History has a way of repeating

Luke 9:7-9

Have you heard someone say history has a way of repeating itself, and humans seem to learn little from it?  Can you imagine a culture that has no understanding of its history, but knows everything there is to know about some movie star, rock star, or country singer, but cannot tell you anything about current affairs, government, or have any understanding of the price that has been paid for freedom, and the reason for it and the ones who paid the price.  Now I’m referring to spiritual matters and the lack of understanding of our history and current affairs is almost a guarantee of repeating history.

In Luke 9:7-8, we have this account: “Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.”  Jesus, this new Rabbi, is making an impact on the people of Judea and Herod is perplexed, because it is reported by some that John had been raised from the dead.  If you are asking why would that bother Herod the Tetrarch who ruled under the authority of Caesar Augustus after the death of his father Herod the Great in four B.C. over Galilee and Perea as a client state of the Roman Empire, it is a very good question?

History of John the Baptist is still fresh in the minds of the people but it would seem much more in the mind of Herod, who has no doubt that he has killed a prophet of God, a righteous man.  I’m not sure you can forget such a man, so when the reports began to come to him about Jesus, Herod was sure it was John the Baptist whom he had beheaded, if you have any doubt read Mark 6:16, “But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”  Mark’s gospel gives us a very clear picture of the relationship Herod had with John the Baptist, looking at Mark 6:19-20, “And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.” 

My goal is not to offend anyone, but a great example in 2015 is Billy Graham being invited to the White House and confronting the President on his support of marriage between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, or the killing of the unborn children, and being invited back over and over on the same subject, I have no doubt the current President would be greatly perplexed, in fact it is not going to happen for one reason, the current President does not want any opinion other than his own.

Herod the foolish, wanted an audience with the one he feared, John and it was offered to him by a Roman leader named Pilate, who had animosity toward Herod, and when Pilate heard Jesus was a Galilean he sent Him to Herod.  Dr. Luke gives this account in the 23rd chapter, verses 8-9, “When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.”

Herod the foolish would not get the show he hoped for, God had sent John to confront him of sin and so that day in front of Jesus it was too late for a foolish man who only wanted to be entertained, and had no desire for truth, and it’s sad, for he was in the presence of Truth.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice