Herod the Seeker

Considering the character of Herod Antipas, we see that he listened to John, and was greatly perplexed, but heard him gladly (Mark 6:20). Herod was a believer in miracles and in prophets and he believed that John was a prophet (Mark 6:16, 20). Later, Luke tells us, when Jesus is on trial before Pilate, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod who was in Jerusalem at the time, and Herod is very interested in seeing Jesus because he has heard about Jesus’ miracles and is curious to see one himself (Luke 23:8). Herod is what some people today might call “a seeker”.

Herod is perplexed when he listens to John, but he has a deep interest in religious ideas and thoughts. He is eager to hear John teach. He seems to have a thirst to learn more. However, this same Herod shows no signs of being changed by the things he’s hearing or learning. He's the sort of man that James 1:22-25 describes as a hearer of the word only and not a doer.

Mattia Preti: St John the Baptist before Herod

There are many people like Herod in the church today. There’s a kind of person whose spiritual life is a wreck, but fills the hole in his or her life by eagerly reading all sorts of biblical and theological books, discovering ever more niche theological positions, ever finer distinctions, ever more esoteric topics to ponder. But none of this does anything to help them actually live as Christians.

It’s possible for someone to be intrigued as Herod was by religious ideas and teachings but still to be far from the kingdom of heaven. This is not an indictment of theology, or the study of theology, or systematics, because all these things are good and important to the church. However, the point is that the Scriptures are here to tell you how to be right with God and how to glorify Him. And the essence of how we, as Christians, are to live before God boils down to the two great commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31).

How are you doing at loving God? Are you thankful for the situation He has placed you in? Even with all your troubles and cares? Can you rest in His goodness to you? Do you have the peace of Christ in your heart such that you can say with Job, “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him?” (Job 13:15) Can you thank God for your home, your church, your extended family? Can you thank God for your wife or husband, or for your lack thereof? Can you thank God for your children? Children, can you thank God that He has given you the parents you have? If you can’t do these things. If you can’t love God for who He is and for His providential care over your life, then one more commentary won’t fix it. One more systematic theology book won’t silence the Holy Spirit pricking your conscience.

How are you doing at loving your neighbor? Again, can you look at your family and love them, right now? Can you look around you at your church family, and honestly say, “I love them.” Despite any differences of opinion on schooling, or food, or medical issues, or politics? If you can’t, then one more Christian podcast won’t  fix it. Husbands if you’re not loving your wives as Christ loves the church, wives if you’re not honoring and submitting to your husbands, children if you’re not obeying your parents, then it doesn’t matter how gladly you hear religious talk. You will still be perplexed like Herod if you don’t do the one thing that is needful, the one thing Herod didn’t do. REPENT!

The gospel is so simple a little child can understand it. There’s not much you need to know to be a faithful godly Christian. Repent, and believe in Christ! Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself, and trust wholly in the work of Jesus on your behalf for your salvation from sin.