When Herod saw Jesus, he was very happy. He had heard all about him and had wanted to meet him for a long time. Herod wanted to see a miracle, so he was hoping that Jesus would do one.
Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God were heard across the social barriers. The miracles were drawing people from all stations to Him. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to him at night, acknowledging him to be a teacher and miracle doer sent by God (John 3:2).
The blind beggar Bartimaeus recognized the voice of Jesus while he was teaching the multitude about the kingdom. Bartimaeus was told that Jesus was walking by the street, teaching the crowd (Mark 10:46-49), and he called out to Jesus: “Jesus, son of David, please help me!” Call Him, friend, whatever situation you are going through. Jesus stopped to attend to Bartimaeus’ cry!
There are several kings who are addressed as Herod in the New Testament. The verse of the day tells us about Herod Antipas, who ruled in Galilee. The son of Herod the Great was completely different from his father, who had ordered the slaughter of Bethlehem’s baby boys (Matthew 2), and “he was very happy,” and heard all about Jesus, and wanted to meet him for a long time!
Jesus’ ministry grew more and more because no one can stop the Good News from spreading! In our world, we also have many “Herods” who have heard about Jesus. We are the ones to carry Jesus in us and demonstrate boldly to the people whose hearts are yearning to meet Jesus in us! The same spirit was in John the Baptist when he told the truth without fear to Herod to stop the sin of marrying Herodias, the wife of his brother!
We are the carriers of Good News to the world that is missing our Lord Jesus! “Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost,” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Keep sharing and fulfill the mission of God to everyone across your circle of influence. You may be surprised how gladly they will respond! Represent Christ well, and people will embrace Christ in you!
By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa
