“But he answered him nothing.” Luke 23:9
No, this is not Jesus standing before Pilate. For even before the Governor, one Gospel tells us: “Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Quoting Matthew 27:13-14. (Yet, if you recall, later Jesus did talk to Pilate! As in John 18:37 … “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus ANSWERED, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
Our Text this morning, going back to Luke 23:9, records Jesus standing before King Herod, when He deliberately said NOTHING!
Now here’s how that happened … “When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 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. 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. Then he questioned with him in many words; BUT HE ANSWERED HIM NOTHING.” Luke 23:6-9, the background, context.
Herod, far as I can tell, is the only man who every lived to whom Jesus deliberately refused to speak!
Wow!
I mean … not a word!
Never!
Maybe because this is the Herod who killed John the Baptist! (Had he sinned away his Day of Grace?”)
Herod is also the only man Jesus ever called a “fox!” (Luke 13:31-32 … “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 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.) A sneaky, deceptive predator! A killer!
My “point” this morning?
If you are in communion with God, your prayers being heard from Him on High … PRAISE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART!
If Jesus “walks with you and talks with you” day by day … count your blessings!
Call me crazy if you wise, but I really do feel that Jesus (through the Holy Spirit, silently not vocally) talks with me time and time again!
In fact, while I have been writing this little Meditation!
And all the riches at Herod’s command are NOTHINIG when compared to fellowship with the darling Son of God!
Now, as you pursue your daily activities and find the Lord Jesus leading/directing you … count your blessings! “Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth …”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
King Saul of old … equally as deep in rebellion and sin as King Herod … “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD ANSWERED HIM NOT, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” 1 Samuel 28:6, although God had often spoken to Saul earlier in his life. What a sad ending!
Never lose that sweet Fellowship with Jesus, folks!
Wow!
.