Xanthe Hancox

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18

I’ve always found the murder of all the boys under the age of two one of the most disturbing accounts in the Bible. What kind of a king orders a massacre of innocents?

There’s enough historical evidence of Herod’s character for us to know that this is exactly the sort of ruler he was. He had a brother-in-law, three of his sons and one of his wives killed because he thought they were plotting against him. It’s rumoured that Caesar Augustus went so far as to say, "Better to be Herod's pig than his son".

As awful as it is, Matthew tells us this story to remind us that it is impossible to avoid the spiritual conflict raging around us. It shows us that there are many who shall suffer at the hands of the devil in his war against God, and also reminds us that God never promises to spare us from the wrath of the devil in this world. In fact, Paul says that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12).

So does God leave us to fend for ourselves? Not at all. God is not silent or busy or uncaring. God’s peace is provided through Jesus Christ to help us endure the chaos of our present world. God’s peace is not the absence of conflict but the answer for conflict. Remember Jesus’ words when he said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us a peace that surpasses all understanding, and allows us to endure a world that often seems out of control. Remind us that there is nothing in this world that you have not already overcome. Amen.