We use this term often lately to talk about Saddam, but have you considered Herod? Yea, Herod “the Great”, who built Masada and expanded the Temple.

In verses 16-18 of Chapter 2, here is a guy who is running a dictatorship, and sees a possible threat to his kingship in a “baby”! A baby that probably even if it was a valid threat, would not be so until at least 10+ years!

So what does he do, when he finds out that the Magi left without informing him of the Babies location? He does what any lunatic would do in that case…he orders ALL babies killed in the region!?! What!?! First off, it can’t that hard to find out where 3 rich foreigners went to in a small town, just ask around. Then lock them up, or something!?! …but no, just kill ’em all! Of course, this is the same guy that killed his wife and two sons as well.

Now think you are there that night, watching TV, just got your son to sleep after him crying for 6 hours (parents can relate). All of a sudden, crash opens the door, soldiers come in, take your baby, and say he must die! You ask why, and they say…”The king said so. He thinks some baby is going to be king at some point” WHAT!?!?

This is evil, and this is the land and times that Jesus, our Savior, was brought into. You may think things are sick now, but let me tell you, they were sick then! It makes you rethink yourself when you say how bad things are, and realize that this is and always was a sinful world we live in. It makes you realize our need for Jesus!