Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
He kept trying to see him. (Luke 9:9)
We typically think of deciding as simply a matter of making a choice. But in a more literal sense, it means to cease further debate or to put away further hesitation.
Now Herod was interested in Jesus. He had heard about him, possibly through Joanna, a member of Herod’s household who had joined the disciples (Luke 8:3). Surely he had heard rumors of Jesus’ many miracles!
With all of this data, Herod clearly decided who Jesus wasn’t. He wasn’t John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, or Elijah or another of the ancient prophets back from the dead. But Herod was having trouble deciding who Jesus was. He “kept trying to see him,” hoping that more and more exposure would help him solve the puzzle of this popular preacher from Galilee (Luke 9:9). In effect, Herod was saying, “Prove yourself to me,” even though he wasn’t willing to admit the truth that all the rumors about Jesus suggested.
Who do you say Jesus is? Every time we recite the creed, we profess to believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son and our Lord. Are you ready to take a stand based on that profession? Every day we face situations in which we must decide not to gossip; to avoid TV shows, movies, or Internet sites that incite greed, envy, laziness, or lust; to eat and drink in moderation; to give employers a honest day’s work; to keep anger in check, even when our teenager goes to school with our car keys in his pocket.
We don’t want to be people who merely know about Jesus. We want to be those who have terminated doubt and wonder, who are willing to take a stand for godly things. Rather than continually asking God to prove himself, let us be those who hold fast to godly truths in our hearts and minds. And on those days when our lives go against our profession of faith, we can declare, “Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross and rising from the dead for my forgiveness.”
So what’s your decision going to be?
“Jesus, I don’t need any more convincing. I believe you are the Son of God, and I want my words and actions to declare that. Help me today to live my faith in you.”
Daily Marriage Tip for September 26, 2013:
Over the years spouses learn little tricks to make life together work more smoothly. Are there any adjustments you’ve decided to make to accommodate your beloved’s idiosyncrasies like timing, temperature, eating, or sleeping preferences?