Funny Looking Bear
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.
…Luke 23:8
The day came and hunting season arrived. All geared up, some friends told us of their day they had so long waited for. Days had been filled with dreams of hunting a bear, a trophy to show his friends and family. Excitement filled the air, when even it seemed to freeze in space as the cold of winter was settling in. Time went by, hours flew, but there were no bears to be seen. The day was spent but all of a sudden out of the corner of our friend’s eye, something moved. Carefully checking to see if it wasn’t one of his buddies, he aimed and shot. He had a trophy to carry home after all.
His wife looking out the front window sees their arrival. Imagining a tale and a half, she made her way to the back door to be the first to congratulate him. The door opened and out came a laugh she could not contain. The trophy he was awarded from the full day of hunting had feathers. Yes, he went bear hunting only to come home holding a turkey. He had hoped to stop a bear in his tracks, but to no avail. Instead, he had a nice turkey to offer for a future festive dinner.
Another hunt was on, where the man came back empty handed. Christ’s death was inevitable, but the scene leading up to it is quite interesting to ponder. Jesus told Pilate who He was. Herod on the other hand, passing through Jerusalem
What this “tetrarch of Galilee ” expected, he didn’t get (3:1). He assumed Jesus would do all these things if he could, to save His skin. If no miracle is performed, no loss; to him this would just confirm his doubts about Jesus.
Interesting, Herod’s motives were to see miracles performed maybe to see how he himself could benefit from them. After all, he would be able to have Christ in his courts to make Herod look good; by having “this man of Galilee ” be great, he too would be considered great. Why, wouldn’t he look good? If Christ could provide food automatically just at a whisper like He calmed the sea, then the kingdom would never face hunger.
Jesus answering not, showed power under control, not weakness. The men still would not see Jesus for who He really was—the “Son of God.” His silence would seal His plight. Herod physically sees Jesus, but didn’t recognize Him to be the Son of God. What made him think seeing miracles performed would change his mind? The greatest of all miracles right before him; the cross, the darkened sky and the stone rolled away still wouldn’t do it.
This man of power went to take down the power of all powers—but came back with a mock robe left from the hunt. Herod didn’t recognize Jesus the King of Kings. He was satisfied to be left with a trophy of only an earthly crown. Just like our friend that went hunting, he too hoped for one thing and would bear another.
