H
erod the Great is king of the Jews. That title accorded him by Mark Antony himself and confirmed by the Roman Senate without a dissenting voice. Word of the travelers traveled like the wind among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Priests and Levites were alarmed. The whole city was troubled. Inquiries from the astrologer’s slaves did not take long to reach Herod’s ears.
“From whence did they come!” demanded Herod.
“It seems they are Armenian Magi, my king. It seems they seek one recently born king of the Jews.”
“They would travel this far for that?” he asked. “Why, for God’s sake? What possible interest could they have in a Jewish king?” He paused as if considering the question. War? Their military was clearly defensive . . . obviously to ward off robbers. Gifts? Treasure? The thought passed through his mind that they might have come to honor him! But then he remembered the qualification, “born” King of the Jews. They were seeking a child. Possessing a natural distaste for children, the thought disgusted him.
“By God, I am the Jewish king!” An advisor, an elderly scribe, then made a mistake. Turning to a colleague, he mumbled something indistinct to the king’s ears. Herod did however, hear the word, “Messiah!” The king was incredulous. “What did you say?”
The scribe had lived too long to be much impressed with a king’s self-importance. Nonplussed, he replied, “I said, majesty, that perhaps they are scholars investigating our scriptures.”
“You said, ‘Messiah!’"
“I did, majesty. It is possible they know of him. It is possible they seek him.”
Herod stared at the scribe as if weighing the impertinence. His initial thought was to insult the old man. Then the plausibility of his suggestion intrigued him. “The Blessed One? Now?” He was not ignorant of the prophecy. No Jew was. But like many Jews (Herod considered himself a Jew, despite the fact that his mother was Arab), especially those of nobility, he did not care enough to know the details. I am not ready for this! “How can you suggest such a thing? It is not yet time! Is it?” This king could not know. His massive ego could never permit him to give it serious thought. “Where exactly is Messiah to be born?”
“In Judean Bethlehem, my king.”
Herod was aghast. The town was practically within the environs of Jerusalem. He paced back and forth, his mind scheming. At last, he ordered, “Send the palace guard! Bring these star-struck fools to me immediately!”
“Is that wise my king?” asked the chief priest, demurely. These men had compelling reason to fear Herod. He had once put the entire Sanhedrin to death. Although the religious body had been reconstituted under the king’s watchful eye, he mercilessly intimidated them, yet they enjoyed a certain royal sanctuary. So on occasion what appeared to be an unseemly presumption was allowed.
“Wise?” the king reacted. “Have I not a reputation for wisdom?” The priest lowered his eyes in deference. “No matter. How, as you say, unwise? Why should I not command that these strangers be brought before me?
“It is known that they have soldiers themselves. No doubt, ours will overcome them, but there will be an engagement. You can be sure Rome will look into that. There will be an official inquiry.”
Herod laughed loudly. These blind idiots would never grasp the reality that as far as the Jews were concerned, he held Rome in his hand. He was a friend with both Augustus and Mark Antony. Although he was not pleased with the latter’s cavorting with that mongrel bitch in Egypt. “Accompanied by a contingent of military? That can only mean that they are important, or that they carry treasure.” His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you are right.” As Procurator of the region, Herod held no fear at all of a small security force. With two Roman legions at his command, he held little fear of an invading army. He could and would destroy these Magi should he possess the whim to do so. They did not call him “The Great” for nothing.
“No!” commanded the king, changing his mind. “Send a secret messenger,” Herod continued ignoring the priest. “Ask these Armenian adventurers to come to my palace. I desire an audience with them.”
