Msg #2035 Herod Like Politicians

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

“At the time Herod the tetarch heard of the fame of Jesus” (Matt 14:1). There are five Herods that the Bible student reckons with; Herod the Great built the temple and killed the Bethlehem babies (Matt2:1-19), his son, Herod Archelaus reigned when Joseph brought Jesus up from Egypt (vr.22), and another son, Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist (Matt 14, Mark6, and Luke9), spread leaven (Mark8:15), was labeled “that fox” (Luke 13:32), and was cohort with Pilot in Christ's crucifixion (Luke23:6-12).

Then there was his grandson, Herod Agrippa (I) who persecuted the church, killed James, temporarily jailed Peter, and died a horrid death in Acts 12. And a great grandson Herod Agrippa II who heard the Apostle Paul and was “almost persuaded” in Acts 26. The word “Herod” is as much a title as a name and means “a hero.” These five, like many governors and mayors in our present plight, were only self-ascribed heroes, outstanding in their own minds.

Herod the tetrarch, in our text, was filled with ignorance, religious superstition (or stupor-situate), selfish immorality, and pernicious paranoia. He was driven by what people might think, and two vile wicked women (Matt 14:1-12). Such a scathing portrayal of political posturing is contrasted by our Lord Jesus Christ in the next two verses. As Jesus, in flesh, he needed to withdraw to a desert place apart, but as Christ, the divine, he was moved with compassion toward the great multitude of hungry, scattered-like sheep, followers, and he healed their sick. The stage is now set, out in the desert place, for the rest of this marvelous chapter. Today the stage is set for every christian to be Christ-like, … or carnal. Take time to read, muse, and meditate before you act, then consider the rest of the chapter.

An Essay for week #35 Aug 30, 2020

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs200830.mp3