It’s Friday…And Yes, It was Worth It

It’s Christmastime. Throughout this festive season there is a part of the Nativity Story that elicits a response of sorrow rather than joy. The response comes in a form of a question similar to these: “Why did our Sovereign, Omniscient God allow the tragic events surrounding Jesus’ birth? Why did He allow the slaughter of Bethlehem’s sons to take place?” This event is particularly disturbing, isn’t it? The King of kings had entered this world, and a jealous, local ruler had caught wind of it when the Magi showed up in Jerusalem with a desire to worship the new King. Herod’s prophecy expert pointed to Bethlehem.

“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious.”  (Matthew 2:16)

The scheme to eliminate his “competition” failed when God warned the Magi not to cooperate. In his rage, Herod slaughtered a whole town of toddlers and newborns. All of Bethlehem wailed.

Jesus “flew in” under satan’s radar. God’s enemy missed his chance to kill the dreaded “seed” prophesied way back in Genesis 3:15. His rage flared, and the sound of “Rachel weeping for her children” (Matthew 2:18) filled Bethlehem’s skies. And if we think about it, we want to ask one simple question: Why?

Why did God allow Herod to be tipped off to Messiah’s birth? Why did the Magi enter Jerusalem with such little discretion about their purpose? God spent so much of the New Testament’s first chapters warning people of their dreams. Why didn’t He warn the wise men to avoid Herod in the first place? Or even to stay home? Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh cost painfully more than their asking price. Why did Rachel’s babies have to lie dead in the streets?

Here’s a warning, you may not like this answer – it was because of worship, at least in part. For reasons we now know, it was important for representatives of the nations to visit the King and bow down before Him. It meant a lot then, and it means a lot today. It tells us that Jesus is more than a Jewish Messiah; He is The Savior of all who come to Him, even from far reaches of this world. And understand this, even Herod’s rage – and satan’s – has become a witness to Jesus’ identity. Today we believe in an ancient Middle Eastern Messiah because of such testimonies. They have given us life. And Rachel’s children now know: Their lives were lost so that the worship of The Child might happen – then and even now, and those children who brutally lost their lives are worshiping Him, too, in heaven. Yes, it cost a lot. And Yes, It Was Worth It.

Have a worship-filled weekend. Make it better by honoring The LORD with those who although they know the story of Herod’s insanity, know the story of God’s wisdom much more intimately and clearly.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)