November 22 Seek Jesus

Luke 9:7-9 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.
 
HEROD was one of four (“tetrarch” means divided into four parts) rulers in the territory that was once Judah, the Southern Kingdom of the Jews, and Israel, the Northern Kingdom. Althogh he was referred to as King Herod, he was not a king but a governor. And remember he is the son of Herod the Great, who ruled in Jerusalem at Jesus’ birth. Rome’s greater authority was over all rulers of these smaller provinces. But the Romans granted local rulers as regional governors. History and the gospel’s record here of Herod executing John the Baptist are evidence the man had the ultimate authority over the Jews’ lives. He was by all historical accounts a very evil man.
   Why then, do you believe he expressed desire to see who was responsible for these accounts of healings, resurrection and massive crowds? One reason would be political. He wanted to protect his meager “throne”. Great crowds listening to a Jewish rabbi historically meant rebellion. More than one rabbi had stirred crowds against other governors, Herod and Rome. The rebellion leaders paid with their lives in tortuous ways. And the Jewish people also suffered severely.  
   A second reason Herod wanted to see Jesus could be for entertainment. We see this evidence when Herod finally did meet Jesus on the day Jesus died. The only thing Herod wanted from the Lord of Life was a miracle to satisfy Herod’s depraved pleasure. (See Luke 23.)
   Third, Herod may have been hoping for a way out of his sin. Scripture records he often questioned John the Baptist about God. Sometimes people seem to have many questions about God, but such people often really don’t want an answer; they want a loophole into their own beliefs. They would have to change if they would truly believe in God. Maybe Herod was hoping for a loophole that would ease his burdensome conscience.
   I don’t believe Herod had any interest in the truth. If he did, he would have used his power to go to Jesus. He ruled Galilee. What could stop him? A guilty conscience stopped him. A guilty conscience avoids God’s Word. Herod wanted no reminders that his throne was meaningless before the living God.
   Are you perhaps allowing a guilty conscience to keep you from Jesus? I get that way at times. It’s easier to read about the Lord then to go to him and say, “Teach me your truth. I submit to your gospel. I confess my sin.” But this is what the Lord requires. Let’s be continually mindful of our Lord’s love and forgiveness. Truly, faithfully seek his life-giving power for your life.
   Tomorrow, we examine why, perhaps, Jesus didn’t go to see Herod. Wouldn’t this have been a prime opportunity to evangelize?
 
Prayer: Lord, I come to you with guilt on my heart. I know I sin. Forgive me, Father, and turn my heart more deliberately to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.