The Magi told Herod that a “King of the Jews” had been born. They were speaking of the promised Savior—the Messiah. When Herod heard this, he was deeply troubled. He was a king who held on to power. He did not tolerate a rival king. He would not allow this child to grow up and threaten his throne.
Herod learned from the Jewish leaders that the Messiah King was to be born in Bethlehem. And in his fury, he made a dreadful decision. He ordered that all the boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and under be put to death. He did this in the hope that among them he would destroy Jesus—the Messiah King.
So, Herod sent soldiers to the small town of Bethlehem. And there, innocent blood was shed. How many children were killed? We cannot say for certain. But if Bethlehem was a town of roughly 1,000 people, it is likely that fifteen to twenty young boys were killed. Each one was a child. Each one was loved. Each one was taken from a grieving mother.
We cannot help but think of the millions of children whose lives have been taken through abortion. They, too, were innocent—not because they were sinless, but because they did nothing to cause their own death.
The innocent children of Bethlehem died on account of Jesus. Though we don’t know their names, they are worthy of honor. For this reason, the Church sets aside December 28 to commemorate them as martyrs. And since this date falls on a Sunday, we gather together today to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
The Collect for this day tells us that these martyrs of Bethlehem showed forth God’s praise not by speaking, but by dying. They are called “innocent” because they did nothing to deserve their death. They died because of Christ.
This event, of course, is not joyful. And some may ask, “Why hear a text like this so soon after Christmas?” Others may wonder whether it is appropriate, so close to the celebration of Christ’s birth, to dwell on such dark and unpleasant matters.
And yet, these children are in heaven, and their grieving mothers are now with them. God called them to Himself. He rescued them from every evil unto life everlasting. Scripture speaks of them in the book of Revelation as children who stand before the throne of God, singing His praise. “In their mouth no lie was found for they are blameless before the throne of God” (14:4-5).
There are also times when mothers experience the unexpected loss of a pregnancy—through miscarriage or stillbirth. They grieve and mourn the loss of a child. Yet here, too, there is comfort: their children are with the Lord, and their mothers will see them again in heaven.
Was the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem out of character for Herod? Not at all. History tells us that this act was entirely consistent with the kind of man he was. A well-known historian of the time records that Herod murdered one of his ten wives, along with her grandfather, her mother, and her brother-in-law. He also put to death three of his own sons—and some three hundred others who were suspected of supporting them. In all, Herod killed a great number of people within his own royal family.
Herod was a monster. The Roman emperor reportedly remarked, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his own son.” With a reputation like that, it should not surprise us that Herod would order the deaths of fifteen to twenty young boys in Bethlehem in his attempt to destroy Jesus. This was not an aberration. It was entirely in keeping with who he was.
Why? Why was Herod filled with such a desire to kill the children of Bethlehem and members of his own family and even his own citizens? Why did God not stop Herod from slaughtering the children of Bethlehem? Why does God not stop evil today? Why is there still, in our own time, such a thirst to abuse power? Why is there a willingness to destroy the innocent—whether in the womb, through murder, or by assassination? Why is there evil in our world?
To many of these questions, we must humbly confess that we do not know the full answers. God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We are not called to place God on trial. God is not the source of evil, nor is He the one to blame. Rather, we are called to trust Him to believe that He remains in control even when we cannot see it, and that He works all things according to His good and gracious will.
On the last day, justice will be done. Those who do evil acts and refuse to repent and who reject the Gospel will suffer eternal punishment.
Yet Scripture does give us answers to some of these questions. Why is there an abuse of power? Why is there a desire to kill innocent people? Why is there evil in our world? It is because of sin—original sin caused by Adam and Eve. We live in a fallen world. This world will never be perfect. It will never be without sin or evil.
There is also a “Herod,” so to speak out there, but there is also a “Herod” so to speak inside each one of us. Scripture calls him the Old Adam. Our sinful nature is an enemy of God. It seeks to destroy what is true, good, and beautiful. It wants to get its own way. It hurts others with words and actions. It is driven by pride, lust for power, and a disregard for life. As Jesus says, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander” (Matthew 15:19).
Therefore, we pray that God would give us the ability to see our sin and in repentance confess it. God is gracious and merciful to us because of the cross and open tomb. In Christ our sins are forgiven.
As a forgiven sinner—a baptized child of God—what are we to do? We are called to speak the truth of the Gospel. We are to speak out against the abuse of power—whether by governing authorities or by an abusive husband. We are to speak against the killing of innocent life in the womb. We are to uphold life, marriage, and family according to God’s design. We are to care for the needy, the abused, and the unwed mother. And we are to be merciful, kind, and forgiving toward one another.
Only in the Gospel is there healing for sinners and hope for those who grieve. Even in the midst of persecution, we pray for our enemies. We pray that they come to repentance and to faith in Christ. It is also our prayer that others may see Christ in us.
What did God do in response to the evil in our world? He sent His Son. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. God’s plan was not that Jesus die by the hand of Herod, but by the hand of Pontius Pilate. God’s plan was not that Jesus perish by Herod’s sword, but by the cross. God’s plan was not that Jesus die as an infant, but that He live as an adult—having fulfilled the Law in our place.
And so, an angel appeared to Joseph and warned him that Herod was seeking to destroy the infant Jesus. Joseph was told to take the child and His mother and flee to Egypt. And they did. After Herod died, the family returned from Egypt and settled in Nazareth. Joseph did what God told him to do. Joseph protected Mary and the infant Jesus. Pray for strong fathers who are like Joseph following God’s Word.
Earlier, God had called His people Isreal out of Egypt in the days of Moses. But Israel proved unfaithful. Now, God calls His Son, Jesus, out of Egypt and He is faithful to His Father. Jesus does what Israel failed to do. Jesus is Israel reduced to one. Jesus is the new and faithful Israel, the obedient Son of the Father.
Jesus was spared from Herod’s sword only to die later on Pilate’s cross. Jesus escaped Herod, but Pilate crucified Him. And there on the cross, Jesus died an atoning death for your sin and for the sin of the whole world.
The children of Bethlehem were innocent. They did not deserve the death they received. So also, Jesus was innocent. He was sinless. He had done nothing wrong. Yet, he died as if He was a sinner—having our sin and the sin of the whole world upon Him. The children of Bethlehem shed their blood on account of Christ; but Christ shed His blood for us. He took our place under God’s judgment against sin and paid the full penalty of our guilt.
So, what did God do to address the evil in our world? He sent Jesus to be our Savior. What God is really like is not based on the evil and the suffering around us. Rather, what God is really like is seen when we look at Jesus. On the cross, Jesus bore all the sin and all the evil of the world and He died in our place. There we see a God who loves us—a God who suffers for us and with us. And on the third day, Jesus rose again. He defeated our enemies—death, and the devil. Because Jesus lives, you too shall live.
As we journey toward heaven, the road will be rough. In this world we will face trial and tribulation. We will endure hostility from an unbelieving world. But take heart. Jesus has overcome the world. Sin is forgiven, the devil is defeated, and heaven is open for you and for all who believe. And one day, by God’s grace, we will see again our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us in the faith.
Therefore, there is nothing to fear. Neither Herod nor Pilate, neither tribulation nor persecution, will be able to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As you journey to heaven, may God grant you perseverance. May His Word and the Lord’s Supper this morning strengthen and nurture your faith in Christ. And may you be comforted in this sure promise that Jesus is with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
