December 20, 2024

Herod

let’s be absolutely clear on this

Herod, that diabolical old man

did not fear a threat to his throne

he had long ago destroyed any threat

his own wife, his own sons

other men’s wives and their sons

this remorseless old man killed them all

he did not fear the new-born babe

had no fear of impending threat

swords have a way of fixing these things

Herod was diabolical, evil

faithful served his horrid lord

Herod did not fear a babe

did not fear a baby’s threat

Magi did not enter Jerusalem

following their miraculous star

seeking the King of the Jews

looking for a mere human babe

Herod would not be set on edge

at the birth of a merely human boy

Herod had swords to deal with that

don’t be deceived

(like old Herod was)

Herod did not want to kill a baby boy

Herod wanted to kill the Incarnate Son

he knew!

the Magi had told him

the priests had shown him

the babe was not merely boy, but Messiah

Whom Herod, that old deceiver

told the Magi he wished to worship

“worship”

that’s the very word that Matthew wrote

Herod wouldn’t bring a gift for a boy

he’d rather swing a sword at a Saviour

make no mistake

Herod wanted nothing less

than to do away with God