“8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.” Luke 23.8-12
The verse in Matthew 7:6—“do not give your pearls to swine”—is applicable here. Jesus was not about to reveal who He was, what He was doing, or God’s plan of redemption to unholy, unrighteous sinners. Both Pilate and Herod could be cast into this category. They did not have the things of God in mind, but evil and unrighteousness.
Therefore, when asked to explain Himself, Jesus had no reason—and certainly no reward—in telling them what He was doing. Jesus knew fully. It is not as though He had been kept in the dark about the Father’s plan of redemption from the beginning of time. Since Adam and Eve sinned, the Holy Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) was alive and active, seeking to restore creation.
God was not willing to force that restoration—meaning He did not want to force people to repent or love Him. He gave, and still gives, the freedom for all of us to turn and follow His way. The interactions between Jesus and these two well-known, powerful leaders formed an alliance of sorts: good versus evil; God’s way and mission versus the way of the world, the enemy, the devil.
After Herod—who had wanted to meet Him and learn about Him—asked Jesus many questions and Jesus refused, Herod and his soldiers “ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe…”
God’s answer was Jesus. He did not need to give the men of worldly power any answers. They were so close to the Messiah yet chose evil over righteousness. Jesus’ life was an answer in itself. It spoke not only of God’s love and power but of the fulfillment of Scripture across thousands of years.
Today we are given the ability to love and follow Christ. We are able to experience and discover His love through Jesus. Won’t you come to Him this day? Reject the pride, evil, and self-desires of this world—strive to be holy. Put your faith in Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.
“O Lord God, thank You for Your sacrifice; thank You for the cross. Come now, Holy Lord, and move among us. Let us see Your glory, experience Your grace, and know Your love. I praise You, Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are good and Your love endures forever.” Amen.