Wicked Leaders are troubled by Christ

Matthew 2:3

March 9th 2025

Last week we looked at the first appearance of the “Wise Men”, who, having seen the star prophesied in Numbers 24:17, traveled from their homeland in the East to come and worship the newly born King. We were reminded about something from the very beginning of this Series, which is the truth that Scripture is real History. The stuff we read between Genesis and Revelation really happened. We looked at a few quotes from a few Roman historians, and even older, in the “Enuma Tablets” of Ancient Babylon, which spoke about the common practice that these Wise Men were engaging in. All through ancient History, recorded for us in the Bible, and outside of the Bible, we see records of emissaries and envoys traveling from the East, to the “Westlands” to form or strengthen Political Alliances or paying homage to their Kings.

These “Wise Men” we learned in Point #2 last week were “Magi”. They were magicians. They were astrologers or sorcerers, and because real History is supernatural, their ability to interact with or understand  the supernatural aspects of the World, elevated them to positions of influence in their kingdom. (This ties into our Main Point this morning). They were the “right hand man” of Kings and Leaders, “seeing” into the supernatural, and interpreting it for their Leader. There is so much more to this world than Matter. We are not simply meat and electricity walking about our lives, but instead, we are supernaturally created creatures, living in a supernatural World. We live in a World of talking Donkeys (Num. 22:21-39), people who can walk on water (Matt. 14:22-33), and the dead coming back to life (Matt. 28; Jn. 11:38-44; Mk. 5:21-43; 2nd Ki. 13:21). Humans interacting with the supernatural (1 Sam. 28; Ex. 7:11-13; Acts 8:9-24) has been a common occurrence through all of recorded History.

We concluded last week’s Sermon with the Main Point that the Incarnation of Jesus Christ was an insurrection against the demonic authorities of this World. The devil and his demons were given authority to stop the progress of the Gospel, holding power over numerous Nations and people groups. Then, however,  God came to Earth, and fulfilled the truth of Isaiah 60:2 & 3 → “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. [3] The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.” When Jesus Christ was born, it led to Him pronouncing judgment against the Ruler of this World, and ultimately casting him out (Jn. 12:31). The demonic powers that once ruled and reigned over the Nations, stopping the truth of God from reaching the people, were broken in Bethlehem of Judea. God is sovereign over evil, and all the demonic powers who wield it against Him.

Point #1 → “Why was Herod the King troubled?”

Our Verse this morning starts with the second time that Matthew called Herod “King.” We read in Verse 1: “...in the days of Herod the king…” and in our Verse today: “When Herod the King heard this…”. As we mentioned last Week, Matthew is giving us a “temporal waypoint” to let his readers know when the events he is describing took place. And again, we have more evidence of The Bible being real History that really happened.

Matthew naming Herod as “King” foreshadows for us the Main Point of our Sermon this morning. But, before we get there, there is “extra-Biblical” (meaning: outside of The Bible) evidence that supports Matthew’s words. The ancient Jewish Historian Josephus, in his work “The Antiquities of The Jews”, refers to Herod as the “King of the Jews”, because he had been appointed by the Roman Senate as the ruler over Judea. The Roman Empire, as they stretched their authority across the ancient World, made a habit of appointing leaders from within the territories they controlled. They conquered a people, then chose one of them to be the ruler. More often than not, it was someone from the ruling Family or Party that was overthrown. In 25bc, after conquering Mauretania (modern day Algeria) Rome appointed Jubal II, the son of the King they overthrew. In 36ad, they conquered and annexed Anatolia (modern day Turkey), and appointed Archelaus, a member of the local royal family. Each of these rulers were known as the King of their Nations. Jubal II was “King of the Mauretanians”. Archelaus was “King of the Anatolians”. And Herod was “King of the Jews”. So when we read that Herod was the King of Judea, some red flags should be popping up in our thoughts.

Now, a number of things can, and will be said (our Main Point) about rulers being troubled by the birth of Christ, but before we get there, there are a few things we can understand about his reign over Judea, that will help us understand why he was troubled at the birth of Christ.

Around 37bc, with a recommendation from his friends Mark Antony (a Roman Politician & General) and Octavian (who would become Cesar Augustus), the Roman Senate appointed Herod the First as “King of the Jews”. He was given this recommendation because of his loyalty to Rome (for selfish & power hungry reasons), and because of his shared ancestry with the Jewish people. On its surface, Herod having a shared ancestry with the Jews this could have given hope to the Israelites as they looked forward to the long-promised King to sit on David’s throne, however, Herod wasn’t “of the seed of David”, which they all knew was a prerequisite for the soon to come King (Jer. 33:17). He was an Edomite, he was a descendent of Esau, not Jacob, meaning he had no right to the Title “King of the Jews”.

He was a pretender to the Throne, with no legitimate claim to the title “King of the Jews”. Romans 9:6-13 says this: “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, [7] nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” [8] That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” [10] And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac [11] (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), [12] it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” [13] As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” ”

The King of the Jews was to be a descendent of David, who was a descendent of Jacob…not of Esau. Herod had no right to the throne, but only gained power because of his sycophantic (he was a brown-noser) relationship with Rome. Let it be said before we move on, that selfish desire can produce effective results…but only until the Bill comes due. Herod wanted to be in charge, and was willing to do any and everything he could to get there, and remain there. 

Herod was troubled by the birth of Christ,

because he knew he was an illegitimate ruler with no right to rule.

For Earthly reasons he had no right to rule, being appointed without the consent of the governed, and for divine reasons he had no right to rule because he was not a descendent of David. Herod was troubled because the birth of Christ was an unavoidable truth that his reign was coming to an end. In fact, he was so troubled by this threat to his power, that in a white-knuckled attempt to remain in power, he killed every male infant in Judea, hoping one of them was the true “King of the Jews”. (Matt. 2:16). When we get to this Verse in our week by Week study we will explore it more, but in the meantime we can see that this practice is one that all God-hating rulers have gone through. When Pharaoh sought to maintain power over the Jews, he killed their children (Ex. 1:15 & 16) Do you see the “typology” between Herod & Pharaoh and Moses & Christ? When the Canaanite leaders sought to appease their gods and gain favor (remember last week’s Sermon!) they sacrificed children (Deut. 18:9-13). In the modern day, the Supreme Court of The United States, in their attempt to be like God, deciding what is right and wrong, have killed far more children than Pharoah or Herod could have ever dreamed of.

Jesus Christ is going to bring white-hot trouble to every leader who endorses abortion.

Before we get to Point #2, there is another aspect of Herod’s reign that will help us see why he was troubled at the birth of Jesus. He was a self-centered, selfish ruler who hated God’s word, doing everything he could to stay in power. To make the people like him, to make Rome like him. Self-righteousness is a powerful motivator. During his reign as king, Herod was known as being a “master builder” because of the numerous architectural projects he started. He built numerous palaces and theaters, creating a well run society for the betterment of everyone, and was even pivotal in restoring the Second Temple. How else could a wicked leader gain the admiration of a population than by increasing the quality of their life, and then using their faith to placate them? With his right hand he restored the temple, and with his left hand he indulged in wickedness.

One of the palaces that Herod built for himself, simply for parties, social events, and leisure and luxury…was in Jericho. Again, do you see the “Typology” in Scripture at work? The rulers of the first place where the people of God entered their land, is the same place where Herod engaged in wickedness, when God Himself entered our land. And just like that city of old, filled with child sacrifice and false worship (Deut. 18:9-12), the bloodthirsty tyrant who engaged in false worship and child sacrifice, was going to fall just as easily. With divine sarcasm, God allowed Herod to build his pervert palace in the exact same place where His children first entered into the Holy Land. Jericho fell, Herod fell, Rome fell, but the Church never will. 

When the kings of Earth set themselves against God and against His anointed…He laughs at them (Ps. 2:1-4). He mocks them, to their faces. God laughs at any ruler, regardless of their wealth, authority, power, or influence, that attempts to subvert His sovereign authority over His World. And should any ruler attempt to break free from His perfect justice and rule, He will speak to them in His wrath. (Ps. 2:5) Woe to the unjust rulers of this World. Herod was troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ, because every wicked ruler is troubled by Jesus Christ.

Every King, every President, every Prime Minister, every Tyrant, every Congressman, every Senator, every Mayor, every ruler…should they love their position and power more than they love God and His laws…is troubled by Jesus Christ. This mentality is so prevalent, that it has even invaded Christianity. You’ll hear well meaning Christians say things like: “We can't use God as the standard for laws in America.” And when I ask them “why?”, they respond with ill thought out reasons, not from Scripture, but from their own hearts and minds. Even our leaders who co-opt our title as Christians, will refuse to legislate based on what God says, but will beat around the bush by placating us by using our terminology with one side of their mouth, then spout humanistic, subjective nonsense out of the other side. 

When our leaders endorse and allow sodomy to masquerade as a real Marriage, they are troubled when a Christian tells them that God says it's wrong. When Donald Trump and JD Vance say that it is a State’s right to allow bad mothers to murder their children in their home State, they are troubled when a Christian tells them that murdering anyone should be illegal for everyone. Wicked leaders are troubled by Jesus Christ, because all of their policies and laws do nothing to distract them from the fate that awaits them if they continue in unrepentance. It is the same fate that was waiting for Herod, which we can read about in Acts 12:21-24 → “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. [22] And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” [23] Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. [24] But the word of God grew and multiplied.”

Yes, I am saying that should the leaders of America not willingly bend their knee to the laws of God, He will kill them in ways that are just as creative and sarcastic, as they are terrifying and painful.

Jericho fell, Herod fell, Rome fell, America will fall, but the word of God will always grow and multiply.

Point #2 → Why was all Jerusalem troubled?

As we read in our Verse this morning, Herod wasn't the only one troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ. It says that all of Jerusalem was troubled with him. Herod’s reputation for being a bloodthirsty and ruthless leader was well known. In fact, he killed his first wife and even his own sons out of fear they were going to betray him. So when the real King was born, one he would have known the prophecies about, the people who lived under him would have been troubled, and rightly so. Especially because their fears were realized when he killed hundreds of their children to try and kill Christ. 

An unpredictable ruler brings trouble to those he rules over.

Yes they were afraid of his temper, and how he would react to this legitimate mutiny, but there is another reason why they were troubled. One far less innocent. One of the reasons why Rome was able to grow and maintain power, is because they allowed, and even encouraged people to practice their own Religion…but with the caveat that Cesar was worshipped as well. “Of course you can continue to worship the Sun, we worship the Sun too! No big deal. Oh, but one other thing, you have to worship Cesar. Yeah, turns out he’s a god. You don't want to? Oh no big deal, we're just going to feed you to the lions while we watch and cheer. Wait…you do want to worship Cesar? Great! Here's a pinch of incense, go burn it on the altar and you're good to go.”

All Jerusalem was troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ,

because they were members of the Roman Imperial Cult

who worshipped Cesar, not Christ.

“Time-Out”:

When it says “ALL Jerusalem was troubled”, we need to compare that with the rest of Scripture. Obviously Joseph and Mary didn't worship Cesar. Neither did John the Baptist or his parents (Zechariah & Elizabeth), or Simeon in Luke 2. So we can understand that the “All” who were troubled, refers to those who preferred their own self-made righteousness, as opposed to a gracious, God-given righteousness, ie- The Pharisees and those who followed them.

Now, it must be said that the Pharisees had a good, though human-based, reason to be opposed to Jesus. If we look at the Old Testament, every time they worshipped a different god, God brought destruction and exile upon them. So by the time Rome comes to power, and Jesus begins making His claims, they would have been thinking something along the lines of: “Wait a minute guys…remember what happened to us the last time we worshipped a different god? Let's just stick with our law-abiding, behavior-based religion. In fact, we should probably kill this guy Jesus, but have the Romans do it so our hands are clean.”  And through their attempts at remaining righteous in and of themselves, we have the Crucifiction of Jesus Christ and the redemption of His children. Praise God for the sins of the Pharisees, He truly does rule and reign over the wicked actions of those who hate Him, using them for His own glory.

“Time In”

The Pharisees and those who followed them, were members of the Roman Imperial Cult, who worshipped Cesar, thinking that their own actions and behaviors could “over power” it; thinking that justification came through works and not by faith. We just read their own words when we looked at Herod’s death, in Acts 12:22 → “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. [22] And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” The ruling Jewish elite, the Pharisees and those who honored them, worshipped Cesar. “We have no King but Cesar” they cried out in John 19:15…because if they did have another King….they would lose their self-made authority. They were the holy ones. They were those who knew the law better than anyone else. They were the righteous, super special people of God, and “loved the praise of men more than the glory of God” (Jn. 12:43).

So when the real King was born, just like He threatened the rule of Herod, He threatened the rule of the Pharisees. Jesus Himself reveals this self-righteousness in Matthew 23:13-15, when He says this: “[13] “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. [14] Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. [15] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” ” Jesus, God in the flesh, the One who has never sinned, called people “sons of Hell”, by revealing that His birth brought trouble on them for their Godless religion.

In fact, the entire Chapter of Matthew 23, is Jesus rebuking them for their wickedness, over and over again. He says this in Verses 3-5 → “whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. [4] For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. [5] But all their works they do to be seen by men.” ”

This Chapter long rebuke culminates with this, in Matt. 23:31-36 → “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [32] Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. [33] Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? [34] Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, [35] that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. [36] Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” ”

And it doesn't stop there. Not only did the Pharisees refuse to heed His warnings while He was going about His Earthly Ministry, they went so far as to double down at His Trial. Matthew 27:15-26 → “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. [16] And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. [17] Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” [18] For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. [19] While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” [20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” [22] Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” [23] Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” [24] When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” [25] And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” [26] Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

Jesus said in Matt. 23:35 that the blood of the Saints would be upon them, and they agreed with Him.

When Religious leaders are wicked, their hands are stained with the blood of God. Every female “pastor” is leading astray every sheep within her pews. Every homosexual Bishop; every abortion approving Church; every adulterous Pastor; all of them are nothing but the cowardly watchmen of Ezekiel 33 with blood on their hands. Woe to any Christian leader whose righteousness is self-made. Woe to the hypocrite Christian. Woe to the false Pastors, fake preachers, and every Church that approves and endorses evil. 

All Jerusalem was troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ,

because every wicked spiritual Leader is troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Main Point (point #3)

This brings us to the Main Point this morning. When we read that Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, we need to understand that those in this World in positions of authority; be it political, spiritual, familial, economic, educational, or any other position; all have a divine moral obligation to point those under their authority to Jesus Christ. Tying in to last week’s Sermon, the Magi of the Ancient World should have been pointing people to the soon-to-be-born King, and nowhere else. 

Every President America has ever had, or ever will have, is obligated to point people to Jesus Christ.

They should be ruling and reigning over us in accordance with God’s law,

not laws based on human thinking and human reasoning.

Every Pastor is obligated to point people to Christ.

He should be standing in his pulpit every Sunday, not using funny stories and quotable anecdotes,

but using God’s words to point people to God.

Every Father and Mother has an obligation given from Heaven, to steer their Children toward God.

Not simply giving lip-service to Christianity, but through tears and strife doing

everything they can to ensure their actions and their words

point the hearts and minds of their Children to Jesus Christ.

Every Business Owner, every School Board, needs to structure their

policies and practices in accordance with what The Bible has to say about Businesses and Education.

“Time Out”:

One of the aspects of being created in the image of God, is that we all interact with one another. We are “social creatures” because we were made by a “social God”. The Father interacts and directs the Son, the Son interacts with and directs the Spirit, and the Spirit interacts and directs the Father. Along with every other combination, and they all agree as one, because They all are One. 

What I’m getting at, is that ALL of us are in positions of influence in our day to day life. Your friends and family and coworkers influence you, and you influence them. It's like this, because, again, this is how God created humanity. Our current Culture, with all of its faults, has done something Godly by “tapping into”  this truth. This is how we have children saying they want to be an “Influencer” when they grow up. Being an Influncer is an amazing and God-glorifying calling…so long as they are influencing people in a Godly way.

“Time In”:

Anyone with any manner of influence over someone else, be they an officially elected or appointed Leader, or a social Leader whose talents and charisma have elevated them above their peers…has a responsibility given to them by God, to direct the thoughts and minds of the people under them, to Jesus Christ and Him alone. 

Herod should have immediately abdicated the throne at the announcement of the Wise Men. He should have left his palace with tears and ashes at the birth of Jesus Christ, but he refused, and was thereby troubled. The Pharisees should have willingly bent their knee to Christ. They should have torn their robes in grief and repentance because of His birth, instead of tearing them out of self righteous offense.

Every wicked leader, of whatever institution they have authority over, should be troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ, because the birth of Jesus Christ was His coming to Earth to claim true and lasting authority.

This is by no means easy! As if saying something true automatically empowers us to live as The Bible says we should live. It is not easy to admit your faults! It is not easy to admit when you have been power hungry to the degree of doing harm to those under you. In fact, it might just be the hardest thing you ever have to do. It's hard for a Father or Mother to admit they have been wrong. It's hard for a President to admit their actions haven't been Biblical. It's hard for a Pastor to step away from a Pulpit because of unrepentant sin running in the background of his life.

It is no easy task for a regular person to admit their wrong, let alone for a Leader to admit when they have been wrong, because to do so, would force them to ask questions they are afraid to answer:

“Am I fit to be a parent?”

“Am I qualified to be a Pastor?”

“Am I a legitimate President?”

“Do I need to close my business or close my School, because I have refused to impart God’s laws and God’s 

               standard of justice towards those under me?”

“And…if any of those are true…if I am an illegitimate ruler or a wicked and negative influence on those around 

               me…am I even saved to begin with?”

“I can see my sin glaring in my face and I see it influencing the lives of the people in my life, so how does God 

                not see it?”

God doesn't see our sin, brothers and sisters, not because we’ve cried enough tears, not because we've been to Church enough times or read our Bibles to our children every day, no. There is no effort or behavior we could ever enact that will cause God to turn away from our sin. God doesn't see our sin, because our sin was fully and finally nailed to the naked body of His Son Jesus Christ, and He turned away from Him… instead of turning away from us.

If you have repented of your sins and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ;

If you have admitted that you have no righteousness inherent with you;

If you have asked God to forgive you for every time you have broken His laws;

Then God’s eyes will never look away from you…because He looked away from Christ instead.

Admit your faults, Christian parents.  Admit your sins Pastor. Repent you President, you King, you Pharisee. And the God of perfect justice will account the death that your sins have earned you to Jesus Christ, forgiving you, renewing you, killing your old self and making you a new person…by giving you the perfect Law-following righteousness of His Son, to you.

If we as Christians seek to be in places of authority in this World, be they in a Family, School, Government, Business, or Social setting, we need to willingly acknowledge that there is Law above and beyond us. One not formed in a BoardRoom, Chat Room, Court, or Living Room. One that applies to every Human who has ever lived, and is not limited by borders, constitutions, or walls. If we do not want to be troubled by the birth of Jesus Christ, then mirror with your very soul, the words of King David in Psalm 119:97-104 → “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. [98] You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. [99] I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. [100] I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. [101] I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. [102] I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. [103] How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104] Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.”

But on the contrary, should we continue to lead and influence those around us in ways that God says are evil, then, again, King David has other words for us, in Psalm 2 → Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, [3] “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” [4] He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. [5] Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: [6] “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” [7] “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. [8] Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. [9] You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” [10] Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. [11] Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”