Why were Herod and all of Jerusalem troubled?

When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ (which, I believe happened while Jesus, Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem), they began asking, "Where is He that is born the King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2)

Matthew 2:3 says "When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why Herod the king was troubled. Herod was a vicious king who was paranoid. He suspected almost everyone around him of trying to take his throne. He was even known to kill his own children if he suspected they intended on usurping his authority. Herod was troubled because he saw that his position as king was in jeopardy.

Many times in our lives, we fail to recognize Jesus as Lord because it means that we are not in control of our lives, neither are we supposed to live to make ourselves happy. I could have a great career at print journalism... several in the industry have told me so. I probably would never get on staff at the Dallas Morning News, or even the Austin American-Stateman, but I could probably have a successful career at a mid-market paper. However, my life is not about advancing my career and satisfying my ego. It is about exalting Christ and following His plan for my life. God has given me the ability to work in newspapers so that I can use that to get into areas where He leads me to minister (much like Paul and tentmaking).

Why do you do what you do? Is it to realize your own goals and dreams, or is it to exalt Christ and follow His will for your life? Often, people are comfortable in expending small amounts of energy in church activities... but few actually dive into the Christian life with both feet.

Then, the Bible says all Jerusalem was troubled with Herod. Why? Why would the people of Jerusalem be troubled at the idea of the birth of Christ? Could it be the Old Testament prophecies about His executing judgment upon the earth? Or would it be because they knew Herod would not take too kindly to the idea of yielding his throne to the Messiah? (Perhaps they knew trouble was afoot.)

We know that before Jesus returns, perilous times will prevail. Those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture (or those who don't believe in a rapture at all) believe that Christians will have to endure the perils of Daniel's 70th week and the great tribulation. Those who believe in a mid or pre-tribulation rapture believe that Christians will not have to endure the great tribulation, but will still face tough, perilous times and persecution leading up to the rapture.

These facts should not stop us from praising and glorifying God, but rather should prompt us to "look to the sky, for our redemption draweth nigh." In discussing end times events in Matthew 24:6, Jesus said, "See that you are not troubled, for all these must come to pass, but the end is not yet." While He was referring to the wars and rumors of wars leading up to the end, Jesus did not want His disciples to live in fear of the end times. He wants us to face uncertain times with our heads up, depending on Him for strength, guidence and deliverance, and praising Him.

Of course, another reason Jerusalem was troubled could have been that the arrival of Messiah would have interrupted, if not halted, business as usual. What a shame it is when our personal day-to-day business drowns out the greater vision God has for our lives. Don't be so entangled in the affairs of this world that you tune out God's kingdom.

I have not been as good of a disciple of Christ as I could have been in 2007. My only New Year's resolution is to be a better disciple and impact as many people's lives as possible. It's time to get real!