“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, NKJV).
“Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come
down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence—As fire
burns brushwood, As fire causes water to boil—To make Your name
known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your
presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-2, NKJV)
“The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his
teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming”
(Psalm 37:12-13, NKJV).
The Bible is generally very brief in the details it includes in its message. Its brevity is actually an indication that it is not of human origin. Imagine how many words it would take you to describe the creation of the universe? Moses did so in a handful. God does not indulge our insatiable curiosity. But some details are given in the gospels and carry powerful lessons. Luke records that, during the night trial of Jesus, Pilate sent Him to Herod, hoping to rid himself of the problem.
We read that Herod was glad to see Jesus, and so we begin to hope. But hope is wasted on Herod, for he does not want to hear what Jesus has to say. Herod wants a miracle, a trick, a show, a wonder to behold and be amazed with his servants and advisors. He was interested in Jesus, the performer, not the Savior. This was often the case with some Jews of the day. They loved being amazed, and they loved to eat free bread and fish. Jesus rebuked such spiritual dullness and emptiness during His ministry, but He had no words for Herod. Herod did not want to hear them
Many similar things have happened. The story is told of a politician who would stand on the
steps of parliament and say, “If there is a god, let him strike me with lightning in the next 15
seconds.” Mercifully, God did not answer His prayer.
God does not entertain men nor indulge His creation. He does not react to mankind’s challenges to His power, authority, or even His
existence; He cannot be goaded into action by us. He is not driven by us; He is the first cause. God acts according to His will.
Mercifully and full of love, in that will, He created a plan before the foundation of the world to save His rebellious, arrogant creation. In love, He carried that plan out; at just the right time, His Son came, born of a woman and born under the law. And He brought salvation to all who will answer His invitation, humble themselves, and submit to Him and His Lordship.
I have often felt like Isaiah felt in the passage above. Oh, that You would come down and stop all these mouths that blaspheme Your Name! I think that was Jonah’s attitude; he wanted to see the evil of Nineveh wiped from the earth, not saved. It was beneath the glory and dignity of His Name to save them.
But that is human thinking. And we can be thankful that God does not treat us that way, else I would long ago have been destroyed. He is patient, loving, and kind and refuses to encroach on our ability to choose life or death.
Let us not be discouraged when we see things going on around us. Our God is in control,
and His will is going to be accomplished. Let us seek Him for refuge in this life and the life
to come; He has promised to preserve His people. He is faithful, and He will do it.
—John Ostic
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