Tag Archives: King Herod

Silent Nights

Posted on December 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When the Lord delivered His final message through Malachi 397 years Before Christ, 400 years of silence followed. From a statistical perspective, this meant that God didn’t speak to anyone on earth for 146,200 consecutive days. As Christmas Eve activities begin for followers of Christ, this wasn’t just one silent night. Rather, this was 4 centuries of silent nights.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, 2 Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east [a]at its rising and have come to worship Him, Matthew 2:1-2.

Despite God’s silence, this didn’t stop a group of astrologers from researching what Jewish historians were discussing. Something in the evening sky didn’t make sense. Where did this new star come from in the eastern sky. Subsequently, these curious Magi, also known as wise men, begin a journey across the desert to see what another silent night might bring them.

When Herod the king heard this, he was disturbed and troubled, and the whole of Jerusalem with him. 4 So he called together all the chief priests and learned men (scribes) of the people and [b]anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They replied to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the [c]chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler ([d]Leader) Who will govern and [e]shepherd My people Israel, Matthew 2:4-6.

One of the reasons scholars believe that Jesus was born in 3 BC is that the chaos brought on by King Herod. Fearful of this future Jewish king, Herod’s edict led to the slaughter of innocent Jewish boys two years and younger. For those parents seeking to hide their infants, these were not silent nights. These events all set the stage for the birth of the Christ child, Matthew 2:9-10, ending once and for all countless silent nights.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

S.A.N.S. Episode 330: What Christmas Means to Me

Posted on December 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes when I read the Bible, certain verses jump off the page. When Mary let the testimonies of the shepherds sink in, pondering their eyewitness accounts with an angel in her heart, she didn’t overreact. When I was younger, I had a tendency to celebrate too soon. Yet, as I have grown older, I now try to respond like Mary, weighing everything before I come to a conclusion. As an adult, what Christmas means to me now is to be with and spend time with family.

And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary was keeping [h]within herself all these things ([i]sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart, Luke 2:18-19.

Any teenage parent has a lot of their minds. Yet, before Mary could enjoy being a mother, God warns Joseph in a dream to flee. The first few years of Jesus’ birth Mary and Jospeh were on the run, trying to escape King Herod’s decree to kill all baby boys under the age of two. From age 2 to 12, the Bible doesn’t mention Jesus’ life. As Jesus grew up from a child into a young man, Mary likely realized that her son would one day save her soul, Luke 19:10.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

What If Herod Got His Wish

Posted on December 24, 2017 by expressyourself4him

The older I become, the more I find myself playing the What if Game.  What if this happened instead of that?  If this went my way or if I waited a little longer, would the outcome have changed?  While I was pondering several possibilities, a thought popped into my mind.  What if King Herod got his wish, finding the Messiah; then killing Jesus to remain in power?

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him,” Matthew 2:7-8.

While churches across the country and throughout the world will sing about a Silent Night, this great event could have been marred by tragedy.  The Magi could have sought to please King Herod, returning to his palace, directing him to the exact location of this child.  Yet, divine intervention persuaded these wise men to do what was right, taking an alternate route back home.  Meanwhile, the Lord spoke to Joseph in a vivid dream, prompting an immediate departure for Egypt, to escape Herod’s sword.  If not for these actions, the Messiah would be no more.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.  When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”  So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,   where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son,” Matthew 2:13-15.

If Herod got his wish, the world would be doomed.  Sure, depending upon where you live, there are some safe places that exist.  Yet, without the completion of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, there would be no hope.  The last 2000 years would have been like The Game of Thrones with one person after another doing whatever it takes to reach the throne.  Thankfully, this what if scenario was stopped in it’s tracks by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If God has the power to intervene like this past historical event, imagine what the Lord can do today within hearts and souls eager to serve God.  I’m not sure what will happen next, but I’m excited about the possibilities.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Original Shawshank Redemption

Posted on December 8, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The Shawshank Redemption film was inspired by the Stephen King 1982 novel collection Different Seasons.  In the 1994 movie, Tim Robbins plays a banker, Andy Dufresne, falsely accused of killing his wife and a golf professional during an affair which took place at his own home.  The jury had enough motive to convict and sentence Dufresne to two life terms in prision at Shawshank State Penitentiary.  When a new inmate reveals a confessional of this crime from a former cell mate, the warden denies Andy’s request for a re-trial as well as killing the prisoner who could prove Dufresne’s innocence.

When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Acts 12:3.

During the first century, a fisherman turned evangelist experiences a similar ordeal.  When the Jesus movement threaten to weaken Judaism, one of its leaders was arrested by King Herod.  Although his life was spared unlike his friend James of Zebedee, Peter is held by armed guards awaiting his trial after the Passover celebration.  To insure he would not escape, Peter was bound with chains on each arm.  Neither predicament seemed plausible until redemption entered the equation.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists, Acts 12:7.

Andy Dufresne used a rock hammer, a poster of Rita Hayworth and time to escape through the tunnel used as the prison’s sewage pipe.  Switching the accounting book in the vault, Andy sent a letter to a local newspaper exposing the corruption at Shawshank on his first day as a free man.  Meanwhile, an angel wakes up Peter, releases his chains and leads him out of prison without anyone noticing his escape.  Following years of injustice, the warden commits suicide instead of facing law enforcement and Herod dies after failing to praise the Lord.  Although each story has its own twists and turns, the accounts by Luke of Peter in Acts 12 can be described as the original Shawshank Redemption.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Conscience, Guilt and Fear

Posted on June 10, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Regardless of your beliefs, environment and upbringing, three invisible forces guide each soul.  As C.S. Lewis suggests in Mere Christianity, the conscience is a moral compass, providing a sense of right and wrong.  Guilt is a by product of the conscience, like a warning signal that cuts to the heart when you sway off course.  Finally, before there was a reality show, God uses fear to scare people straight off the road which leads to destruction, Matthew 7:13-14.

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out, Romans 7:18.

The Law of Human Nature works hand in hand with the conscience, guilt and fear.  Whether human beings like it or not, each have a curious idea within their mind that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it.  Nonetheless, C.S. Lewis breaks the bad news in his chapter with the same title, individuals do not behave in this way despite their knowledge of the Law of Nature; breaking it like the apostle Paul’s confession in Romans 7.

Because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him, Mark 6:20.

An example of the conscience, guilt and fear can be found in Mark 6:14-28.  King Herod probably felt it was wrong for him to take his brother’s wife while he was still living.  John the Baptist’s teaching  exposed Herod’s sin, causing his wife to hold a grudge, looking to eliminate this voice of reason.  Meanwhile, despite his wrong actions, John’s words stirred Herod’s soul, instilling a sense of fear within.  Although Herod had John the Baptist murdered to keep an oath made in public, this decision likely haunted the king for the rest of his life.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did,         1 Corinthians 10:6.

Today,  a progressive society is hoping to nullify the conscience, guilt and fear.  Trying to relive the Age of Enlightenment, educators are encouraging children to do what’s right in their own eyes.  This philosophy didn’t work out so well for the Judges of the Old Testament so why listen to this lie now.  Rather, be open to the guiding light of your conscience.  Treat guilt like a step in the wrong direction and continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Killing Jesus

Posted on October 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

According to the most recent New York Times Best Sellers list for the first week of October, 2013, Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s book Killing Jesus has reached number one.  O’Reilly’s latest novel follows in the footsteps of his 2011 project Killing Lincoln, which remained a best seller for 65 weeks.  While this new project focuses on the historical events leading up to Jesus’ death on a cross, my blog serves as a reminder of how the American media is successfully killing Jesus from modern history books.

jesus on cross photo: Jesus Cross.jpg

Based upon my research using theology books, Jesus was born sometime between 4 and 5 BC, using the decree made by Caesar Augustus for a census for the entire Roman world as a reference point, Luke 2:1-3.  Since Joseph and Mary were on the run. fleeing Jerusalem from King Herod’s slaughter of boys 2 years and under, hiding in Egypt until his death, Matthew 2:13-15, the term Anno Domini was introduced when Jesus returned to Israel in Nazareth, Matthew 2:23.  Despite the rise and fall of empires, history has used Before Christ and in the year of our Lord, the English translation for AD, for thousands of years.  Until recently, Jesus’ place in time was secure.

jesus on cross photo: Jesus on_the_cross.jpg

As educational institutions continue to hire Atheists, Marxists and Socialists as professors, Jesus has been killed, erased and omitted from modern textbooks.  Relying on the Gregorian Calender, which is influenced by international groups like the United Nations, Before Common Era (B.C.E.) and Common Era (C.E.) have now replaced Before Christ and Anno Domini.  The National Education Association, also known as the N.E.A. has adopted this view, removing the traces of Jesus from history books.  These were like the first lashings Jesus received, prior to carrying the cross to a hill on the north side of Jerusalem.

In 1985, the Jesus Seminars appeared on the scene, inspired by Robert Funk, designed and formed by the Westar Institute.  Under the guise of a biblical movement, this phenomena follows in the foot steps of the Gnostic Gospels, written a few hundred years after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  The scary aspect of this movement is their 4 colored bead system.  Red designates what Jesus definitely said, pink represents what Jesus probably said, gray for not original, but like minded comments and black for words Jesus did not say.  If this same scrutiny was applied to the Koran, there would be an uprising among Muslims.  Unfortunately, most churches have remained quiet, allowing Jesus to be mocked, spit on and verbally crucified all over again.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.