Luke 9:7-9

Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,

and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,

“John has been raised from the dead;”

others were saying, “Elijah has appeared;”

still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”

But Herod said, “John I beheaded.

Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”

And he kept trying to see him.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I place my life in your hands. Guide my steps and open my heart to your wisdom. Help me to recognize your presence in my life and to understand the path you have prepared for me. May I seek your will above my own and follow wherever you lead.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Herod Hears About Jesus: Virtually all of Jesus’ ministry up to this point has taken place in Galilee (Luke 4:14), the territory ruled by Herod Antipas. Luke first introduced Herod when he described the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry (Luke 3:1). Now Herod hears “about all that was happening.” Reports about Jesus have spread throughout the region: he proclaims the kingdom of God, heals the sick, forgives sins, raises the dead, and now sends his apostles to proclaim the kingdom and heal the afflicted (Luke 4:14; 5:15; 7:17; 9:1-6). Herod, as ruler of Galilee, naturally wants to know what is happening in his territory. Yet his concern is fundamentally different from that of Jesus. Jesus proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God; Herod is concerned with preserving his own position and authority. He therefore hears about Jesus primarily as a ruler might hear about a potentially significant or threatening figure: Who is this man, and what does his growing influence mean for my kingdom? Herod has heard about Jesus, but hearing about Jesus is not the same as believing in him. We, too, can hear the Gospel, know the stories of Jesus, and even speak about him without allowing the truth about him to transform our lives.

2. Who Then Is This? Herod is perplexed because the reports about Jesus do not fit easily into any category he understands. Some say that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. Others see in Jesus the return of Elijah, whose coming was associated with the fulfillment of God’s promises (Malachi 3:23). Still others believe that one of the ancient prophets has arisen. These possibilities point toward Israel's expectation that God would once again send his prophet to his people, including the prophet like Moses whom God promised to raise up (Deuteronomy 18:15). Herod, however, has already beheaded John. He therefore asks the question that lies beneath all the speculation: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” Luke will soon give his readers the answer through Peter. After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus will ask his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter will respond, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). The question is not merely about Jesus’ identity as a teacher, prophet, or miracle worker. It is the question of his entire Gospel. Who is the one who forgives sins, commands the wind and the waves, heals the sick, raises the dead, and proclaims the coming of God’s kingdom? He is the Christ of God, the Anointed One, the promised Savior and King. He is the Son of God who has come to accomplish the Father’s saving plan.

3. Herod Wants to See Jesus: Luke concludes, “And he kept trying to see him.” At first glance, this sounds promising. Perhaps Herod sincerely wants to discover who Jesus is. Yet Luke's Gospel will reveal that Herod’s curiosity never becomes faith. When Herod finally encounters Jesus during his trial, he is delighted because he has long wanted to see him and hopes that Jesus will perform a sign (Luke 23:8). Herod wants to see what Jesus can do, but he does not want to submit himself to the truth of who Jesus is. When Jesus refuses to perform a miracle for him, Herod mocks him and sends him back to Pilate (Luke 23:9-11). Herod therefore provides a warning for anyone curious about Jesus without being willing to follow him. We can be interested in Jesus without believing in him. We can admire his teaching without obeying it. We can seek his blessings without seeking his will. We can even want to “see” him without allowing him to become Lord of our lives. The question Herod asks is ultimately directed to every reader of Luke’s Gospel: “Who then is this?” Jesus himself will soon put the question directly to his disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20). This is the most important question we will ever answer. Jesus is not merely another prophet, teacher, or religious figure. He is the Christ of God, our Lord and Savior. To know who Jesus is is to discover who he is for us – and therefore how we are called to live.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I desire to know you more deeply and to follow you more faithfully. You are not merely a teacher or prophet, but the Christ of God, my Lord and Savior. Open my heart to know you, strengthen my faith in you, and help me place every part of my life under your loving rule.

Living the Word of God: Herod was curious about Jesus, but his curiosity never became faith or discipleship. Jesus asks each of us the same question he asked his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” What does my daily life reveal about who I believe Jesus is? Is there any area of my life in which I admire or acknowledge Jesus but resist allowing him to be Lord? What concrete step can I take today to place Christ more fully at the center of my life and my family?