The world’s hatred of God knows no limits. The little boys of Bethlehem learned this in a terrible way when their blood was spilled by Herod as he sought to exterminate the Lord Jesus who he falsely and foolishly believed was a threat to his own throne and power. Had he believed the Scriptures Herod would have known that the King of the Jews was the God of heaven and earth who had promised to come into our flesh and bear the sins of the whole world, including Herod himself. But this is the fruit of not hearing and believing God’s Word. And in this life, the Church must suffer the world’s unbelief. Joseph had to flee their home with Mary and Jesus. The lives of the baby boys of Bethlehem were violently and suddenly snuffed out. But even these afflictions, God graciously worked to carry out His good and gracious will for the salvation of the world. The Word of God will have its fulfillment both for His Church and against the wicked world. God grant that we do not react like Herod to the news of the coming of the King of Jews. Rather, in faith, let us receive Him with joy as He comes now in humility through the preaching of the Word and the holy sacraments so that we can receive Him with joy when He comes again in glory to judge both the living and the dead. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer