Exceedingly Glad

5 hours ago
3 min read

Having completed one walk and talk with Jesus, we embark upon a completely new and different one. When we began this week, we were told that these were going to be unpredictable. If you were like me, you would never have thought to have such a walk and talk with Jesus, concerning His Hands being tied to work in His own hometown.

Our next two-day walk and talk is even more mesmerizing. This was quite an eye-opener for me and I believe that it will be the same for many of you as well.

This experience is entitled, ‘Exceedingly Glad’. The phrase, exceedingly glad, will be our focus, as it brings us to open our eyes and ears to realities which we so often miss in our emotional frenzies. The term, exceedingly glad, always brings smiles to our faces, lightness to our spirits, joy to our hearts, and a sort of childlike excitement which is not always visible.

You and I know of times when we were exceedingly glad about something or someone. We were not just glad, but super glad at that. Those were the times when, for a while at least, we were not held fast bound by burdens, cares, concerns and all the mind and hearts stresses that continually plague us. To be exceedingly glad, does good for the person whose privilege it is to share such a special experience.

We are now about to study Herod, and an experience which he had while he was in Jerusalem. It was the exact time when Jesus was brought before Pilate by Jews who were bent on having Him killed. We are standing with Jesus, as we witness it all, with the Spirit’s help.

Pilate is trying to reason with the accusing Jews, saying that the Man before him is not really guilty of death. This made the accusers of Jesus even more viciously angry, saying that, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. Luke 23: 5b. When Pilate hears the name Galilee, he asks whether or not the Man before him is a Galilean. Straightaway, realising that Jesus belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, sent Him to Herod, who happened to be visiting. Then we read this.

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Luke 23: 8.

Here is where we will camp out as we are brought to face some heart-stirring and mind-sifting facts. I am sure, like me, many of you will want to know the truth about yourself and Jesus, as spotlights are zeroed in on Herod. We are looking at Herod as an ordinary person like you and me, who has heard about the Man called Jesus, and now has an opportunity to see Him.

You, me and many others, have been given the opportunity to see Jesus in His Word, for He is the Living Word. When we see the Living Word, however it is presented to us, we too experience exceeding gladness, happiness, joy and more. Three powerfully pertinent questions are asked and answered concerning Herod. The same questions are asked of us and we deeply, earnestly and sincerely seek the Holy Spirit, to grant us honesty in all parts.