Right idea… wrong guy.

Herod sometimes gets a bad rap.  I think it was because he was very politically correct and, at times, lacked the backbone to stand on his own, lest he offend someone.

But I have to give credit where credit is due.  Herod was more in tune with what was going on than most of the Jewish religious rulers.

We know that Herod made the trip to Jerusalem for Passover since he was in town for Jesus’ crucifixion.   So he was showing some signs of both understanding what was required, as well as what would please people. 

And, apparently he had done some reading.

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.” Matthew 14:1-2

Why would this be the obvious conclusion?  Well, it wouldn’t.  Unless, that is, you had read the scripture, how that the Messiah would be risen from the dead and how mighty works would show in Him.

You see, Herod has the right idea.  He knew that a Messiah was coming, and what the scriptures said of Him.  Remember, it wasn’t too far back in the family tree that another Herod tried to kill Jesus at his birth.

He was afraid of doing anything to John the Baptist because of the potential that John was the Messiah.  We can imagine the guilt he felt after beheading him. 

Herod had the right idea… just the wrong guy.  He thought that John was Jesus… but if he was thinking that John was the Messiah… and that Jesus was John… was he thinking that Jesus was the Messiah?  Hmmm.  I’ll have to think about that.  But in the meantime think about this…

If Herod had this understanding of the timing of, the works done by, and the rising of the Messiah from the dead… isn’t it safe to say that there may have been others as well?

Don’t believe anyone who says that no Jews thought that Jesus was the Messiah when He came.  Herod did.  Oh, and by the way… so did all of the thousands of Jews that believed and were added to the church daily.

It’s good to know that we have both the right idea, and the right Guy.

Jesus… who IS risen from the dead.

SDG