Herod’s Curiosity

Have you ever watched a trailer for a show or movie that got you really excited and made you want to watch it right away? However, when you finally watch it, the movie is a huge disappointment. The same thing can happen when we get too curious about something. Just like the old saying goes, "curiosity killed the cat."

Today, we delve into the intriguing narrative of Jesus standing trial before Herod. In Luke 23:8-12, we witness Herod's curiosity leading him to encounter the very Son of God. Herod's curiosity leads him from admiring Jesus to mocking Jesus.

When we really look at this story, I think it's more about our spiritual discernment than our spiritual curiosity.

Up until this point, the Jews had refused to accept Pilate's verdict that Jesus was innocent. Instead, they made more accusations against him. When they mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate, who was a skilled politician, saw an opportunity to get rid of the problem. He decided to send Jesus to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, who had previously killed John the Baptist. Herod was eager to see Jesus, hoping to find a way to please the Jews.

Herod was curious about Jesus, but his intentions were not pure. He only wanted to see miracles and satisfy his own intrigue, seeking entertainment instead of truth. It's important to ask ourselves how often we approach Jesus in a similar way, seeking temporary satisfaction instead of genuine transformation.

"Herod's curiosity" is an expression used to describe a strong desire or craving. You can find this term in other parts of the Bible, such as James 1:14-15, which explains that people are tempted when their evil desires lure them away. Once a desire has taken root, it can lead to sin, which eventually results in death.

Matthew 6:22-23 teaches us that our eyes are like lamps for our bodies. If we have healthy eyes, our bodies will be full of light. However, if our eyes are unhealthy, our bodies will be full of darkness. This passage emphasizes the importance of guarding our desires and being mindful of where our curiosity takes us.

Many people have shown interest in discussing Jesus, finding His life and crucifixion fascinating. However, simply being curious about Christ is not enough to save people from their sins, which brings me to my final point.

Herod missed a great opportunity when he encountered Jesus. Instead of responding to Herod's requests for a miracle and answering his questions, Jesus remained silent. Herod then joined his soldiers in their contempt and mockery towards Jesus, even dressing Him in splendid clothing. These actions were significant in the accusations against Jesus, as they showed that Herod did not take the charges seriously and treated them as a joke.

This is the saddest part of the hearing before Herod. He had heard about Jesus (23:8) but chose not to make any further inquiries about him during this hearing. In a serious court of law, we would have expected him to do so. But it did not happen. What is very clear, however, is that Herod, like Pilate, did not judge Jesus guilty of the charges the Sanhedrin were making.

This is most significant. So, Jesus was sent back to Pilate, and Luke tells us that Herod and Pilate became friends that day; now that is nice, but I know that both men would have wished they had become friends with Jesus for what a friend he is to us.

It is important in our lives to exercise spiritual discernment while making godly decisions. As it is said, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding us as believers to discern the truth. To make the Holy Spirit our true helper and companion, we must listen to him and discern what he is saying to us, even during times of important decisions, such as the upcoming votes.

We understand that we may be rushing you and you may not have all the required information to make a well-informed decision. However, we encourage you to pray and discern what is best for the future of Hope Mills Methodist Church.

Jesus is the savior that didn't come to entertain us but to save us. He doesn't come to make your life easier and better on earth but to give you eternal life with the Father. He didn't come to make you happy but to give you everlasting joy.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunity to gather in Your name and reflect on the story of Jesus' trial before Herod. May Your Spirit guide us as we apply the lessons learned to our lives. Help us approach Jesus with genuine curiosity and a desire for transformation. Grant us the strength to follow His example of humility and trust in Your divine plan. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.