Matthew 2:7-8
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
It strikes me as curious that Herod called the magi secretly. I mean, if indeed the inhabitants of all of Jerusalem were terrified of the news that a child king had been born, why would Herod need to act in secret? Had not he enlisted his counselors to determine that the king would be born in Bethlehem? Why, then, this suddenly secrecy?
Perhaps by now Herod has moved beyond fear to treachery. That is, it’s one thing to be afraid of news of a child king and the disruptions that might cause. It’s another to determine to murder the child to avoid that fear and disruption. And as we’ll soon learn, that is exactly what Herod is planning.
And so while Herod may count on the fear of the people, perhaps he believes they will not join him in the horror he plans. So he calls the magi secretly, plots and plans secretly, and envisions a violent solution to his fear secretly.
I’ve learned from long experience that secrets are usually an early sign of moral decay. Not childhood secrets, but the secrets of adulthood. Discretion in delicate or private matters is one thing, but secrets usually betray the presence of moral rot.
Herod acts secretly because he knows his thoughts, plans, and eventual deeds cannot stand the light of open scrutiny. John, the fourth evangelist, writes, “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed” (Jn. 3:19-20).
This, I think, is exactly what we see played out here in the life and schemes and fear and violence of Herod, a man who was called to care for God’s people but instead cared for nothing beyond his own power.
Prayer: Dear God, keep us clear of secrets and empower us to live so that our deeds may be seen in the light of day to care for each other and glorify you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
David,
Have you ever written on Epiphany and The Wisemen on this site? Celebrating Epiphany at our church this weekend. Dave
Sorry for the late reply, Dave. I have not written on the magi story – and I’m not sure I’ve preached on it either – and always thought it was a shame that the lectionary didn’t include that as the first Sunday of Christmas in year A.