Exceeding Gladness In Jesus

We concluded yesterday with these questions.

• Why was Herod exceedingly glad?

• What was this exceeding gladness about?

• Where was this exceeding gladness taking him?

Here is our special text. 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. 

Why was Herod exceedingly glad? 

This is what the text states. For he had desired for a long time to see Him. Note that this was not just a desire, but a longstanding desire to see Jesus. When you have a long-time desire to see someone, certain things are aired about you, whether you know it or not. Whoever the person is that I am longing to see, tells others that I have some sort of admiration or attraction for that person. It also clearly indicates that my hearing about the person or even from that person directly, be it daily, does not satisfy my desire to see that person.

Are you carrying within you, an unfading desire to see someone? Is your desire alive, healthy and well, as Herod’s was? Here is the question. For whom do you have a deep yearning and desire to see right now? Is it your spouse, your child, your parent, your friend, your hero, or some other person? Herod is no friend of Jesus, yet here it is, on his holiday, as it were, he is excited, because his long-term desire is about to be realised. He will see Jesus. Is your long term desire, to see Jesus, before anyone else? Holy Spirit employ us still.  

What was this exceeding gladness about?

The text duly informs us that Herod’s exceeding joy was because he had heard many things about Him. Capture it all, or as much as your faith will allow you.   It is because of all that he had heard about Jesus. But we become even more curious, for there it is, the high ruler in his province, has not just heard about the Man from Galilee, but he has heard many things about Him. What is this great ruler hearing? One thing we are assured of is that Herod has been told, not a few things, or some things, but many things. Jesus we know, is a Man of many things – many works, many friendships, many victories, many attractions and more – so that Herod certainly will have no one else in his jurisdiction like this Galilean.

Are you hearing many things about Jesus? Here is the question. What many things are you hearing today about Jesus? Get this straight. What Herod was hearing about Jesus, was not of someone who lived in the past and did all those things of which he was hearing. No! It was of someone present, still doing all that he was hearing about. What many things are you hearing about Jesus? Are you hearing about what He did in the past, or are you hearing about what He is doing in the present? Holy Spirit, empower us please. 

Where was this exceeding gladness taking him?

It has been adequately and clearly stated in the text. He hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Herod did not only want to see the Galilean, but his expressed excitement was to witness a miracle of Jesus, first-hand. This gives reliable information about what Herod heard. It is obvious the many things he heard had to deal with the miraculous wonders which Jesus performed wherever He went. He is hoping to see Jesus perform a miracle. Check this. Herod has no specific miracle in mind. He does not care what Jesus does, for as far as he is concerned, a miracle is a miracle. Whatever Jesus does is marvellous and he just wants to see one miracle done. He does not care to see two and three. He believes what he has heard. He only wants to see one, out of sheer curiosity, not disbelief. Are you hoping to see Jesus perform some miraculous work in your presence? Is it because of curiosity or disbelief?

This entire camp out would have left many of us with a multiple of thoughts. Some will be confused. Others may become disturbed and question their authenticity as a believer. Still others may find it too deep a question, and just brush it off and move on.

We know that Jesus did many miracles, as that was His business, His daily work. People saw Jesus and saw miracle. They heard Jesus and heard miracle. They received Jesus and received miracle. They walked and talked with Jesus and witnessed miracle.  

How realistic is this for us in our time? What I mean is this. Do we really believe that we can see Jesus in our day and time, when He is no longer flesh, but Spirit? Do we know exceeding gladness to have Jesus in our midst, because we will see Him at work? Are we expecting to see and hear something of what we have heard about Jesus, His mighty miraculous works?

Lord, not for curiosity sake, but because we believe in who You are and all that we have heard about You, we desire to see You in present action. Amen!