Hearing, Believing And Beyond

I shared with you that I did not subscribe to the fact that when we hear news about King Jesus and we believe such news, it makes us better or worse. I’m sure that this is your testimony and experience also that the Living Word shows up truth about the person who hears and believes. The Word does not show up truth about the Word, for the Word is Truth.

Before concluding, let’s return to Paul and Silas and how their response to the news of sudden, unplanned change, was met without resistance, worry, discouragement or disquiet. They embraced the necessary change and this brought even more diverse and healthy fruit to the Lord. Check the Magi and the shepherds also and note the same positive moves. God upheld their faith and obedience and fruit was borne to Him.

Now we return to Herod. On hearing and believing the word about Jesus, suddenly, he becomes an obsessed man, obsessed with the birth of the King of the Jews, there in his jurisdiction. When Herod heard this he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2: 3. Be not naïve about it. This is definitely not the Good News Herod is expecting to receive or wants and longs to hear. In fact, it is down-right bad news for him. The birth of the King of the Jews, does not bring peace and comfort to Herod. On the contrary, it does the complete opposite, for he is disturbed, restless, disquieted and most troubled. Herod begins to fear and this fear is not a healthy, wholesome fear. His fear leads him to be devious, deceitful and purely demonic in his thoughts, words and actions.  

His Thoughts - When Herod hears, as was stated, he believes. He never doubts a word of what the Magi have said about the star and their reason for coming to Jerusalem. Straightway, he begins to think negative thoughts about the Advent of the King of the Jews, thoughts which have him extremely disturbed.

His Words - Because his thoughts are evil, because he is pitting himself as king, over Jesus as King, he is being deviously cunning and deceiving. Knowing full well in his words, what he speaks to the Magi, is a lie, he is quite cautious and astute about how he crafts his words.

• Go and search carefully for the Child Jesus.

• When you find Him, come right away and tell me.

• I would like to see the King also. I want to go to Him.

• My desire is to worship the King of the Jews.

O how correct, nice sounding, lawful, admirable and sweetly welcoming words are deadly in the deceiving one!

His Actions – Herod’s actions are deadly for his thoughts and words are also deadly. We know this because God has revealed it to both the Magi and Joseph. God, through His heavenly messengers, has exposed the evil intentions of Herod.  The angel told Joseph to get up and take Mary and the baby away to Egypt. He told him to, Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. Matthew 2: 13b

Here’s a point of divine interest to latch on to, ensuring that you know it to be true. God knows the heart of every single person. He knows our thoughts, our words and our actions. Not only that, but He can make them known to others.

What is the condition of your heart? How does your hearing and believing the Good News of Jesus, Saviour of all people, affect you? Are you drawing others to the Lord or are you deterring them? As the heart, so will you and your fruit bearing be.

In our final week, we will be exposed to, Hearts In Advent.