Some political leaders are easy to understand because they
are open about their ambitions. Others are not, confusing people, even their
supporters. This could be a political strategy but often it is about conflicted
personalities and double-minded motivations.
Rather than the plethora of modern-day examples, I’m
looking at Herod Antipas. He ruled from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 as Tetrarch of
Galilee and Perea. During his reign, he heard about Jesus and thought it was
John the Baptist raised from the dead. This notion reveals his emotional state
after he had John put to death. John had told him he had unlawfully taken his
brother’s wife. Yet Herod was afraid of the people who thought John was a
prophet. Then he had a birthday party and that changed his mind again . . .
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:1–12)
This ruler wanted John to die, didn’t want John to die,
killed him, then was sorry that he died. He was indecisive and seemed not to care
about John, only about who he impressed or pleased.
Later, this Herod planned to kill Jesus. When Jesus heard
about it, He said, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third
day I finish my course.” (Luke 13:32) His remark shows His determination to
do what God sent Him to do, regardless of the threats from a cunning and
treacherous person. Quite the opposite person from Herod.
Herod was also ruling at the time of the crucifixion. Pilate
and he were usually at odds, but when Jesus was arrested and Pilate heard that
He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod. Herod was glad
to see Him because He wanted to see Him perform a miracle. He questioned him for
a long time but Jesus did not respond. This suggests that Herod had no interest
in justice, only in his own entertainment. His selfishness shows up over and
over.
At that point, the chief priests and the scribes stood by,
accusing Jesus. Then Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and
mocked Him also. They dressed Him in splendid clothing and sent Him back to
Pilate. And “Herod and Pilate became
friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity
with each other.” (Luke 23:7–12)
Verse 12 says much about human nature. When people are
enemies, they can be united by something they agree on, in this case, how much
they disregarded Jesus and all that He stands for. Both were willing to kill
the Son of God because He interfered with their popularity and power over the
people. Personal ambition marred their leadership skills. Personal ambition
also put Jesus on the cross.
Mine too. I’m not Herod, but the Bible says: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned — every one — to his own way; and the Lord
has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Sin is simply doing my own thing. It separates us from
God. It ruins lives. It makes idiots out of people created in the image of God.
We go our own way and get in trouble, hurting ourselves and others. Politicians
are not the only ones who are selfish and power-hungry. Sin makes us greedy for
gain and insistent on proving our way is the right way. Sin drives us from
pleasing God to pleasing people.
Of course I must deal with my own sin. Grace and faith
brought forgiveness, but God’s intention goes farther; He wants to totally purge
sin from my life. As He does, I become more able to pray for others, including
politicians and world leaders, that they too would be brought into a saving
relationship with the God they resist.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, our world needs righteous leadership. It is
sadly lacking. You tell me to pray for those who rule, that they might be
saved. I need to keep short accounts with You and be on ‘praying ground’ so am
relying on You to convict me of sin that needs to be confessed and forsaken. I
also need grace to obey You and grace to pray for those who hate You. I cannot
change the world and its Herods, but I know that You can.
No comments:
Post a Comment