Just Curious?

Herod was a pretty evil man. He came from a line of evil men and all his family and relatives were a sorry lot. He even married his sister-in-law which was also his neice. Today's soaps or superstars have nothing on Herod. He was known for his cruelty and craftiness in ruling over Israel during the time of Jesus of Nazareth.

Herod's marriage to Herodias didn't go un-noticed. John the Baptist - the forerunner and cousin of Jesus -had publicly lambasted Herod for this sin. So Herod put John in prison.

There's an interesting verse about Herod and John the Baptist in Mark 5.

"And Herodias had a grudge against him (John) and wanted to put him to death. But she could not for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly."

Herod later had John beheaded when Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with a dance at a big bash he had thrown. But what I find interesting is that Herod knew there was something very special about John. Herod recognized him as a holy man. Herod was apparently curious about this man and what he had to say.

I think it's probably likely that John minced no words with Herod when they spoke. I find it fascinating that this very evil and powerful man still wanted to hear words of rebuke from a nobody.

I think this is instructive of the human soul. We are all lost at creation. We inherit the "sin gene" from our parents, passed on to them down through the generations all the way from Adam and Eve. It's a fatal gene. The only way to heal it is to turn to the Great Physician - Jesus Christ - who was born of God and a woman and so didn't have the defective gene. He then gave His life willingly to heal us and give us eternal life.

What it takes though - is repentance and belief. That first step can be a doozy. To repent means to change your mind and change your direction. You have to realize the evil in you and not like it. There is no evidence that thought John I'm sure pointed out the evil that Herod ever decided against it. He later died after refusing to turn away the chants of the crowds that he was a god.

Is someone speaking the gospel into your life? Are you curious about it - want to hear it - recognize that there is something different about the person you know is a Christian? Be careful. Herod heard but did not listen and never turned his heart to God.

Don't just be curious about the gospel - really investigate it, search your heart and God's Word - and then make a decision to give your life for Jesus, after all, He gave His life for you.

And remember - not making a decision is making one - rejecting Jesus.