Good Morning Friends,
“Pilate asked if Jesus was a Galilean. When he
learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who
was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly
pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. He hoped to
see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave
him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing
there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and
mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.”
(Luke 23:6-11)
Herod wanted Jesus to entertainment him, to
dazzle him with the performance of some miracle. Jesus refused.
Jesus refused to even speak to Herod. He
answered none of Herod’s questions. He kept silent despite all the accusations brought
by the Jewish leaders. This wasn’t a serious trial. This wasn’t a serious
attempt on Herod’s part to seek answers and find truth. This was a sideshow –
it was entertainment.
What Jesus says and does is never about
entertainment. He would not provide Herod entertainment and He won’t provide us
with entertainment, either. Honest and sincere questions – those Jesus will
answer. Questions posed just for fun or to get the focus off of a person’s
problems – those Jesus will leave unanswered. Honest and sincere prayers –
Jesus will hear and answer. Requests for something to dazzle – Jesus remains
silent and unmoved.
The lack of interest Jesus has in entertaining
people makes me wonder what He thinks about some of what we call worship in today’s
churches. How much is honest and sincere praise – and how much is for our
pleasure? How much is real worship – and how much is about entertaining the
crowds? I don’t have answers to those questions – just questions to ponder.
After all, it’s not so much about what goes on in the churches – it’s about
what is going on in the hearts of worshipers! It’s about what goes in your
heart and my heart when we come before God with our praise.
Jesus isn’t interested in entertaining us – He
is interested in changing us!
His, by Grace, Steve
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