The Shepherd King - as contrasted with the tyrant king

Almost every night, we pray and sing hymns before the kids go to bed. When in it's full version, each child gets to choose a hymn. Out of the blue the other evening, my daughter said, "What was that "king one," Mom?" 

"King one? Have we sung it before bed before?"
"Yeah, awhile ago."
"We Three Kings?"
"Yeah! I used to know all the words!"

I know that many will think this is just awful, but I'm okay with breaking out the Christmas carols on October 29. I think I've usually waited until November 1, but what's a few days? :)

The irony of it all is that I just studied Matthew 2 last week. I had no thoughts of Christmas when I began studying Matthew, but the timing was beautiful.

Here Herod the King is noticeably concerned over some tidings from some eastern visitors. Their claim that a Jewish king had been born has him summoning all of the chief priests and scribes to learn more about this.

Do you know what strikes me? The wise men said a king was born. Herod asked about where the Christ was to be born. He was immediately concerned that the Messiah had come. He immediately began plans to destroy this baby. How often do you think Herod sat in fear of his kingdom being ripped from him? 

My thoughts immediately go to "The Sword of Damocles." Damocles was a Greek who was given the opportunity to be king for a day, but before allowing him the privilege, the tyrannical king Dionysius had a sword hung from the ceiling by a horse hair. Damocles was enjoying himself immensely until he looked up. To Dionysius, being king meant a life of constant fear that others would want his power. 

And how do rulers act when they're living in fear? They're tyrants. The tyrant knows that if everyone else wants his power half as much as he does, he's in real danger. He thinks that if he can somehow get everyone else lower than him... if he can keep everyone else afraid enough of him... then he will stop being afraid and start feeling secure.

Fear is a terrible thing to base authority on.

Contrast that with Jesus.

"for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."

What's the opposite of a tyrant? What's the opposite of someone who spends every effort to crush everyone around him? Perhaps we might think of someone who spends every effort to take care of every last one under his care. Perhaps we might think of a shepherd.

What does a shepherd do?

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
    He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever. (Psalm 23)

What did Herod do? He killed all of the boys 2 years old and younger. Having two of those sleeping in their bedrooms as you read that makes it hit a little closer to home.

But what does the shepherd do?

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

That verse the scribes quoted came from Micah 5. When I read the rest of that passage, I was just so amazed at the contrast to the storyline in Matthew 2.

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
 And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:4-5)

Here’s hope for the tyrant. Here’s hope for the mama who just lost her babies. Where is peace and security to be found?

“He shall be their peace.”

Jesus came as the shepherd king - not the tyrant king. He came humbly - as a child under the protection of his earthly father. But earthly kings still had no dominion over him. Herod stood no chance to destroy him. Jesus is who deserves all of our worship and praise - all of our elaborate, impractical worship.