“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.”
Through the past while we have been looking at biblical Encounters with Jesus. Last month we looked at the wonderful conversion of Saul – that Encounter shaped the course of Christianity. During the month of March ending with Easter, we will look at three Encounters with Jesus that his enemies experienced and what they did with those Encounters.
Through the past while we have been looking at biblical Encounters with Jesus. Last month we looked at the wonderful conversion of Saul – that Encounter shaped the course of Christianity. During the month of March ending with Easter, we will look at three Encounters with Jesus that his enemies experienced and what they did with those Encounters. We meet all three in Luke 3:1,2: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.”
Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great – he was a wicked man who was much hated. He was known for heaping taxes upon the people to build cities like Sepphoris and ten years later, Tiberius, which was his capital.
You probably remember the story of how he divorced his wife and stole his brother’s wife Herodias from him. When John the Baptist spoke out against this marriage, Herodias was filled with revenge and John’s life was forfeit. I took the above photo at the ancient theatre of Herod Antipas just outside Tiberius, Israel. Perhaps it was here that John was beheaded.
Herod actually felt guilty for this murder and like Lady Macbeth, was haunted by it. When he heard of Jesus’ ministry, he said – ‘this is John raised from the dead!’ (Matthew 14:2).
Here was a man given to pleasure and riches, dominated by a revengeful second wife – lackey to Rome and hated by the people. Now came Jesus with power to teach and work miracles in his own jurisdiction of Galilee. I believe he was mesmerized and afraid.
As a part Jew, he went to Jerusalem for the Passover when Jesus was being tried by Pilate. When Pilate heard that Jesus was from Herod’s area, he sent the Lord to him. Up to this point, despite living in Capernaum only a few miles from Herod, Jesus had not spoken to him. This was Herod’s chance to speak with Jesus and have Him perform some kind of trick or miracle – but Jesus was silent. Seeing that Jesus was actually in charge here instead of him brought fear and loathing mixed. That day he found a kindred spirit in Pilate and they became friends.
Jesus doesn’t jump to our tune. He calls us to acknowledge our sin and come as a penitent for His free forgiveness. Herod refused this – he came so close to Jesus in Encounter, yet he was so far away. During this preparation for Easter, let’s allow the Lord Jesus to set the agenda. Let’s own up to our fresh need for Him, so that, unlike Herod, we will meet with the Lord and come away changed.
Pastor Leon Throness
