Day 1"And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him". (Luke 23:8)
Scripture Reading: Luke 23
Herod was an extremely wicked man. This was the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded, and had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip of whom he was rebuked by John. So why does Luke reveal to us that this Herod was exceeding glad when he had the opportunity to see and meet Jesus? It just seems a contradiction, why would so wicked of man desire to see a perfectly righteous, holy man?
Herod longed to see Christ, not for who He really was but that he might be amused by Him and to view some miracle or wonder, but not to submit to Him, or reverence and honor him. He only looked to Jesus for what pleasure he believed he could receive but saw no personal responsibility toward him.
Herod seems to be like so many, or may I say like most people. They look upon God or Jesus as only a resource to fill their own selfish desires and needs. They do not see any personal responsibility to follow Him or accept Him as Lord. Many are glad to seek out the help of the church or God when they are in bad health or financial need or having serious problems. They are glad to call the pastor, and ask for prayer or possibly some money to help them. They seek to hear some comforting words in the death of a loved one, but personal responsibility , worship, honor, obedience? No way. Herod sought the Saviour only for vain curiosity but not with any desire to know the truth. So like mankind.
We see something fearful take place in verse nine, Jesus does not speak a word. It is a terrible thing for God to be silent, for it shows the hopelessness of man. As long as God speaks to man, even the unbeliever, there is hope, but when God does not, all hope is gone. Hosea 4:17 tells us, "Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone" What a scary thought, no hope! For when God lets man alone, there is no one else to help or to save.
When Herod did not get what he desired of Jesus, he mocks Him and sends Him back to Pilate, and from that day forth, he and Pilate who were enemies, become friends. Where Jesus is rejected, even those who disagree will join up to be against Him. Someone said this was the first ecumenical movement.