The Day I Visited a King’s Palace (Dec. 20 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Dec. 20, 2020: Fulfilled through Promise (Matthew 2:1-15)

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By David Faust

While in Israel filming a documentary about the basics of the Christian faith, I visited Herodium, the palatial residence designed for King Herod’s protection and pleasure. By all accounts Herod was paranoid and cruel. He tortured and killed family members, servants, and bodyguards. Ironically, this ruthless ruler who destroyed so many lives was an innovative and prolific builder who oversaw the construction of enormous forts, palaces, water projects, and Jerusalem’s crown jewel, the Jewish temple.

Herodium (also known as Herodion) is now one of Israel’s national parks. It is a 300-foot-high hill resembling a volcano, jutting into the sky about a 10-minute drive from Bethlehem. On the day we visited, a cool breeze blew across the site and thunder rumbled in the distance.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herodium was the largest palace in the Roman world. Near the bottom of the hill was a sprawling 40-acre complex that contained houses, stables, gardens, and a gigantic pool more than 200 feet long watered by an elaborate system of aqueducts. On top of the hill was a lavish royal residence finished a few years before the birth of Christ. Herodium served as Herod’s personal country club complete with banquet rooms, a bathhouse, courtyards, a Roman theater, and living quarters for the king and his guests—all surrounded by stone walls and four large guard towers. King Herod literally could look down on his subjects from his hilltop perch. At Herodium he escaped the heat of Jerusalem’s summers and its always-simmering political pressures.

When Herod knew his death was approaching, he ordered that prominent Jewish citizens should be imprisoned and executed on the day he died to ensure the nation would mourn. Instead, when Herod died in Jericho at about age 69, the prisoners were released and rejoicing filled the land. According to the historian Josephus, Herod was buried at Herodium with his body “covered with purple; and a diadem was put upon his head, and a crown of gold above it, and a scepter in his right hand.” It was a burial fit for a king (at least, a certain kind of king).

Stooping Down

I looked down across the valley below, enjoying the panoramic view from Herodium’s high walls. In the northwest I saw Bethlehem, barely three miles away. Standing there in Herod’s palace, I reflected on the contrast between two kings—one a fearful tyrant, the other a faithful servant.

Herod slept in a palace while Jesus slept in a manger. Herod surrounded himself with soldiers and armaments; shepherds surrounded the baby Jesus. Herod terrified his subjects with threats and violence; Christ drew his followers with sacrificial love. Herod elevated himself; Christ lowered himself, exchanging the privileges of Heaven for the problems of earth. Herod leveraged other people’s money for his own personal pleasure. Christ—even as a young child—attracted seekers from far away who honored him with voluntary gifts. Herod savored his amenities; Jesus loved his enemies. Herod pushed others down to prop himself up; Christ established an eternal kingdom by stooping down to serve.

There in the dusty, deserted house of a long-gone king, I felt grateful that God sent his Son to a manger, not to a gated country club made of stone. The King of kings lives and rules in our hearts. You and I are his palace.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: What will you do this week—and what will you do in the coming year—that requires you to stoop down and serve humbly rather than demanding a position of power?