Jesus Was a Troublemaker
He was a troublemaker from the beginning.
During the Advent season, we anticipate and celebrate the birth of Christ. But we often don’t realize how much of a threat this baby was.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2, NLT)
Take the first line of that passage. King Herod the Great was a puppet king put on the throne by Rome to ensure imperial power in Israel. Herod wasn’t a real king by Jewish standards, his only claim to the throne was through force. He was paranoid, brutal, and ego-centric.
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth begins with the magi from the East asking the fake king: “Where is the real king?” It’s no wonder Herod soon decided to try and kill the infant Jesus.
With the birth of Christ, the old established order gets threatened. It’s true in your life too. As your new life comes clearer into view, expect things around you to become turbulent. New life always shakes up old relationships, jobs, and systems. This is scary but good.
Like the magi who visited Herod, you must pursue the new and not fear the outcome.