“Centuries after Herod, we still face the same temptation to put human leaders on a pedestal, demanding that they use their power to support our ‘religious’ agenda. . . . We demand that these leaders give lip service to our moral values even if they don’t live them out. . . . Consequently, we reshape Jesus into the image of our leaders rather than expecting our leaders to demonstrate the kind of justice and mercy exhibited by the Messiah.”- Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore
Today Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore discuss the third major moment in history that shaped Jewish messianic hopes.
3. Seeking a Superhero. Pompey’s march into Jerusalem in 63 BC signaled the end of an era. Jewish independence ceased to exist. And the new reality? Roman occupation. However, to maintain control, Rome eventually installed its own puppet king. A puppet raised in the ways of Rome.
That puppet king? Herod the Great. A political chameleon, Herod appeared Jewish when in Jerusalem. But he looked Roman everywhere else. Above all, Herod’s corrupt rule during the first century effected a profound impact that shaped messianic expectations. As a result, people desperately longed for a legitimate Davidic Messiah to fix this mess.
Yet, Kyle and Mark point out, the Jewish people wanted more! Because they longed for a dual-purpose leader: a “Messiah of Aaron” and a “Messiah of Israel.” In other words, a priest and a king. Someone powerful enough to:
- displace both the foreign imposed King Herod, and —
- the illegitimate priests Herod installed as his political puppets.
Hence, the people of Israel needed a supernatural figure to take the place of both. Most significantly, Kyle and Mark point out, the language used to describe this figure — “just’ and a “chosen one’ — is the exact same terminology the New Testament uses to describe Jesus Christ (see Acts 3:14, Luke 9:35).”
Today’s question: What problems occur when our leaders merely give lip service to our moral values? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Jesus’ commands = suggestions?”