---THE SPIRIT OF KING HEROD~~

--"[Herod] sent and slew all
the male children who were in
Bethlehem and all its vicinity,
from two years old and under,
according to the time which
he had determined from the magi."
--(Matthew 2:16)---

--KING HEROD'S response to the birth of Christ illustrates a philosophy that guided his life: "Don't get mad; get even." Herod's father was killed by his political enemies, so one evening, Herod invited his political enemies to dinner. When they arrived, Herod's hit men killed them. Historians tell us that night the king slept well.

Another worldly philosophy Herod lived by was this: "Do unto others before they do unto you." Herod was always looking to stamp out any opposition. When he thought his brother-in-law was plotting against him, he had him killed. Then he had his wife, mother-in-law, and two elder sons killed as well. But perhaps Herod's most monstrous act was when he slaughtered all Hebrew children two years of age and under in order to exterminate the Messiah. "When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi" (Matthew 2:16).

Sometimes we might think the way to be successful is to rule over other people, to get revenge, and to put our desires before other people. Yet, Jesus teaches us to put others first. We must always follow the ways of our Master and Lord Jesus Christ. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Also we recall Jesus washed His disciples feet, giving us a significant lesson in servanthood.~~

--PTV/RJ~