Up Close and Personal - Herod Agrippa

When we start learning how Jesus of Nazareth came into this world, we will deal with a lot of scriptural passages and historical accounts of authoritative Jewish historians featuring King Herod, who at that time was the King of Judea, a region of the Roman Empire which now consists of Israel and Palestine.

King Herod came into this throne, power and authority by killing a lot of people. He is known to have killed his relatives, his wife, and even his own son, to keep his throne to himself, and anyone who opposes his will are meted out with death penalty.

He was introduced to us when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, during the Gospel reading of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, where he ordered all innocent babies killed in Bethlehem, when he learned that Jesus is destined to be King of the Jews.

Herod is the exact opposite of Jesus. Herod rested himself on his power, and he loves the praise of other people. He loves everyone who are popular with the Jews, that is why he loves John the Baptist because the Jews believe he was a prophet, and he regretted killing him. He loves being adored, and he shows his might and power to gain flattery. In fact, Herod persecuted Christians in Jerusalem because the Jews love it.

Jesus, meanwhile, is meek and humble. He is a servant leader. He calls out people when the least are being persecuted. He teaches mercy and compassion and he shows this with his actions. He teaches with authority. He mingled with the poor.

In the darkness of the world, Jesus came, not to curse the darkness, but to light a candle.

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This article is sponsored by Apple Watch Hermès.

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