaker 2: Herod's madness spiraled further into the darkness, a void of
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  Speaker 2: which there could be no return.
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  Speaker 3: This story, inspired by Matthew chapter 2, is a tale
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  Speaker 3: that paints a picture of the bleak circumstances into which
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  Speaker 3: Jesus was born. The boot of Rome was heavy on Israel,
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  Speaker 3: and those who weren't contributing to the empire were cast
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  Speaker 3: aside and forgotten. the appearance of the wise men from
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  Speaker 3: the East heralded a fresh sense of hope that transcended
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  Speaker 3: the earthly suffering seen in the poverty-stricken villages. The sight
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  Speaker 3: of Caspar's compassion for the broken family by the roadside
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  Speaker 3: provides a vivid example of this newfound hope, illustrating how
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  Speaker 3: the birth of Jesus inspires us to reach out to
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  Speaker 3: those in need. Indeed, Jesus' coming is a sign that
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  Speaker 3: hope is closer than it seems. In our lives, We
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  Speaker 3: may face hopeless situations, yet the story of Jesus' birth
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  Speaker 3: reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, hope is
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  Speaker 3: alive and can be found in him. The story of
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  Speaker 3: the Magi paints a grim picture of the Roman Empire's
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  Speaker 3: cruel dominion. Villages lay in ruin, and the impoverished were
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  Speaker 3: subjected to the empire's iron grip. But in this devastation,
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  Speaker 3: the Magi were led by a star to the place
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  Speaker 3: where the true king was born. The kingdom of God
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  Speaker 3: is unlike any earthly kingdom. While Caesar's rule brought destruction
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  Speaker 3: and subjugation, Jesus' kingdom brought restoration, peace, and justice. The
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  Speaker 3: birth of Christ inaugurated a new era where the marginalized
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  Speaker 3: and oppressed could find refuge and dignity. The kingdom of
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  Speaker 3: God is not built on power and domination, but on love, mercy,
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  Speaker 3: and grace. Herod is a personification of the greed, corruption,
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  Speaker 3: and evil Israel was oppressed by during that time. Under
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  Speaker 3: that politician's smile was a man consumed with bitterness and jealousy.
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  Speaker 3: Herod's response to the birth of Jesus reveals the depths
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  Speaker 3: to which jealousy and fear can drive a person. Though
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  Speaker 3: he initially feigned interest in worshiping the newborn king, his
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  Speaker 3: true intentions were soon laid bare. driven by a relentless
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  Speaker 3: desire to protect his own power. He issued a horrifying
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  Speaker 3: command to slay every boy under two in Bethlehem. This
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  Speaker 3: sobering account reminds us of the destructive nature of jealousy.
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  Speaker 3: Like Herod, jealousy can blind us to reason and lead
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  Speaker 3: us to unspeakable cruelty. It's a stark warning to guard
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  Speaker 3: our hearts against envy and to seek contentment in what
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  Speaker 3: God has given to us. Herod's rule was marked by
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  Speaker 3: betrayal and violence, founded on fear and oppression. But the
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  Speaker 3: birth of Jesus heralded a new kind of king who
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  Speaker 3: rules with love, compassion, and righteousness. Unlike Herod, whose rule
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  Speaker 3: was threatened by a mere infant, Jesus' kingship is unshakable.
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  Speaker 3: In our present age, it's tempting to put our trust
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  Speaker 3: in political leaders or ideologies, hoping they will bring about
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  Speaker 3: the change we desire. But the story of Herod reminds
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  Speaker 3: us that earthly rulers are fallible and often driven by self-interest. Jesus,
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  Speaker 3: on the other hand, is a king who reigns with
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  Speaker 3: perfect justice and love. In him alone we find solid
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  Speaker 3: and eternal hope. Above all, this passage underscores the incomparable
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  Speaker 3: kingship of Jesus. In a world fraught with uncertainty, he
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  Speaker 3: remains the unchanging and faithful star to follow. May this
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  Speaker 3: Christmas season rekindle in us a fresh sense of wonder
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  Speaker 3: at the birth of our Savior and renew our commitment
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  Speaker 3: to live as citizens of His kingdom. Join us for
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  Speaker 3: our next episode. The Magi will finally behold the King
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  Speaker 3: they've been waiting for. The gifts they give will provide
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  Speaker 3: us with deep theological insight into the nature of Jesus.
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  Speaker 3: Thanks for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
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  Speaker 3: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Pray.com
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  Speaker 3: you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love.
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  Speaker 3: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in
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  Speaker 3: someone's life. And if you want more resources on how
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  Speaker 3: to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be
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  Speaker 3: sure to visit jagraham.org. God bless you.