A Tale Of Two Kings

Title: “A Tale of Two Kings” Script: Mt. 2:1-12

Type: Christmas Where: GNBC 12-15-24

Intro: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is one of a handful of perennial favorites to watch during the holiday season. We all have our favorite parts in the show, I know mine is when Max, the Grinch’s dog is, with one antler tied to his forehead, struggling to pull the toy-laden sleigh up the mountainside! Why is “The Grinch” so appealing during a season that so many pleasant movies to watch? Possibly it’s because, in the vein of A Christmas Carol by Dickens, The Grinch…prominently displays the power of conversion that comes through the Christmas story. Also, I suspect that at least partial in its appeal is that there is a little bit of “The Grinch” in each one of us! There was a “Grinch” in the 1st Christmas story. He was a king. In fact, there were 2 kings in the first Christmas story.

Prop: Follow in Mt. 2 as we read the tale of two Kings centered around Christmas.

BG: 1. The original “Grinch” who tried to not simply steal, but kill Christmas, was King Herod.

2. The paths of these two men, Herod, and the Christ Child, Jesus, would converge in a tale of Two Kings. The one king epitomizes the worst humanity has to offer. The other, the best that God has to offer. We see a conflict between two kings, two worlds, two systems. 3. Today still have a choice. Which “king” will you follow?

Prop: Follow in Mt. 2 as see conflict between two Kings: One Who brought Christmas and the one who attempted to kill Christmas.

I. Let’s Take a Look at this Man Who Tried to Kill Christmas.

Long before the Grinch and Scrooge there was Herod!

A. King Herod was the man who attempted to kill Christmas.

1. The original Christmas Highlighted the Conflict between Kingdoms.

a. Illus: I want to remind us this morning that there was a conflict between the birth of the Savior and a man who hated Christmas even more than Scrooge and the Grinch combined. In fact, he attempted to kill Christmas. It’s a strange and bizarre story that doesn’t fit in so nicely amid the well wishes, carol and cards, tinsel and trees, and bright lights which mark the season.

b. v. 1 we notice the conflict is coming as the announcement of Jesus’ birth is directly tied to the reign of King Herod. Sometimes we almost forget that the coming of Christ, the birth of the Babe in the manger was a real and historical event that took place in space and time and was tied directly to the political events of the day. Herod was no “make believe” character. He was real. He was powerful. He was dangerous. He was paranoid. He was angry. He hated Christmas and he had never even heard of the Holiday!

2. Herod “The Great”, was born into a politically well-connected family. At an early age it became evident to all that he was destined for a life of hardball power politics that make our politicians look like choir boys. At 25 yrs. of age he was made governor of Galilee, a position of power for one so young. The Romans were hoping he would control the Jews of that region, and in 40 BC, the Roman Senate named him “King of the Jews”. It was a title hated by the religious Jews since Herod was neither religious or Jewish. He was an Edomite and was hated by the Pharisees and Zealots.

B. Herod Had all the Classic Characteristics of a 1st Class Villain!

1. Herod had a Preoccupation with Power.

a. According to Machiavelli, (The Prince) the #1 goal of politics is to secure power. Some have described power as the ultimate human obsession. If that is the case, Herod was an addict. The Bible, more often than not, links “power” to something we call sin.

b. Herod’s use of power could be summed up in 3 words: he was capable, cunning, and cruel. Herod was undoubtedly capable. After becoming king he wiped out bands of guerrillas who were terrorizing the countryside. He also used subtle diplomacy to make peace amongst warring factions. Herod was also crafty. He arranged all of his relationships as conduits of power. His cunning knew no limits. As a result of his morbid distrust of anyone who might aspire to take his throne he was by nature and practice a cruel man. Over the years he killed many, including his brother-in-law, mother-in-law, 2 sons, and even a wife! He murdered out of spite and killed in order to keep his power. . A writer dubbed him the malevolent maniac! His cruelty grew in direct proportion to the power he possessed.