⁷ When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. ⁸ Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.

⁹ “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?” And he kept trying to see him.

Luke 9:7-9

Dear God, Jesus does this interesting dance with Herod in Luke’s gospel. He knows he needs to die. I probably knew John the Baptist needed to die. He didn’t make a move to save John. He doesn’t make a move to confront Herod. But one of the women supporting him financially is married to someone in Herod’s court (Joanna from Luke 8:3). Later he will egg Herod on in Luke 13:31-32, call him a fox, and dare Herod to kill him. Interestingly, Herod, like Pilate, will live in infamy throughout time. He has a legacy few get. It’s not a good legacy. He married his brother’s wife. He killed John the Baptist. He was complicit in killing Jesus. He had issues.

As I read this passage this morning, I wondered why none of the things the people thought Jesus might be was “the Messiah.” John the Baptist raised from the dead? They were alive at the same time. Elijah? Well, okay. But I guess that also goes back to what Jesus asked the disciples later in this chapter after they feed the 5,000, “Who do people say that I am?” They replied the same things the people are telling Herod. It’s Peter in Luke 9:20 that calls him the Messiah. That’s a whole different label. I wonder if Jesus wasn’t confrontational or macho enough for the people’s definition of what the Messiah would be.

Father, I guess what I’m getting from this passage this morning is that I often don’t know the right thing to do. I don’t know if I should be confrontational in one situation. I don’t know if I should be nurturing and merciful in another. I don’t know if I should help and intervene or let someone struggle. I don’t know if I should hire this person or that person. I don’t know if I should ask this person or that person for money. It’s quite amazing, actually, how much ignorance I have as I make my way through the day. So for the people I encounter today. The people who are on my heart as I sit and pray right now. The family members who are struggling. The family members needing healing. The friends needing the same. The families our agency serves. The leaders of our community and nation. The leaders of the world. I simply pray that your kingdom will come and your will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Use me however you will, and keep me from accidentally getting in your way.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen