Midweek Check-in (Jan. 7, 2026)

Good evening, church family,

There’s a darker part of Jesus’ birth we don’t often discuss. But I believe the series of horrifyingly evil events has its place in scripture for a reason.

In chapter two of his gospel, Matthew describes the repercussions of King Herod finding out about Jesus’ birth. King Herod didn’t welcome the news. In fact, he felt so threatened by the possibility of a newborn king (and the potential end to his own reign) that King Herod did the unthinkable.

“When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had learned from the magi.”

-Matthew 2:16

Evil. Tragic, unnecessary, widespread evil.

At this point in the story, Matthew is no longer using the title “king” for Herod. A king doesn’t slaughter his people. A king doesn’t order the massacre of innocent children. A king should know better. Herod, at least according to Matthew, doesn’t deserve the title of king.

I can’t even imagine the communal grief and despair that swept over the people during this time. The words of the prophet Jeremiah echoed across the land.

“A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and much grieving.

Rachel weeps for her children,

and she did not want to be comforted,

because they were no more.”

-Matthew 2:18

My sense of fairness and cosmic justice are disturbed as I continue to read and find no immediate consequences or punishment for Herod. Matthew just skips ahead a bit. There were no angels that came with vengeance; they came instead with a plan for Joseph, Mary and Jesus to just temporarily escape (Matt. 2:13). The people didn’t revolt and overthrow the evil king. The suffering remained unavenged.

This is the exact type of evil the Kingdom of God, ushered in by Jesus, is completely against. Yet when Jesus came into His ministry and began talking about the Kingdom of God, He didn’t come as a conquering warrior or revolution-minded insurgent. No, His instructions included loving our enemies, walking an extra mile in service to another, giving to those in need. This kingdom was very clearly different from Herod’s kingdom.

And Jesus took that self-sacrificing love all the way to the cross.

I don’t know what grief or despair you may be carrying today. We all know the evil that lingers in the kingdom’s of this world. But I hope we can all take comfort in the understanding that Jesus came to show us a better kingdom and a better way. And though the loss we may be carrying with us into 2026 is a familiar experience across history, it is not a part of the ultimate future God has for us.

The climax of all things, Paul tells us in Ephesians 1, is to bring heaven and earth together with Christ at the center. We wait for that kingdom, we pray for that kingdom, and we hope for that kingdom. And let’s be encouraged today in that promise of peace and justice to come!

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

CHICKEN & NOODLE LUNCH: Join us THIS SUNDAY (Jan. 11) right after the morning worship service for a fundraiser lunch of chicken & noodles! The cost is $10 per person or $30 per household.

BAPTISM: Our next opportunity to be baptized is Sunday, Jan. 18. If you are interested in participating in the sacrament of baptism, please contact Pastor Billy.

CHILI COOKOFF: Help us put away the Christmas decorations, then stick around for a chili cookoff on Sunday, Jan. 25 starting at 5 p.m. All are welcome to participate by bringing a crockpot full of your best chili recipe for everyone to sample.

JUST FOR FUN: Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:

·A wallaby escaped from a wildlife refuge in New Jersey and hopped more than a mile to a Walmart, where he was recaptured.

·The United States turns 250 years old this year, and the U.S. Mint is celebrating by minting a bunch of new coins that will soon be in circulation.

·A little late deciding on a New Year’s resolution? The Guinness World Records asks: Why not try to break a world record in 2026? They even have a list of a few attainable records.