June 17, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Jesus Before Herod

Luke 23:6  When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7  And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8  And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9  Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11  And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12  And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

This man Herod being a ruler over Galilee. His title was Herod the Tetrarch meaning ruler over a quarter, a quarter of the realm of Rome.

He was a vicious murderous man. He was the one who had his own daughter dance before him during a special dinner. Being please with the erotic dance he had John the Baptist’s head removed to please her. He was despicable to say the least.

Herod was all about the sensational; He wanted to see some miracle done by Jesus.

Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.

Mark 6:14  And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 15  Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16  But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

He died a sensational death as well. Acts 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Jesus was warned about Herod by certain pharisees.

Luke 13:31  The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. ( “I shall be perfected” means Jesus would be raised from the dead.)

Let me remind you, each time Jesus went before a ruler or judge he was scourged, whipped with a cat of nine tails, a whip with nine strands interwoven with bone, metal and glass fragments. Each stroke of the whip tore his flesh.

He had already gone before Pilot and was now being sent to Herod. Herod examined him the same way. Then Jesus was a given a gorgeous robe.

Luke 23:9  Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11  And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

Gorgeous is the greek word which means bright white. Jesus was given a white robe. White indicates purity. Little did Herod know, he was giving Jesus a robe of white, for Jesus was pure. Herod thought he was mocking Jesus when it fact he was revealing the purity of our Lord.

My friend, many people seek the sensational and the unusual when it comes to God. They want to see God or some miracle performed by God or they will not believe. They say: “I don’t believe in anything I can’t see.” (Yet, they believe in microwaves, electricity, radios waves, all of which they cannot see.) or “Why does God allow this to happen?” or “Why doesn’t God help me or do something for me?”

All are excuses not to believe in Jesus, when in reality Jesus was perfected and is alive today by many infallible proofs. What more of a miracle do you need?

Would you believe or would you be like Herod?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook