Matthew 2:2-3 English Standard Version
2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
We heard the events that followed in that Herod ordered the murder of every male child in Bethlehem and the surrounding region that were two years old and younger. His actions fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy and Herod’s attempt to change history failed.
When reading these passages to we understand why all of Jerusalem would have been troubled? It is written in God’s Word and given its proximity to Herod’s hearing about the birth of Christ, it might be important. We can only suspect what troubled them about the coming Christ. So often in these passages we can only place ourselves in their place and search out our own understanding and ask ourselves what troubles us.
Israel had been waiting 490 years for their salvation. They were conquered by Rome and had Herod appointed tetrarch over them. In order to remain in power Herod had to be ruthless and cruel. Crossing Herod was a dangerous thing to do. The people knew Herod was capable of the very thing he did. That might have troubled them. That might be just cause to be troubled.
What if they feared that Herod might be successful in killing the Christ child? That would mean that their 490 year wait had been in vain. They might miss their opportunity for salvation. If they were to be troubled by man’s effort to defeat God’s plan, they would see salvation as controlled by man, not God.
Let us take those thoughts and transport ourselves back to our present time and examine our own present circumstance? Have we heard of Christ and the salvation He has promised? Do we seek Him but see those in authority over us as being in control of our ability to come to Christ? Who or what is keeping us from coming to Christ today?