Herod vs. Jesus – The Battle of Kings

Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation, and as we explore the Advent Sermon Series, King of the Jews, we begin by looking at two very different kings: Herod and Jesus. Both bore the title “King of the Jews,” but their paths to kingship and the kingdoms they represent couldn’t be more different.

Herod the Great rose to power through political alliances, ambition, and sheer force. Supported by Rome, he secured his position as “King of the Jews” but constantly lived in fear of losing it. So threatened was he by the prophecies of a Messiah that he attempted to wipe out the Davidic line, bringing death and chaos.

Herod’s legacy is one of lavish building projects like the Herodium, a fortress that literally moved mountains, but his kingship was marked by paranoia, violence, and self-glorification.

In contrast, Jesus’ kingship was rooted in humility and God’s promises. Prophesied in Isaiah 11:1 as a “branch from the stump of Jesse,” Jesus came from a lineage that remained intact despite Herod’s attempts. His life began not in a palace but in a humble manger, and His reign was not defined by force but by sacrificial love and grace.

Matthew 1 paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ lineage—a messy family line full of imperfect people. Yet, this was the line God chose to fulfill His promises. Jesus’ kingship wasn’t established by Rome or ambition but by God’s eternal plan of redemption.

Herod’s story and Jesus’ story offer us a choice about how we live our lives and where we place our hope. Like Herod, we can chase ambition, power, and control, but these pursuits often leave us anxious, insecure, and unfulfilled. Or, we can follow Jesus, the King of Promise, and find rest in His grace, even amidst life’s messiness.

This Advent, take a moment to reflect:

• Are you striving to build your own “kingdom” through ambition or control?

• How can you let go of fear and trust in God’s promises, just as Jesus humbly trusted His Father’s plan?

Jesus invites us into a kingdom not built on force or fear but on love, humility, and eternal hope. As we prepare for Christmas, ask God to reveal the areas of your life where you can let go of Herod-like ambitions and embrace the peace and security of Jesus’ reign.