Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him, and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some that John was risen from the dead. Luke 9:7
A little preacher and his little congregation had faithfully maintained a Gospel witness in the region, despite opposition from the local governor. The preacher worked hard to spread the Word, but the governor disliked the preacher’s public appearances at market and street corners, and did all he could to interrupt and disturb the preacher’s activities. He was especially irked by the preacher’s frequent references to the governor’s immoral lifestyle. When he could stand it no longer, the governor directed a group of his servants to go at night and burn down the preacher’s home and his little chapel. Although he made sure the crime could not be traced back to himself, the governor faced a public backlash, because everybody knew who was responsible. Word reached the prime minister, who dispatched soldiers to rebuild the preacher’s house and chapel. He also convinced a friend of his, a well known evangelist, to go to the area and preach the Gospel. Many souls were saved and the little preacher’s hopes for a great revival were realized. It was pretty much a replay of the account of Herod’s persecution of John Baptist.
Herod actually had regretted beheading John, although he probably appreciated not being taken to task over his adulterous behaviour. He thought that book was closed and John’s work would fizzle. Now, he is hearing reports of One Who was performing great miracles, something that John never did, and Who was drawing even larger crowds than John. Herod dismissed the stories about John being raised from the dead. He knew better. But something was wrong if people were saying that; he would have to make sure that got straightened out. Atheists today don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and they do everything they can to make sure everybody else realizes how ridiculous it is to believe that anybody could rise from the dead. To believers, the resurrection is critical to our faith, the very cornerstone of all of our hope. We know it is true and we rejoice in its truth. Modern day Herods are no match for what the Holy Spirit has revealed to us.
We read that Herod was perplexed. He was hearing things that made no sense to him. He wanted answers, but answers were not coming. In his case, those answers never did come, even when he had an opportunity to meet the Lord Jesus just prior to His crucifixion. Herod had rejected John’s message, the only message that would bring that of the Lord Jesus into relevance. Herod is still perplexed, just as are all of those who reject God’s message. Only for the believer is the confusion and disappointment gone forever.
Herod’s perplexity stands as a warning to those who ignore God’s warnings and as a comfort to those who heed the Holy Spirit. – Jim MacIntosh