“Hark! The herald angels sing ‘glory to the newborn King;’ Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.'” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The reason that Herod sent his henchmen to kill all male children, two years-old and younger, was because he’d heard that a King had been born. Just as Moses was spared this unlawful and immoral rule, our Lord’s parents resisted the civil magistrate’s sinful order through evasion. Herod’s rule was “real” in that he was in charge. But it was illegitimate in that he exercised his authority not according to the principles of Scripture but to further his own power. Thus it is with all who exercise authority in any name but Jesus Christ.
Herod, like all earthly powers, sees the Kingship of Christ as a threat. As Christians approach our celebration of the birth of our Savior we do well to think on this. Do we live in such a way that reflects our understanding that we serve the true King? Do we see Jesus as a sort of cosmic Santa Claus, a domesticated deity that’s relegated to certain spheres of life rather than the Lion of Judah? Do we serve a King or a feeble salesman who’s running for heavenly office?
You see, we’re present at America, but we’re in Christ. He’s the King, not the president. We follow the laws of the land as a foreign ambassador would. Our Herod should fear the King we serve. If he doesn’t, that’s a good indication that we aren’t clear on exactly Whom we worship. Jesus isn’t the king of nice. He’s King and Sovereign ruler over the Kingdom of righteousness. Herod’s order to kill Him was logical insofar as it was the principle of sin – man’s attempt to overrule and exterminate Him. The story of Christmas is the story of God’s revolution in our hearts! He came so that we might be delivered from sin. As Moses led slaves from the bondage of Egypt, Christ leads us from the bondage to death. As Pharaoh’s army perished in the sea, chasing His people, so that battle continues to this day. If we aren’t being harassed by the forces of Pharaoh, we’re with Pharaoh. So, indeed, count it as all joy when you are persecuted.
The newborn King came to overthrow the City of Man and the Kingdom of Satan. He overpowered them with righteousness and gave us the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). We’re now soldiers in His army and our weapon against the demonic powers is His word. Herod, like Pharaoh, used murder to advance his power; Christ used the power of righteousness. Our service of the true King is the great revolution. In this present day the battle intensifies before our eyes. We are biblically justified to “resist” unbiblical orders to worship the Beast by fleeing to Bethlehem when Herod acts on his principle of tyranny. We’re biblically justified to resist this world’s mad attempt to reorder moral law and call sin righteous and righteousness sin. We are His, not Herod’s. We are ambassadors of Christ living in a hostile land, sent forth with the message of reconciliation from the King.
Thus, when we sing “Glory to the newborn King” we’re singing revolution. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that revolution. Living for Him in faith is the power that overcomes the Kingdom of Darkness, not the sword. “Peace on earth” through Christ alone is our banner. We must give no quarter in this…we must take all “thoughts captive” and call all to the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5). We are sent out into the world to declare the risen King. If we’re in a police car of the Lord, written on the door is “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
This is what it means to be “more than conquerers (Romans 8:37).” We rightly honor those soldiers who fell in battle so that others may live. We rightly honor the police officer that gave all in the line of duty. But those are types and shadows, beloved! What greater honor awaits you who gives his/her life to the true King, not trading the glory of the Kingdom for the trinkets of the world! Trouble will come, but rejoice…our King has overcome the world (John 16:33). Live for Him now and make no provision for the flesh nor alliance with sin, for He is the King.
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