7 MORE Good Lessons From 7 MORE Bad Bible Characters (Pt. 1: Herod)

Ever since I first launched the series “7 Good Lessons From 7 Bad Bible Characters,” it has now become HUGELY popular here on Learning To Live!

So, today I’m kicking off a major sequel for the original series (especially since this is my 100th blog post! Another shocker!!!), and starting a NEW TESTAMENT version!

We’re gonna look into deep spiritual lessons from New Testament Bible villains like Judas, Sapphira, and Caiaphas!

For Part 1 of this series, we’re gonna explore one spiritually meaty lesson from Herod, the man who was to judge Jesus during one of the last, closing scenes of His life on earth.

Who Was Herod?

The Herod we’re gonna look into today is Herod Antipas, the same one who had John the Baptist beheaded (see Matthew 14:1-3).

He was the tetrarch (or ruler, basically) of Galilee. And, he was the son of Herod the Great, the one who ordered all the baby boys in Bethlehem to be killed (see Matthew 2:16).

But despite this bloody family background, we’re gonna look into a lesson from Herod that is just as deadly to our eternal salvation.

Let’s get into that one lesson below!

That’s All You Wanna See?

In Luke 23:8, we get a glimpse of this one good lesson from Herod:

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.

(Luke 23:8)

Okay, let’s break down this verse.

Here in Luke 23:8, we see three things from Herod:

1. He wanted to see Jesus
2. He had heard of Jesus
3. He just wanted to see Jesus do a miracle

What can we learn from this?

First, I’d like to look into the word “miracle” in Luke 23:8.

Seeing Strange

The word “miracle” in the original Greek is sēmeion (σημεῖον) and it means “a sign, an unusual occurrence.”

So, Herod WANTED to SEE Jesus, because he had HEARD of Him.

But what was the big, broad reason why he wanted to really see Jesus?

So he could see Jesus do some strange, supernatural sign.

That kinda reminds me of what Jesus said in Mark 8:

But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

(Mark 8:12)

What sort of deep lessons can we as Christians learn from this?

Curious Christianity

In the book The Desire of Ages by Ellen White (it’s a book commentary on Jesus’ life), she shares this bit of commentary about what motivated Herod to want to see Jesus do a miracle:

When Herod first heard of Jesus, he was terror-stricken, and said, “It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead;” “therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.” [Mark 6:16; Matthew 14:2.] Yet Herod desired to see Jesus. Now there was opportunity to save the life of this prophet, and the king hoped to banish forever from his mind the memory of that bloody head brought to him in a charger. He also desired to have his curiosity gratified, and thought that if Christ were given any prospect of release, He would do anything that was asked of Him.

(the desire of Ages pg. 728, emphasis added)

So, one of the things that motivated Herod to see Jesus was CURIOSITY.

A sense of curiosity to see Jesus do something unusual or miraculous before him.

But what about us?

What is motivating us to seek after Jesus?

Is it curiosity? Is it just wanting to get what we want?

Y’know, this reminds me of The Message Bible version of Jesus’ own words in Matthew 7:23–

“All you did was use me to make yourselves important.”

(Matthew 7:23 MSG)

Are we seeking after Jesus just to make ourselves look good and important?

Dear reader, why are you seeking Jesus?

What’s driving you to be a Christian?

What’s motivating you to follow Jesus?

Stepping Back To Think

The Bible gives us much encouragement to examine our motives and to reflect over why exactly we’ve chosen to call ourselves Christians.

Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

(Haggai 1:5)

Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.

(Proverbs 4:26)

Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;

(Lamentations 3:40)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. 

(2 Corinthians 13:5)

And I would like to encourage you, dear reader, to really consider, ponder, search out, and examine the motives that are driving you to be a Christian and seek after Christ.

We each need to step back and think–

Am I acting like Herod? Am I allowing curiosity or something else to motivate me to follow Jesus?

True Motive

So, what should drive and motivate us as Christians to follow and seek after Christ?

I believe Paul has the perfect answer for us in 1 Corinthians 16:14–

Let all that you do be done with love.

(1 Corinthians 16:14)

And that includes allowing our motivations of following Jesus to be energized by love!

So, dear reader, what is motivating you to seek after and follow Jesus?

Is it curiosity like Herod?

Is it fear?

Is it just out of cold, formal routine/tradition?

Or is it love?

An Appeal & A Prayer

Dear reader, if you feel convicted for having wrongful motives as a Jesus-following Christian, I wanna appeal to you and encourage you to simply pray:

I’d like to conclude this blog post with two beautiful Bible promises you many meditate on along with the above prayer.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(Romans 5:5)

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties

(Psalm 139:23)

Amen! Maranatha!

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