0291. Herod's Degeneracy

Herod’s Degeneracy

"And he said unto them, Go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected" (Luk_13:32).

Christ in His travels had come near to Herod’s jurisdiction. Some of the Pharisees had said unto Christ: "Get Thee out, and depart hence: for Herod desires to kill Thee." It was at this time that Christ said, "Go tell that fox."

Our Lord did not use that epithet as a stinging slur. He used it to describe the real degeneracy of Herod.

The whole history of Herod’s life was before Christ. He knew what was in the hearts of men. Christ had known how Herod once had heard John preach; how Herod had refused the Gospel and placed the preacher in jail. Christ knew the story of the feast, the dance and the beheaded prophet. Christ knew the discussion that had taken place in Herod’s inner palace. He knew that Herod had sinned and sinned until the words "that fox" told accurately the condition of his subtle sinning.

It seems almost impossible that Herod should be seeking to kill the Saviour, Whom he once so nearly followed. The malignity of Herod’s heart is amazing.

But let us bring this matter closer home. Are not all who reject our precious Lord, crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh; are not all the unregenerate counting the Blood an unholy thing; are they not treading under foot the Son of God, and doing despite unto the spirit of grace?

After all is said and done, is not each and every one who rejects the Lord Jesus, as guilty as Herod was? We have greater light than he; we have been taught more fully the meaning of the Cross, than he; we have understood more of the power of His resurrection and surely we know more of His return than Herod knew.

Who can discover the unspeakable villainy of the human heart, the degeneracy of the human soul?

It is said of Christ: "He came into the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." Do we know Him? Are we better than they?

It is said of Christ: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." Do we receive Him? Are we better than they?

The truth is that all who reject Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and coming King have the same spirit that possessed Herod when Jesus said of him, "Go tell that fox."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR