Some time after the birth of Jesus the Magi came looking for the one who was born, “King of the Jews.” They follow the sign in the heavens and naturally assume the king would be born in the palace at Jerusalem.But no child has been born in the royal palace, and even if one had he would not be king, for Herod was very much the King of the Jews any child being born in his palace would be a prince and not a king.
We dare not miss the significance in Matthew’s stating that the child, Jesus, has been born King of the Jews. From the moment of his birth Jesus has usurped the political power of Herod. A rival kingdom has been established.
Throughout the centuries many earthly powers have tried to destroy this kingdom of God. Herod tried to have Jesus killed, he said death squads into Bethlehem to neutralize this threat. Herod seemed to know he was dealing with something big. The Romans and the Jewish leaders eventually succeeded in having Jesus killed, of course he didn't stay in the grave. At his trial Jesus stated that he represented another kingdom admitting this freely to Pontius Pilate when he states that his kingdom is not of this world. Another kingdom, a threat to Roman sovereignty, was something that could not be tolerated.
Throughout history those who have struggled to represent the kingdom of God and proclaim the rule of Christ have been persecuted by the kingdoms of this world.Those kingdoms that didn’t go for out and out persecution have often tried to force a subtle compromise on people, with slogans like “for God and country.” Asking for, even demanding, a divided allegiance. Time and again in history supposedly Christian people have gone to war against one another becuase their allegiance to country topped allegiance the Christ's kingdom. Think of the European wars of the Middle Ages, or the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Spanish American Wars, Boer Wars in South Africa, or WWI. All wars in which troops on both sides claimed to be Christian and had chaplains with them.
In Jesus a new king has been born. There is nothing sentimental about the threat Jesus poses to every king, queen, dictator, or democratically elected government.
Matthew’s gospel begins with the Royal lineage of Jesus and the declaration of the Royal birth. It ends with the Great Commission, stating that, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
The birth of Jesus upsets the political apple-cart.
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