THE ADVENT – A PARANOID KING

Paranoia is a strong and powerful mental health condition, that can drive a person to do crazy things, if unchecked. Paranoid person is deeply insecure, and highly suspicious of, everything and everyone. They see a threat in everything. They see no reason nor logic to counter their paranoid fears.

King Herod, is a fine example of a paranoid person. The Christmas narrative gives us an insight about him. Herod saw a threat where there was none. Driven by fear, killed every child, under the age of two, so that, there is no scope of any threat, from anywhere, to his throne – Matthew 2:16.

The heartlessness, and the cruelty of Herod, speaks about the darkness, that resides in the hearts of human beings. His action was a blind approach, of indiscriminate killing, of innocent children. Herod, comes across as a cold and cruel man, who would go to any lengths to preserve his personal interests – in this case the throne.

Writing about king Herod, A. B. Bruce says, “Incredible? Anything is credible of the man who murdered his own wife and sons. This deed shocks Christians; but it was a small affair in Herod’s career, and in contemporary history.” What an unflattering image of an earthly king. Compare this cold and cruel man, with the Prince of peace, and the King of kings. There is no comparison at all!!!

How would we respond when our personal interests are at stake? What means and methods will we employ to safeguard our self-interests? Would we be employing, cold and cruel methods, to protect ourselves, and our interests? Would we be willing to stoop to the level of employing mean, manipulative and merciless methods for keeping protecting and preserving our interests? The actions we employ, speaks a lot about who we truly are. Such actions are like quicksand, and will lead us, ultimately, into the very hell, right here on the earth. It is surely a hell, to be paranoid, irrational, cold and cruel in our approach to any problem we may perceive to threaten us and our interests.

What kind of a heart do we have? What dark forces are at play, in and through us? How do we fare, and where do we stand? Would Jesus our LORD, approve us and our actions? 

The LORD is calling us to uphold this standard, as His disciples and ambassadors – “27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” – Luke 6:27

May this advent season help us to pause and reflect, about our hearts, and all that is inside us. May the LORD help us to be His true representatives, and not be, fear driven paranoid persons, seeking to eliminate threats, to our self-interests.