Daily Scripture: Luke 23:7-11
7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.
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Reflection Questions:
There are several “Herods” to keep straight in the Bible. This was not Herod the Great, who killed infants in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. It was a son of his—Herod Antipas, who ruled just the province of Galilee, and executed John the Baptist. Pilate tried to duck the need to decide about the Galilean Jesus by sending him to Herod Antipas.
- “He was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard…he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.” The ironic view of Herod in Jesus Christ, Superstar fits these verses well. What kind of “performance” do you want from Jesus? What happens to your faith if you don’t get it?
- Verse 11 says when Jesus gave him no answers, “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” Jesus seemed helpless, in their power. Are there people with less status than you in your school, neighborhood, or workplace? How do you treat those people: like Herod did, with ridicule and mockery, or more like Jesus treated people?
Read Rev. Russell Brown’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
Dear Jesus, this week I will read about Pilate and Herod, who treated you like a disposable peasant they could use in games of political intrigue. I will read about religious people who chose Jesus Barabbas’ violent actions over your path of healing peace and love. Speak to my heart as I read. Strengthen me more and more to see through my cultural training and assumptions, to recognize your truth. As I see, help me to choose you. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
*During Lent, the daily GPS Scriptures are the same ones used in Pastor Adam Hamilton’s book 24 Hours that Changed the World: 40 Days of Reflection. To get a copy of the book for yourself, please contact The.Well@cor.org or call (913) 544-0240
