Daily Devotion (March 19, 2025)
Luke 23:8-9 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. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.
Jesus now standing before the man who murdered John the Baptist. Why did Jesus stand before Herod and not speak? Jesus knew his heart!
Jesus knows our heart. Jesus knows the sincerity of our heart. Many come before Jesus mocking Him with false worship. We place the crown upon His head and place the robe on His back but only in false sincerity. When we reject Jesus, we become friends with this world.
Whatever differences Herod and Pilate may have had their rejection of Jesus brought them closer together. Is our acceptance of the world brought about because of our rejection of Jesus?
This passage cautions us against shallow worship. Is our “worship” of Jesus nothing more than a false act of sincerity. Do we worship the worship service, or do we worship God? We enter the sanctuary of God to Worship God. True worship leads us to serve God when we depart from the sanctuary. In other words, true worship of God changes us.
Why was Jesus silent before Herod? Jesus knew Herod’s heart! If we cannot hear God’s voice during worship, the issue lies with our hearts, not the service. We do not worship the worship service. We worship God. Herod did not hear Jesus because his heart was not turned to Jesus.
What about you?