***
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
This story does not end well for King Herod.
He’s already made a series of horrible choices, including the beheading of John the Baptist, a decision he made while he was drunk at a party.
But we’ve captured Herod at an interesting point in his spiritual journey; he’s still “perplexed” – haunted – by John.
Even after John’s death, the Gospel tells us, “Herod kept trying to see him.” Herod enjoyed listening to John, and was intrigued by his message of repentance and the coming of God’s kingdom.
***
Herod represents where some in our world are at today in their spiritual journey.
Thankfully, few are as deranged as he was. But many are “perplexed” by the Gospel message; they’re interested, but undecided.
Faith can seem risky; difficult; life-changing.
Just consider the ramifications faith would’ve brought into Herod’s life. For starters, he would have had to stop living with his brother’s wife and repent for the murder of an innocent man!
Then he’d have to learn the path of surrender, inching himself closer to the heart of God, day after day, as we all must.
***
Like John the Baptist, how do we encourage the “Herods,” the seekers, of this world? And, like John, how has my own life changed because of faith?
***
May we be emboldened by the life and ministry of John the Baptist, who was never afraid to speak the truth with love, even at great personal cost.
It’s just what Christians do.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Doubter’s Parish, WordPress (2) Herod the Great, History Skills (3) The Americanization of Religion, NYTimes