A king's death for death or a King's life for life?

Jesus Christ's life was contemporary with the life and reigns of many different Herods. He was born under the reign of Herod the Great (Herod 1), and after Joseph removed his family to Egypt being warned in a dream to do so, they returned to Galilee when Herod 1's Roman-client kingdom was divided by Caesar Agustus between three of Herod 1's sons, Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Herod Philip. So Jesus Christ grew up in Nazareth of Galilee, which was then under the tetrach of Heord Antipas. His ministry, however, spanned beyond Anitpas' jurisdiction (Galilee & Perea) for He taught and did miracles also in Decapolis, Samaria, and Judea, but primarily in Galilee was most of his life and ministry peculiar, until His Passion (Trial and Crucifixion) and Resuurection. These took place in the region of Judea, but at this point Archelaus had been thought incompetent as Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, and therefore removed by banishment. When Jesus Christ was on trial, He appeared before Herod Antipas in Jerusalem. Though Herod Antipas did not have jurisdiction over Judea, he was present when Christ's trial took place. Herod Antipas was not only the king who imprisoned and murdered John the Baptist, but also the king who mocked Christ by giving Him his robe and also sent Him back to Pilate for judgment, which eventually led to Christ's execution.
The Herod that this article will focus on is Herod the Great, who like most of the Herodian kings (as history would later reveal), was a barbaric and murderous man. The historical writings of Josephus recount horrific narratives of how Herod through fear, torture, bribery, and murder clawed his way up to become king over what is now modern day Palestine. A man full of wicked devices, Jewish people or others living in the area, were subject to his every whim. In some ways, the Jews appreciated Herod for his building programs which included the construction of a Temple, which they had longed for, but overall, because of his seared conscience and the treatment of those which resided in his client kingdom, he was despised by all, including his own wives and children.
Herod himself was a fearful and suspicious man. This drove him to many criminal acts. Being an Idumean (formally the country of Edom), though a practicing Jew, Herod was always conscience of the threats against his kingdom. Uprisings among the Jews were many, one, because of their hatred towards the Roman Empire, but two, because of their hatred towards Herod. They were inspired by the Maccabees family who had a couple of hundred years ealier had led an uprising against Antioch Epiphanies IV and were succesful. The rebellions against Herod were not exclusively outsiders, for in fear for his life, Herod eventually murdered two of his sons, Alexander and Aristobulus. Additionally, their mother Mariamne was also executed by Heord years before her sons. Later, shortly before he died, he would take Antipater's life, who was another one of his sons. It is no wonder then that Herod deceitfully tried to trick the wise men into telling him exactly where Chirst was living because "he was troubled..." (Matthew 2:3). The wise men did not return to him because they were "warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod..." (Matthew 2:12). This resulted in Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents, that is, the murder of all male children two and under in Bethlehem and in all the coasts surrounding.
To further affirm the wickedness of this man, Herod full of illness and realizing death was certain, ordered his sister, Salome, and her husband to gather the influential and noble Jews by force and place them in the Hippodrome. Upon his death, he ordered these Jews to die. Because of his despotic sins against God and humanity, he knew the Jewish people would rejoice upon his death, so in the event of his death he wanted the people to mourn. Herod died five days later and Salome decided not to slaughter the influential and noble. However, there is a striking contrast with this king and his contemporary, albeit for a small portion of his life, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
Leading to Christ's death a man condemned was freed.  The Bible tells us of a man named Barabbas that was freed by the condemnation of Jesus Christ. It was the custom in those days for the Roman government to release one prisoner to the Jews at Passover. Pilate suggested Christ be released, but the people shouted for Barabbas. The Gospels of Mark and Luke tells us he was imprisoned for insurrection and murder (Mark 15:6; Luke 23:19). The Gospel of John tells us he was imprisoned for robbery (John 18:40). As formally mentioned, the accusations against him are not surprising because there were many who caused insurrection. The insurrection would sometimes involve the murdering of Roman officials or soldiers and the robbery of garrisons. The high priests, not Levitical, and other blasphemers were bold to demand the release of Barrabas, considering the high priest in those days was positioned by Herod. If there ever was a "fall man" for the revolts it would be the high priest; and yet, they would rather have a seditioner for one who brought peace.
Christ's death brought resurrection to some of the dead. When Christ died, three things happened. Matthew 27:50-52 states, "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,". Christ's death brought life to some of the saints that had previously passed away.
Christ's death brings spiritual life to all that believe on Him. Romans 6:6 states "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the boy of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Because of His death, "...whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13). Christ's brings eternal life to all who will believe in Him.
Among the many striking contrasts between the two kings, the main one is this: Herod wanted to bring death when he died, but Christ because of His death offers eternal life to all who desire it. With that in mind, which one truly is "great"?

In Christ,

Pastor Jon
Philippians 2:15