Rev. David Holwick L Communion
First Baptist Church PERSONALITIES OF THE PASSION
Ledgewood, New Jersey Herod Antipas
April 2, 2000
Luke 23:6-12
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I. Religion quest.
A. What do you expect to get out of your religion?
B. How do you fit Jesus in your spirituality?
II. The original dysfunctional family.
A. Antipas, son of Herod the Great. Luke 3:1
1) Father very brutal.
a) Killed at least three sons and a wife.
b) Tried to kill baby Jesus.
c) As his death neared, he asked that all the prominent
people in Israel be rounded up and killed.
If the nation didn't cry at his own funeral, at least
they would cry.
2) Antipas called a Tetrarch, controlling one third of kingdom.
a) Antipas was in charge of Galilee, Jesus' home turf.
B. Married his brother's ex-wife, Herodias. Luke 3:19
1) Not allowed by Jewish law.
a) Only exception is case where brother had died.
b) Brother Philip was still alive.
1> And Herod was already married. He dumped her.
2) Rebuked by John the Baptist.
a) Locked John in prison.
b) But listened to him and considered him holy. Mark 6:20
3) Killed him, at wife's daughter's (Salome) request.
a) His step-daughter had performed at his stag party.
b) Herod didn't want to appear weak in front of friends.
III. Herod hears of Jesus.
A. Thought his enemy had come back from dead. Luke 9:7-9
1) Perhaps a touch of irony - Jesus's ministry was a
lot like John's, with big emphasis on repentance.
2) Perhaps guilt was working on him.
a) We know he was very superstitious.
B. He is curious about Jesus and wants to meet him. Luke 9:9
1) Jesus was a celebrity - everyone is talking about him.
C. He begins to think of Jesus as a threat. Luke 13:31-33
1) Wanted to kill Jesus, or at least drive him out.
a) Saw in Jesus a rival?
2) Jesus the Lion of Judah calls Herod a "fox."
IV. Herod confronts Jesus. Luke 23:6-12
A. A special episode, not in other gospels.
1) Some consider it legendary.
a) But if invented, serves no purpose.
b) Luke may have included it for Theophilus's benefit.
2) It fits in well with the politics of the time.
a) Pilate is trying to palm off a problem case.
b) Might also improve his standing with Herod after
the massacre in Galilee. Luke 13:1
c) Pilate had overstepped himself and was anxious to
appease. It worked.
B. Herod wanted to see a miracle.
1) Famous line from "Jesus Christ Superstar" -
"Prove to me that you're no fool,
walk across my swimming pool."
2) Everyone wants a miracle.
a) Popular theme of television evangelists.
b) Leads to continual search for the next big experience.
c) Has resulted in "pick-and-choose" religion.
Charles Colson makes some interesting points concerning this:
What do you call a person who believes in astrology, reincarnation,
and the possibility of communicating with the dead?
Your answer would probably be a "New Ager."
According to sociologist Wade Roof, these are just some of the
beliefs held by people who call themselves "born again
Christians."
Roof finds that many Americans understand religious faith as some
sort of emotional personal experience, which they describe as
"spiritual."
And all sorts of strange beliefs can fit under that heading.
By describing themselves as "spiritual" rather than "religious,"
these people tell us a lot.
The word "religion," you see, comes from the Latin word for
"to bind."
But boomer spirituality distrusts authority and dismisses the
importance of belonging to a particular church or doctrine.
They feel free to pick-and-choose from all the various belief
systems to create their own tailor-made religion.
Even Christian young people feel this way.
Some 25 percent of Christians interviewed in Roof's study believe
in the possibility of communicating with the dead.
A third of them believe in reincarnation and astrology; and
half say they believe in psychic powers.
Moreover, half said, "the various religions of the world are
'equally good and true.'"
We need to remind people lovingly that Christianity is more
than a spiritual experience.
It's a worldview -- a set of beliefs about the God who acted
in history.
This belief has been revealed through Scripture and transmitted
by our 2,000-year-old heritage of Western Civilization.
It is these beliefs, and not our "spiritual" feelings, that define
what it means to be a Christian -- no matter what the spirit
of the age may tell us.
#5425
3) What if Herod had seen a miracle?
a) Would he have changed his life and morality?
1> Probably not.
b) Jesus did miracles, but not for effect.
1> The only "sign" people need is the resurrection.
2> If that doesn't convince you, nothing will.
C. Herod was interested in Jesus but for the wrong reasons.
1) Jesus did not answer his questions.
2) Feel like God doesn't answer your questions?
a) Maybe he is, and you don't like answer.
b) What should we be looking for?
1> Many want "God in my pocket."
2> What we need is God in our heart.
3> Don't be a user, but a follower.
D. Herod rejects Jesus. Luke 23:11
1) Jesus did not fit his preconceived ideas.
2) He and his buddies mock Jesus.
3) Jesus will get the last laugh.
V. One thing Herod got right.
A. Herod had to admit that Jesus was innocent. Luke 23:15
1) He did not deserve death.
2) This innocent man is key to our salvation.
B. Herod fulfilled God's plan. Acts 4:27
1) God's power and will had decided beforehand it would
happen. 4:28
C. How do YOU fit into God's plan?
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SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:
#5425 "A Dangerous Compromise: Born Again Isn't What It Used To Be,"
by Charles Colson in a Breakpoint commentary, March 30, 2000.
This and 5,500 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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