Nougat 31

Have you ever wanted something badly, and it suddenly falls in your lap? How did you respond? What if it is that God has answered our prayer? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Receiving the Unexpected

Herod, also known as Herod Antipas or Herod the Tetrarch, was one of the rulers responsible for the Jewish provinces under Rome. He is Not To Be Confused with Herod the Great, his father (the king reigning over Judea at the time of Y’shua’s birth). The title ‘Tetrarch’ actually means ‘ruler of 1/4’. Archelaus governed half the territory, leaving him and another brother rulership over the other half. This Herod had been rebuked by John the Baptist for infidelity and subsequently agreed to John’s imprisonment and execution.

We might recall that this Herod Antipas, according to Matthew 14, initially believed that Y’shua was a reincarnation of John the Baptist, whom he’d admired. (Remember, it was Herodias, his brother’s wife, who inveigled her daughter Salome to demand John the Baptist’s head on a platter, (see Mark 6:14-29)). It may be the reason why Herod desired to meet Y’shua. By the time he met Y’shua, it is possible that he knew the difference between Y’shua and John the Baptist. Whether this was the case or not, he desired audience with Y’shua and hoped that in the process, Y’shua would perform a miracle before him.

Now I know some of us find his desire trivial and superficial. And, for the most part, it was. But isn’t that the kind of shallowness we also extended toward Y’shua, or superstar artistes in the past? Who knows what miracle Herod anticipated? It might have been a legitimate need. Thus when his enemy Pilate sent Y’shua to him for judgement and possible sentencing, Herod Antipas was absolutely excited. He received Y’shua’s presence as a gift, and reconciled with Pilate. Yes, those were the grounds for reconciliation (see verses 11-12)!

Siblings, in our minds, and definitely in the view of His mother and disciples, it had been a wasted visit.

Or was it???

Herod didn’t free Y’shua.

Rather, Y’shua’s silence before him led to Herod and his soldiers mocking and ridiculing Y’shua.

But

YHWH’s will was done, as Herod dressed Y’shua in a robe, which soldiers later cast lots (i.e., gambled, see John 19:23) over, in order to determine who had ownership rights, fulfilling Davidic prophecy (see Psalm 22:18).

Moreover, that friendship instigated by Pilate’s ‘gift’ to Herod may be seen as proof of yet another prophecy (but by Isaiah this time), that Y’shua is the Prince of Peace. We see YHWH’s purpose being fulfilled in spite of Herod’s expectations.

The visit was a fulfillment of Herod Antipas’ yearning,

But it was also in accordance with YHWH’s will!

Herod had a chance to seek forgiveness for John’s murder. But he missed it. He didn’t see the moment for what it could have been. Herod received the unexpected, and from a personal standpoint, wasted the opportunity to seek his own salvation. But he was aligned to God’s plan and purpose for our lives. YHWH’s Salvation Plan, designed since ‘The Fall’ (see Genesis 3), was effected, and prophecy was fulfilled.

It is possible that when we receive the unexpected from YHWH, we too might waste the opportunity – in the sight of others. But if God’s will is perfected through us, more so, in us, it is not a waste. I pray discernment for us to recognize the moment and YHWH’s will when we receive the unexpected.

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May all we seek be found in Christ