Troubled

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

A baby boy was born in Bethlehem and everybody in Jerusalem was troubled by it. Why? A new baby usually brings joy and congratulations. This One would bring sorrow and consternation.

Sorrow, as prophesied, would pierce His mother's heart 33.5 years later as He would be woefully treated. Consternation would crease the brows of the religious leaders as He proved their hollowness.

Why were so many troubled at the birth of Jesus?

1. He was a threat to the status quo. You would think the inhabitants of Jerusalem would crave change. Israel and the world were ripe for change and this birth would bring that change. Yet, people loathe change that they cannot grasp.

2. He would stir up the Romans. All this talk about a new King of the Jews would surely bring the Ire of Rome. Caesar was large and in charge and any challenge to his regime would be met with immediate and complete repression.

3. He would enrage Herod. Herod was a self-serving low life, but he had refurbished the temple and no one wanted to have his feathers ruffled.

Who would have thought the birth of a tiny little baby would stir up so much trouble? Well, Jesus said that those who fall upon Him would find comfort, but those upon whom He fell would be ground to powder. It's all about how you accept this child that made an eternal difference.