THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

82If we find we don't share Jesus Christ with others, could it be because we are notconcerned about the souls of our friends and neighbors? We need a vision of hell. And we needthe love He has for the lost.Jesus was concerned about everyone. And His concern should be our concern.Herod was like so many people of our time. He knew Jesus only by rumor. Some peoplein our day know Jesus as a compassionate man, but they don’t know much else about Him. LikeHerod, many only know about Jesus by rumor. They don’t know who He really is.They listen to the sermons but don’t hear them.They may even read the Bible but they don’t comprehend it.They didn’t bother to seek the Scriptures. They were satisfied with hear-say. It isimpossible to know who Jesus is outside the Gospels and the New Testament. Rumors will onlylead to error.Luke tells us later in the gospel that Herod had sought to see Jesus, primarily out ofcuriosity. In fact, when Pilate sent Jesus to Herod during our Savior’s trial,Luke records:“When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him,because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign doneby Him. So he questioned Him at some length; but He made no answer.”(Lk 23:8-9; see also Ps 112:7)Jesus did the same thing to Pilate. He gave him the silent treatment. But when Pilatereacted to Christ’s silence, Jesus did speak to Pilate. But on the occasion of Christ’s trial beforeHerod, He didn’t say a word to Herod. That was probably a sign of judgment. Jesus consideredthat Herod was not worthy of a reply.JESUS’ LAMENT (13:22)Jesus’ authority is seen in His refusal to have an earthly monarch setting His agenda. Thesecond is a great contrast. It is His compassion and humility. He was on His way to Jerusalem togive His life a ransom for us sinners (Lk 13:22). The city in which He would give His life for theworld was the city He had called and longed to gather to Himself (Mt 23:37-39).