Thursday, February 26, 2015
Luke 23:8-9 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.
PLACES OF THE PASSION -- HEROD'S PALACE
The Palace of Herod is thought to have been located along the western edge of the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was not built by Herod Antipas, but by his more famous (or shall we say infamous) father, Herod the Great.
We don't know why Herod Antipas was in Jerusalem, but God's Word tells us that He had wanted to see Jesus for a long time. Why was he so excited to see Jesus? Had he repented of His sin with his brother's wife? Nope. Was it because he wanted to sit and listen to Jesus too? Nope. Jesus had lived and taught in his lands for three years! Was it because he wanted to know if Jesus really was the Christ? Negative.
Why was Herod so excited? He heard about Jesus' miracles and hoped to see a sign, a miracle done by Him. He wanted Jesus for His miracles, not for spiritual comfort, not for His Word. Jesus was just entertainment for Herod. I sincerely pray that we don't treat Him as lightly as Herod did.
What? We aren't shallow unbelievers, are we? We, like Mary and Martha, know to whom we should turn when we need a miracle: Jesus. When a loved one contracts a disease or falls sick, we turn to Jesus. When facing a serious surgery, we turn to Jesus. When we have no other recourse, when we need a miracle we turn to Jesus and fall on our knees (and we should) -- but is that the only time we seek Him -- when we need help for something big?
Shouldn't we be turning to Him EVERYDAY for EVERYTHING? Instead of stressing and worrying and whining, why don't we take both our big ticket problems to Him, and the little things too.
"Well, pastor, God only helps those who help themselves." Well, that's what our spiritually bankrupt society says. What does God say in His Word? Our God urges us to bring our needs, both those that require miracles and those that simply require His intervention.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him when in trouble, for He says (Psalm 50:15, ESV): " ... call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
He also urges us to hand over the little things to Him, and stress no longer (1 Peter 5:6-7, NKJV): "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
God help us to learn to turn to and rely on Christ for everything every day, and afterward be moved to give Him thanks for everything every day.
