A New York Times editorial claims that America’s views on the death penalty are changing. 35 people were put to death in 2014 which was the fewest in 20 years. And 2014 marked a nearly 40 year low in the number of new criminals placed on death row. While the method of execution may have changed, the death penalty has been around for a long, long time. As evidenced by the sales of John Grisham novels, there’s always high drama when the governor weighs pardoning a death-row inmate. Some political observers believe the state of Colorado’s 2014 elections results hinged on the two political opponents' views on the death penalty.
Today is going to be interesting for two reasons. We’re going to examine a powerful politician who ruled in one of the most powerful empires of all time and his interaction with Jesus Christ. Second, we’re going to see Jesus’ reaction to the powers that be all the while Jesus’ very life was at stake.
If you didn’t bring a Bible with you, you’ll need one today. And we’ve provided you with one if you didn’t bring it. Turn with me to two places in the book of Luke – Luke 13:31-32 and Luke 23:7-12. Pages 1110 and 1123 in the black books in front of you, there in your pews. As matter of fact, you have my permission to take that Bible home with you, if you don’t have one. It’s free for you and a gift from our church. We love God’s Word and we want you to have access to it. We’re involved in a short series looking at some of Jesus’ most curious sayings in the Gospel of Luke. Today, we witness the power of politics and the contempt of Jesus.
“At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ And he said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.’” (Luke 13:31-32)
You’ve heard and no doubt said at one time or another, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But evidently, words are more powerful than we realize. Think of it: Jesus marshaled no army and He carried no weapon. Jesus never used His miraculous powers to throw the Pharisees off the nearest cliff. Nevertheless, Jesus tallied up enemies all because of the power of words. And the threat of Jesus was so perceptible, that people’s hatred of Jesus often made enemies into allies: “The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him” (Mark 3:6).
And when threatened with His life, Jesus shows contempt to the ruler of the land. Jesus calls Him a “fox,” a derogatory name. Curiously, instead of finding a place of safety, Jesus stays put. Today, I want you to see two very different people. The Cunning of Hero and the Path of Jesus
1. The Cunning of Herod
The name Herod pops up often when you read the gospels. Indeed, there is a dynasty of “Herods” much like the Bush family is to politics in our day – George Herbert Walker Bush, George W Bush, and Jeb Bush. Herod the Great is Herod Antipas is the son of Herod the Great, a man who was married to ten women. It was Herod the Great who famously murdered all the baby boys under the age of 2 when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was his father, Herod the Great, that the magi inquired where the King of Jews was located. It was the Father, Herod the Great, that could count among his enemies the famous Cleopatra. His father had six wills - yes, count them six last will and testaments. And it was the father who ordered the murder of his wife, mother-in-law, his brother-in-law, and several of his own sons.
Herod Antipas
It’s his son that is in front of us now, Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas began to rule when he was 25 years old (from 4 B. C. to A. D. 39). His official title was tetrarch of two regions, Galilee and Peraea. And Galilee was a favorite place for Jesus to do ministry. Herod ruled about 1,600 square miles in total – just a little larger than the state of Rhode Island. It’s estimated that he governed some 330,000 people, a little less than the city of Arlington, TX. Herod Antipas built large cities in his day and its probable that Jesus’ step-father, Joseph, employed his skills as a carpenter in the construction of these big cities. Again, Jesus refers to Herod as a “fox.” Jesus calls the ruler of the land a name, a bad name. As opposed to a regal lion, Herod is nothing more than a “fox,” a weasel, a clown, and a poser. Sometime later, Jesus and Herod would stay toe-to-toe and face-to-face…
“When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.” (Luke 23:6-12)
This is the first time, as far as we know, that Jesus and Herod meet. And Herod has long been intrigued by Jesus. But Jesus has but two reactions to Herod: He calls Herod a derogatory name and silence. You see, Herod, the son, had followed in the evil ways of his father. The son had been married for nearly 20 years when he encountered his brother’s wife, Herodias. He fell in lust at first sight. It was Jesus’ cousin and good friend, John the Baptist, that had the courage to tell the ruling governor, his actions were wrong. For John’s bravery, he was imprisoned. But Herod’s lust got the better of him one more time. Probably on his birthday, his new wife’s daughter danced provocatively and got her step-father worked up in a lather. And in a matter of moments and in a state of uncontrolled lust, Herod sworn in an oath to do anything the step-daughter asked for (Matthew 14:1-12). In time, she asked for a righteous man’s life – John the Baptist’s head on a platter. No wonder Jesus called him a “fox.” This is the man whom Jesus stands in front of.
Herod has a long fascination with Jesus…
“Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.” (Luke 9:7-9)
Perhaps it was the muted, seared conscience of Herod the son, that spoke to him.
The Cunning of Herod
2. The Path of Jesus
Jesus knows His mission. Jesus is told to get out of Herod’s territory.
Jesus doesn’t belong here. We might be tempted to say, “Get out while you still can.” You would think Jesus would have fearful emotional reaction at the threat of Herod. … that Jesus would swallow hard at the thought of Herod’s terrorizing menace. Herod was aware of the large crowds following after Jesus. Historians tell us that Herod loved to see his region as peaceful as possible. And he would act quickly to eliminate any agitators to his rule. Jesus’ influence was a threat to Herod so… Herod set his eyes taking the life of Jesus.
The Plan
“Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:31-35)
Jesus is a dead man walking: “even as the Son of Man came … to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Like Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings movies, Jerusalem looms ominously. Once the path was decided – to throw the ring into Mount Doom – Frodo and Sam wouldn’t depart from the path. Jesus knows He’s on a path: “Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following…” (Luke 13:33) Marvel at His bravery: Every day Jesus lived was a day closer to His death. He has “two more days” to carry out God’s plan for Him (Luke 12:33). He’s not moving an inch. Instead, He’ll do exactly what He came to do: ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.’ (Like 13:33)
Jesus was never motivated to save His own life. Think of Satan’s temptations in the desert where Jesus was tempted to serve His own interests (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus had a plan and Jesus had to die. 700 years before Jesus arrives in Bethlehem, this is predicted of Him: “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief…” (Isaiah 53:10). Jesus will tell people to not even breathe a word of the miracles He’s performed.
Why keep Jesus’ great, miraculous deeds quiet? “And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’” (Luke 9:21-22) After Jesus died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, the disciples said this in the very first sermon in the history of the church: “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23) And during His lifetime, Jesus tells us He’s aware of this plan for His life: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34).
Jesus in Nazareth
“And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.” (Luke 4:29-30) Luke writes of Jesus complete focus on God’s will for His life: “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)
Jerusalem meant only one thing. Jesus says He’ll leave when, and only when, He’s good and ready. And when He does leave, it isn’t because He’s fearful of Herod but that He must go to Jerusalem. Herod wasn’t a threat to Jesus for Jesus knew He was on a path for His own destruction. And it wasn’t until He arrived in Jerusalem that Jesus permitted His life to be taken.
Unfinished Lives
If the truth were known, our lives are filled with degrees we’ve started and never got around to finishing. Our homes are filled with half-completed projects Not Jesus. There are projects in God’s workshop that go uncompleted. Jesus is threatened and He’ll not be deterred. He will not speed up, slow down, or swerve even a centimeter. Jesus knew when the fruit would be ripe. and the third day I finish my course.” (Luke 13:32b)It’s the same word that Jesus used later when He was dying on the cross: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)
