Ask In Faith

Times change, but people manage to stay the same.  The way people responded to the Gospel in Paul's day is strikingly similar to how people do today.  Acts 17:32-34 records the response of listeners to the doctrine of Christ's resurrection, "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." ³³ So Paul departed from among them. ³⁴ However, some men joined him and believed..."  To this day some mock in unbelief, others are temporarily intrigued but ignore the implications of Christ's resurrection, and there are a few who believe.

I read through Luke 23 this week and was struck by King Herod's response to Jesus.  A passage describes the occasion when Jesus was sent by Pilate to Herod Antipas in Jerusalem before His crucifixion.  Luke 23:8-11 says, "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. ⁹ Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. ¹⁰ And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. ¹¹ Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate."  King Herod responded as many people do today concerning Jesus.  They have heard of Jesus and are curious to see if what they have heard is true.  They would love to see blind men see, the dead raised, and thousands of people fed with only a handful of small loaves of bread.  People thirst for entertainment and would be dazzled to see a man actually walk on water without secret tricks.  People are drawn to power.  They want to see it for themselves, and that is what Herod hoped for.

Herod was disappointed with Jesus, who refused to even speak with Him!  Herod asked many questions, but Jesus gave no answer.  Herod did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of the Jews.  This is evidenced by his treatment of Christ when his expectations went unmet.  He and his men of war treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him.  Herod was curious to hear Jesus speak and do something, but when Jesus did not act according to his desire he despised Jesus and treated Him like a fool.  Many seekers of the world are like Herod, desiring Jesus to accomplish their will rather than abdicating the throne of our hearts for Christ alone.  So many people go to church for a season and even serve in various roles in churches with the heart of King Herod.  They are willing to jump through a few hoops to obtain their desire.  But when their prayers are met with silence, and nothing seems to be happening, they abandon all hope in Christ.  This is a tragic choice, for in forsaking Christ they deny their only hope of salvation, joy, and peace.

We ought to be as Christ who was obedient to the Father.  Even when the cross loomed before Him, Jesus asked if that cup might pass from Him.  "But not my will, but your will be done."  Christ laid down His will in Gethsemane, and laid down His life on Calvary.  If Herod had humbly approached Jesus in belief, Jesus would have spoken words of peace - even as He did to the criminal on the cross who begged Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.  Jesus answered, "Assuredly, today you will be with me in Paradise."  God is not interested in satisfying the curiosity of men.  But He is interested to give wisdom and insight to all those who ask in faith.  James 1:5-6 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."  How important is faith in establishing a genuine relationship with God!