Luke 23:8-12
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall that Jesus stood trial before Pilate, the Roman Governor, and now has been sent to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch. Then read Luke 23:8-12 noting anything that stands out.
While Pilate was the governor of all of Judea, Herod was a minor ruler who oversaw four regions within Judea – including Galilee. This is the same Herod who imprisoned John the Baptist and had regular audiences with John before he finally had him beheaded.
Mark tells us that Herod respected John, and though he found John’s message disturbing, he “liked to listen to him (Mark 6:20).” Apparently Herod thinks that Jesus might likewise entertain him, but Jesus refuses to engage.
Fascination with Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. Herod is an extreme example, but anyone who remains unchanged in thinking and action after being with Jesus is not his follower. Jesus is not a neutral presence or a curiosity; he is God.
Stop to become still and recognize the presence of Jesus with you now. How has Jesus influenced your thinking and actions over the past few weeks? A good test for this is to identify and name an area of your life that Jesus has been speaking to you about recently.
Talk openly with Jesus about this now.
Read Luke 23:8-12 again.
Herod is so triggered by Jesus’ refusal to entertain his questions that he joins his soldiers in mocking and ridiculing him. But even Herod can’t make a definitive decision about the charges the religious leaders are shouting. Rather than pronounce Jesus guilty, Herod passes Jesus back off to Pilate. And the two cowardly authorities form a bond over their shared participation in the injustice.
Take some time to meditate on Peter’s words below about Jesus:
“He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.” – 1 Peter 2:22-23
Now get still again and notice what Jesus wants you to hear today.
Is there something Jesus is asking you to do?
How will you respond?
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