Another Slice of Honey-Glazed Tetrarch

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

“The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to Him, “Go out and depart from here, for Herod will kill You.” And He said to them, “You go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, today and tomorrow, I cast out demons and I complete cures, and the third day I will be finished.’”-  Luke 13:31 (MKJV)

 

Isn’t it funny what we’ll do to save a little face and much of it isn’t as Biblical as we would like it to be? Take for instance Herod Antipas, here’s a guy that appreciated a good preaching now and again, “It’s good for a king to turn over a new leaf?” he musta thought whenever he heard John the Baptist preach but it got a little testy when The Baptist pointed the adultery Herod was involved in. “OFF WITH HIS HEAD” (oh no she’s back) was the short response but the long one for John was imprisonment, becoming Herod’s personal preacher and then Herodias had her daughter ask for his, well if you’ve been following the story, you already know. All this just to keep up an appearance that things are normal.

 

But then Herod becomes vexed when he’s told about some Nazarene they call Yeshua, and He’s preaching in Galilee, Herod’s turf. At first the stories about Elijah or one of those other prophets had appeared but when it was said that it really was John the Baptist, Herod was like, “But I killed John—took his head off. So who is this that I keep hearing about?” (Luke 9:9) This now becomes the Segway moment from bending his ear to hear the voice of the one that cries outta da wilderness to trying to catch up with The One that voice was crying out about. But as time would have it, it seems that both of these men are outta synch with each other, so One doesn’t run into the other…until chapter 23 of Luke’s Gospel.

 

“And seeing Jesus, Herod greatly rejoiced, for he had desired to see Him for a long time, because he had heard many things about Him. And he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. And he questioned Him in many words, but He answered him nothing.” — Luke 23:8-9

 

So, it would seem that little fox comment Jesus made in reference to Herod didn’t make it to Herod’s ears. However, it would appear that Herod may be ready to do business with Jesus BUT there’s a problem. When The Baptist was alive, Herod had his ear bent to his preaching, it probably kept Herod’s heart somewhat pliable, but he had him beheaded, all done to save face, and now Herod’s face to face with Jesus, heart probably hardened over time…all because he wasn’t hearing anything from El Elyon and now, He’s in the room. Guess what? Jesus ain’t got nothing to say to him either.

There’s a very chance that deep in his heart, Herod was in no way interested in hearing anything Jesus had to say. Knowing that Herod’s father set out to kill Him in what was been known as the “Massacre of the Innocents”, I wouldn’t have much to say to you either. Then this moment turned and Herod became as common as one of his own guards. “Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back to Pilate.” (Luke 23:8) And then comes the part that I think illustrates what it looks like when we forsake the things of God for the things of this world, “That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.” (Luke 23:9)

 

What happened to Herod can happen to us. Granted, Herod Antipas was trapped by a lustful heart, but just like us, his heart was in bad condition, and it had him in a bad place. And without the hearing of any kind of good, orderly preaching, his own thoughts became his gospel thoughts so by the time he gets face to face with Jesus, Herod just wants a show. Jesus being silent to him all the more infuriated him. He coulda just fell to his knees and asked for forgiveness but, nah, let’s have a little fun…at Jesus’ expense. Sad, but true.

 

As the sermons are preached this coming Resurrection Sunday, it’s my hope that you bring ears that listen. It’ll be important to hear what it cost for forgiveness of sin. Like Herod, we may think we got it handled but deep inside of us, sin rots and God can see it. That’s how much He pays attention to His Creation. His first promise to us was, “He will bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” That all happened. It’s time to get back to “What Thus Saith The LORD”…Amen?

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can e-mail him at cphughes515@verizon.net.


Think About This: “Unless we silence sin, sin will silence conscience. Unless we pay attention to God’s Word, the day may come when we despise God’s Son and reject Him, and then God will have nothing more to say to us.” — Sinclair Ferguson

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 14:25-35| You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:16

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