SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT FOR TODAY

 

Passage: Luke 9:7-9

“Herod Seeks to See Jesus
⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. ⁹ Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.”

Memory Verse Luke 4:37 (NIV)

“AND THE NEWS ABOUT HIM SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE SURROUNDING AREA.

In this edition we want to look at the impact the ministry of the Twelve made on the great and ordinary citizens of Galilee.

Herod Antipas, the tetrarch or king-ruler of Galilee, Peraea and a fourth part of the Roman province of Syria heard of Jesus through the ministry of the Twelve. This Herod was one of the Son’s of Herod the Great. He was the one who ordered the execution of John the Baptist and gave his head to his niece he wrongfully married, Herodias, as she had requested. She requested for the head of John because of John’s rebuke over her wrongful marriage to Antipas, the brother of his husband, Philip. This Herod heard about the ministry of Jesus because he was the ruler of Galilee. According to Luke, Herod heard about all that was going on. The question then is what exactly did he hear and how did he hear?

It is without doubt that Herod Antipas heard of Jesus’ miracles throughout the land as well as his growing popularity. He might have heard of what the people were saying about him, the raising of the dead, the healing of the sick, the exorcizing of demons as well as the powerful messages he was preaching. He might have also heard of the number of people who thronged to Jesus every day. It is also very possible that Herod heard more about Jesus through the ministry of the Twelve after the Master had sent them. This is more probable when one looks at the chronology of Luke’s report.

This event followed immediately after the ministry of the Twelve. This leads us to the understanding that the Good News continued to spread throughout the land through the ministry of the disciples. It is a reminder to all believers that the Gospel of Jesus should continue to spread through our ministries. It seems clearly that Herod did not hear about the Twelve but about Jesus. This implies that the disciples did not project themselves but projected Jesus the Christ. They told the people about Jesus Christ and not themselves. Subsequently news about Jesus spread throughout the land. It is important for messengers of Christ to endeavor to project Yeshua Ha’Mashaick and not themselves.

The works of Jesus so amazed the people that they mistook him for a resurrected John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the old prophets. It seems Herod believed he could be John the Baptist even though the Sadducean sect to which he believed did not believe in angels or spirits. Herod became so perplexed that he could not even reason aright. He could no longer stick to his beliefs that angels and spirits do not exist.

It seems he was hunted by his guilt conscience and eventually became afraid of what could happen if indeed John had risen from the dead. He was reminded of his sins and became disturbed by them. He was afraid of what could happen to him if indeed John had risen. If you do what is right you have nothing to be scared of, however if you do what is wrong you can never have peace at the hearing of the one you sinned against.

Believers who have the Spirit of God in them should allow the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sins and ask for forgiveness. If we continue in our sins even after the Holy Spirit has convicted us, God will soon give us over to the desires of the sinful nature (Romans 1:24). Unfortunately for Herod he did not show any signs of remorse for his previous sin against John the Baptist: He only wanted to see and be sure if he could be the one the people were talking about.

Beloved in Christ, I wish to stress the point that all this information Herod received was through the people Jesus had ministered to as well as the disciples of Jesus. Herod would never have heard about what was going on if the people around him had not informed him about Jesus.

There are so many ‘Herods’ in the world who are not aware of who Jesus is and what he stands for. Many are still naïve to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God who became man in order to save mankind from our sins. Many are also oblivious of the fact that Jesus is the most reliable friend they can have.

Yet still many do not know that Jesus is God and has the power to bless and curse anyone he so desires. There are many more things people do not know about Jesus because we have not moved to tell them. Many are perishing and many more will continue to perish as long as we refuse to tell them about Jesus.

But do you think God will save us if we leave others to perish in their sins? Why don’t we pray to God for open doors to tell others about Jesus today?

It is my firm belief that many will grow in their desire to see Jesus if we tell them about him in the same manner Herod acted when he heard about Jesus (v.9). Indeed Herod saw Jesus at the crucifixion as he had desired. This confirms the word of God which says that those who seek him shall find him.

It is my prayer that you will tell others above Jesus and am sure he will reveal himself to them. Keep spreading the Gospel; do not break the chain! Remain blessed!

THE WORD OF THE LORD!

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Pastor Nana Kobina Baisie
Teacher/Pastor at Nadrim Mission International School, Busan, Korea.