From The Desk Of Pastor Paul Viggiano

There are still Herods aplenty

By Paul Viggiano

Ambrose Bierce, in his Devil's Dictionary, defines politics as "A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles." This was as true 2,000 years ago as it is today.

Jesus was greeted at birth with a political conspiracy. Herod and his advisers wanted the baby terminated. Just why would Herod, a puppet of the Roman Empire, want to kill a little baby? Jesus met this type of hostility all his life. When he re-entered the public arena as a 30-year-old man, the political and religious conspiracy to kill him continued until its success.

Why does everybody want to kill Jesus? Why would Herod have been so determined to succeed that he would kill a whole region of males under 2 years old just to make sure the baby didn't live?

Jesus labeled his generation faithless and perverted. It would appear that a twisted political and religious agenda has no room for a genuine Jesus. But why?

Let's be clear. The Romans and the Pharisees (the perverted clergy of the era) didn't care if a bunch of Jews decided to believe in a man named Jesus, have prayer meetings, quiet times, sing hymns and embrace his instructions on loving their enemies. Those who heed the instructions of Jesus would make model citizens.

Except for one thing:

Apparently Jesus was a king -- even more, the king of kings. The magi came to worship a king. When the followers of the Pharisees realized Pilate (a Roman governor) was contemplating releasing Jesus, they engaged in first-century spin: "We have no king but Caesar," they cried. Would Pilate release a prisoner who threatened the authority of Caesar? Not if he wanted to continue living.

Jesus was born to die. The Bible says a body was prepared for Jesus to do the will of the Father, which was to die on the cross to save sinners. But it would appear that the mechanics behind ensuring that Jesus would die at the hands of sinful men was to assert his authority over the kings of the Earth.

Why did Herod, Pilate, the Israelites and the gentiles want Jesus dead? Because of his assertion of authority over all things. If Jesus is who he claims to be, then he is the rightful master of all things -- great and small -- the hearts and thoughts of men and the kingdoms of the Earth.

It is little wonder that the modern-day Herods are still seeking to terminate the babe. As long as Jesus lives as savior, he reigns as king. In order for today's Herods to advance their political agenda, it is necessary to remove the vestiges of this king from our progressive and enlightened culture. There is nothing more annoying than being confronted with a supreme and holy king who teaches with absolute authority -- especially if I'm trying to legitimize and sanction an ungodly and unethical moral and political schema. This king must be killed!

This begs the question: If Jesus isn't king, who is? If the Pontius progressives want Jesus out, who is his replacement? If we're not one nation under the Triune God, who are we under? We're certainly not going to draw the nightmarish conclusion that the ultimate authority is wafting through the halls of Capital Hill.

Perhaps we're one nation under the people. But what if the people decide they want to be one nation under God? Is that the one instance where the will of the people must be overturned? And if so, by whom? On the other hand, what if the people decide that it's perfectly moral to lie, steal, cheat and extort? Is it ethical by consensus? Alternatives to being under God appear lacking.

There are plenty of Herods today. They continue to seek to kill the baby Jesus. They think they'll succeed by removing Christmas trees, nativity scenes or getting corporate America to reject the "Merry Christmas" greeting at the local mall. Like Herod, they consult their scribes to find the baby Jesus and remove his crosses, his laws and anything that brings our thoughts to him. One day, no doubt, they will they seek to rename all the cities? Instead of Santa (saint) Barbara will it be Secular Barbara and Secular Diego and Los Angeres?

Herod failed in his attempts to kill Jesus, but not until he caused heartache and destruction. Today's Herods will fail as well. But they, like their predecessor, will wreak as much devastation as they possible can. May God grant us the eyes to see the blessings attached to serving a holy, righteous and benevolent king. May God grant us wisdom to still seek him.

The Rev. Paul Viggiano is pastor of the Branch of Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Torrance. His e-mail address is pastorpaul@integrity.com.