Nougat 19

I believe God’s Grace is the opposite of God’s Wrath. It manifests in the strangest of places; prisons, public spaces and even palaces. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him …

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:3, 13‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

One might wonder, since God warned Joseph to seek refuge in Egypt after the fact, why the magi stopped by Herod’s palace in the first place. And more so, why Herod would have been afraid. Perhaps an even more valid question is – ‘Who was Herod?’ It is worth noting that Herod was in power over his Jewish people at the time of Jesus’ birth. Without a doubt, he was a true despot. His ascension to power (under Roman rule) was questionable; and having come into power, his reign was coloured with evil. Having risen to power under somewhat underhand ways; if he felt threatened, he had zero qualms about execution. Just ask 2 of his 10 wives, 1 mother in law, and 3 of his own sons!

We might be aware that Babylon is often used as a metaphor for those who consistently oppress others. Babylon also refers to the force of the anti-Christ mentioned by name in Revelation; and was the current world ruler in the time of Daniel. Thus, despite Herod being ’king’ or tetrarch over Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth; it isn’t hard for me to see Herod as part of the Babylonian, anti-Christ machinery.

You see, what is immediately visible to us doesn’t always give a clear sense of what our Creator, the Lover of our souls, our God is about. For one might argue that Herod was better off unaware of Jesus’ existence. And that holds, somewhat. But, I see the magi’s ‘enforced’ stop at Herod’s palace as God serving notice on Herod. Telling him that his earthly reign might have been materially successful; but spiritually – his reign was ended. And I can hear the words of the ‘Rastaman Chant’ echoing in Herod’s mind;

, ’Babylon yuh throne gone dung’, conveying to him a stark reminder that principalities and powers and rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high (and low) places were always (and continue to be) enemies of the Most High God.

It was also, an opportunity for Herod to choose God’s way. A quick visit to Nineveh back in the days of Jonah assured us that even those who oppose God are offered opportunities for repentance and transformation. It is a matter of choice, our choice. Like the Ninevites, some of us do make the right decision; just like Saul-Paul and the condemned man at Calvary. And others of us, like Herod, see God’s notice as a red flag and opt to take matters into our own hands.

This inclusion of the warning and Herod’s fearful reaction has yet another in Jesus’ birth narrative has another purpose for me also. It is a reminder that while none of us is too great to face God’s Wrath for our wrongs by God; none of us is too far removed to be included in God’s grace should we opt to receive it. Clear warning sent; clear opportunity for grace.

Wherever we are in life; let’s remember: God sees the Herods; God warns the Herods; God gives Herods opportunities for repentance. The next move depends on the Herods. Grace or Wrath, the choice is clear. Herod must respond to God’s warning. Let’s opt for Grace and forego God’s Wrath.

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May all we seek be found in Christ