MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 HEROD AND JESUS (CONTENTMENT)
Known for his great building programs,
including the rebuilding of the Temple (a sign of his desire for contentment),
Herod the Great built his first of a series of palace fortresses three miles
southeast of Jesus' birthplace in Bethlehem. Herod remained discontent. He
killed his favorite of ten wives, three of his sons, and decreed to kill boys
age two and younger after the Magi inquired about the birth of Jesus.
In the end, Herod died discontent.
Contrastingly, Jesus and His father
Joseph were most likely stonemasons in Nazareth. They might have worked at a
stone amphitheater in Sephora known as the "Ornament of Galilee," only three to
four miles away from Herod's familiar grand structures.
Jesus died content, satisfied in the
Restorer's peace, forgiving those who were crucifying him: "Jesus said,
'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they
divided up his clothes by casting lots" (Luke 23:34).
Discover true contentment in the peace of God found only in Christ.
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