March 30
“When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other,” Luke 23:6-12.
When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, and that Jesus really belonged under Herod’s jurisdiction, he felt that he had a way out. He would not have to make a decision. He could pass the buck, as we say, to Herod. Herod was exceedingly glad when he saw Jesus. For a long time, he had desired to see Jesus. Herod had heard many things about Jesus, and he hoped to see Him perform a miracle. Herod wanted Jesus to entertain him. Motivated by curiosity, Herod wanted Jesus to play the role of a magician or a comedian!
Sometimes today we also feel that people come to church to be entertained. They really do not want to know that Jesus is the Son of God and their only Savior. They are not interested in hearing the message about their sins and the message of God’s love that moved Him to send His only begotten Son to be the Savior of all people. The apostle John wrote about God’s love in His first Epistle: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1.
We are not told what questions Herod directed to Jesus. Certainly, Herod did not want to hear anything about sin and the Savior! Had he wanted to know something about who Jesus was and why He had come into the world, Jesus certainly would have given him a wonderful response. But what are we told in Scripture? “He questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing!”
Jesus’ silence in the court of Herod reminds us of what He said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces,” Matthew 7:6. Angered by Jesus’ silence, Herod and his men of war mocked and made fun of Jesus, and then sent Him back to Pilate.
That day, Herod and Pilate became friends; prior to that time, they were enemies. What their problem was, we are not told in Scripture. On one thing they could agree, as Pilate reported to the Jews: “I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him,” Luke 23:14-15. Both of those heathen rulers declared that Jesus did not deserve to die. Then why did He die? He had taken upon Himself your sins and mine, and the sins of all people. For our sins, He paid the price to redeem us. On Calvary’s cross, He cried out, “It is finished!” John 19:30. The requirement for our salvation was complete! His precious blood washed our sins away! We are invited to believe and trust in Jesus as the Son of God and as the Son of Man, our Savior. We have His promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31.
A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of all men bearing;
And laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing!
Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint,
That spotless life to offer; Bears shame, and stripes, and wounds, and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith, “Willing all this I suffer.” Amen.