Hatred of Christ behind a mask of religion

Scripture: Matthew 2:8, 16-18

Sermon notes 

A murderous hatred of Christ behind a mask of religion

Religion can cloak many abhorrent things. Cp Matt 23:27-28. The annals of human history are filled with the wicked works of men done in the name of religion, even done in the name of God Himself. The world in recent days has been convulsed at the barbarism of Islamic Jihadists in the name of their false God and false religion. Much has been done in the name of every religion that is offensive to God and man.

King Herod sought to conceal his jealous, murderous hatred of Christ, the young King of the Jews, behind a visage of spiritual interest and religious devotion and worship. His wickedness could not be hidden however, and must eventually be seen. His savage massacre of the young children in Bethlehem was the positive proof of his hatred of Christ.

The spirit of Herod is alive and well today—and more common than we might care to think! Even as multitudes engage in another Christmas with its annual profession of an interest in the Saviour, the vast majority harbor Herod’s wicked mentality towards the Saviour and reject outright His claim to be King.

I  HEROD IS PROMPTED TO CONSIDER THE BIRTH OF CHRIST AND ITS IMPLICATIONS.

1. As a Jew he had a general knowledge of the coming Messiah. It is clear from the passage that there is a general awareness of the claims of Christ and the fact that the Scriptures address the matter. His knowledge is clearly limited but there is an immediate recognition of what the wise men are talking about. The hope of the Messiah suffused Jewish life and religion. They had many erroneous ideas about the Messiah but He was a prominent person in the national psyche.
2. He is forced to consider Christ by the witness of these wise men, v2. The details and implications of their words and actions, v1-3, 7 face Herod with certain facts about the Saviour. They are men on a mission—living what they had learned. They have been taught of Christ; and having embraced the reality of His arrival; and have followed the heavenly revelation they had been given; they are determined to worship Him according to His claim over them. They are a challenge to Herod. Every follower of Christ should be such a challenge to ungodly men!
3. The message of Scripture, v4-6. His interest aroused, Herod consults with the religious leaders of the day who immediately cite the words of Micah 5:2. even though the men using the words are themselves wicked men, yet these are the words of God Himself. Again the claim of Christ as King is made.
4. The impact of this witness. There is a troubling of the minds of all who hear. The message of Christ’s birth causes a disturbance! There is agitation; the calm is disturbed. The challenge of Christ’s claim to be king is whether or not men will submit to Him! The disturbance is the consequent struggle between opposing claims for control. The demands of Christ are always resisted by the natural mind. Cp Luke 19:14, Rom 8:7.

II  HIS PROFESSED DESIRE TO WORSHIP THE SAVIOUR.

1. He talks of worship. Talk is cheap and perhaps religious talk is cheapest of all!! It is in conversation with the wise men that Herod first speaks of worshipping Christ. His words are emphatic and plain, v8: that I may come and worship Him also. How pious his words sound to the undiscerning! He might seem to some to be a ‘sincere’ and ‘spiritual’ man.
2. Same interest as theirs. He gives the wise men the impression that he has exactly the same desire as they have. This has long been a tactic of the enemies of Christ. Cp Ezra 4:2. There is nothing to suggest that they were in any way suspicious of this till God taught them as He did, v12. How easy it is for sincere worshippers of Christ to assume that all who speak of worship mean the same as they do! But it is emphatically not so!
3. Deputized. Herod sends the wise men on a mission for him. Here is an early sign that all is not what it seems! This is in fact a common device among those whose words about worship and Christ are disingenuous. He wanted somebody else to do the work! He wanted worship that was made easy for him! He wanted worship that did not involve a personal seeking after the Saviour. Cp Is 55:6-7. Worship by proxy does not work.

III   THE TRUE NATURE OF HIS FEELINGS ABOUT CHRIST APPEAR.

1. First revealed by God, v12-13. The very first indication that Herod was in fact a hater of Christ is revealed by God to the wise men and to Joseph, v12-13. God knows and reveals the state of the human heart. Cp 1Sam 16:7. Those who have a love for Christ and are in communication with God have an insight into the true state of men’s hearts. They have come to see the wickedness of their own heart! It is striking to see, v16, that the wise men were brought to hold Herod’s words in ‘contempt’.
2. The actions that betrayed his base wickedness. Actions always betray the real nature of our heart. What God revealed in his word, v12-13, is seen to be true in Herod’s actions.
3. Anger. His first response is anger, v16 against the wise men. Those sincere worshippers, guided by God to Christ and led on in safety by Him, become the objects of Herod’s anger. Cp Matt 5:21-22.
4. Anger leads to murder. Cp 1John 3:12. Herod’s widespread campaign of murder against the children of Bethlehem showed plainly the hollow nature of his professed desire to worship Christ. Such was his intense jealous hatred of Christ that he destroyed all who resembled him in any way—here in age.
5. Stark alternatives presented. The two attitudes to Christ seen in this passage are the only alternatives there are. Either we sincerely devote ourselves to submit to His claims and follow Him whatever that journey may be like; or we detest Him and desire His death. To a greater or lesser degree, all who reject the Saviour side with those who killed Him. Cp Heb 6:6.