Lk 9:7-9 Rising From The DeadHerod the Tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead.”
Throughout history, tyrants and boastful men have tried to behead God. And since they cannot behead God, they go after God’s Church. And since they are unable to behead God’s Church, they go after God’s men and women. How? By highlighting our sinfulness, which, by the way, plays right into God’s hands, for if we ever forgot our sinful state, we would be playing into the devil’s hands, and God will never allow that to happen. All sinners are sinners. All sins are sins.
For some individuals it is perfectly reasonable for Kate Perry to encourage teenagers to live out their teenage dreams and to drink every Friday night. However, God forbid that a High School teacher, or a coach or a priest would do the same! That would be considered “unprofessional.” The same illogic holds us hostage when we read in the newspaper that a High School female teacher had “sex” with a fourteen year old boy. So it’s sex for a High School female teacher and “rape” for a nun. Of course we all know it is the later, regardless of consent.
“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Herod was curious about Jesus. We’re always curious about those who do not believe or act like we do. It’s not always a bad thing. It can actually be a good thing. It’s good to scrutinize others as long as we are honest with ourselves! Herod should have asked himself, “Why is everyone following Him?” Or, “Why are those who follow Him so loving to Him?” “Why is it that Jesus needs no body guards or weapons when he travels from one place to another and I need an entire division of soldiers to accompany me wherever I go?” Is it because he is insignificant or is it because he does not fear death? Do I fear death? Do I fear the people? Is he more of a king than I am?
Why do atheists, secularists and skeptics attack God? Why do they work so hard in beheading someone who (supposedly) does not exist? It is very clear that they are envious of those who do believe. After all, they would not be continually demanding an end to prayers at public school events or at professional sporting events, military funerals, or on the television and radio? It is increasingly clear that the only ones that are offended by prayer are atheists. Muslims, Christians, Jews are not offended by another’s prayers. They actually appreciate them!
So why do atheists attack believers? Why did Herod do it? I believe it has to do with fear. Yes, fear! For evil to be liberated there can be no standard to compare it to; no finger to point to. When a Christian commits an evil act, he separates himself from the community. When an atheist sins; he joins the community. The atheist loves to point his finger at the Christian sinner. A Christian sinner is more than willing to point his finger at himself. So as long as there are Christians; there will always be atheists. In fact, as long as there is God, there will always be atheists.
Herod beheaded John. But he did not behead God, and in his attempt to behead God, he ended up raising Him from the dead and multiplying Him throughout the world!
