When Jesus came, Herod saw this new king as a threat to his political power.  He was afraid of losing his position of authority, so he went to great lengths to end Jesus' life.  Perhaps the most terrible act of this story is that he murdered baby boys two years old and younger in an effort to kill the Christ.  Jesus interrupted Herod's story, and it made Herod do some incredibly unthinkable things.  But isn't that what fear makes all of us do?  Unthinkable things?  People who are afraid of losing their positions of authority will do anything they can to keep them – even if it means backstabbing, lying, or any other deceitful thing.  People protect their reputations at the expense of others.  Fear is, unfortunately, a strong motivator.  What are you doing out of fear?  Will you be able to look back one day and see a plethora of casualties in your wake?  Will it be worth it?  Herod is remembered as one of the worst kings ever, and his name is forever tarnished.  All because he wanted to hold onto something that wasn't his to begin with.