Was Jesus being a snot to Herod or is there a lesson for us?

When Jesus shows up in Pilate’s court Pilate treats Him as a problem that must be dealt with.  He is nothing more than an unexpected item on his “to do” list.  Pilate is, at least for the moment, treating this with all the emotion of a mathematical equation, a sum to be reached by a process.  Ask questions of the accused, try to get beyond the story they spin, examine the facts, then render a verdict.  Justice is cold, calculating and not interested in emotions and superstitions.  When Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews, Jesus’ response is short and enigmatic. Jesus answers with a test question, “Are you the one saying that?”  Directly it is neither a denial nor an affirmation.  But at least Jesus responds to Pilate’s inquiry, which is important to note.  Jesus’ answer is an invitation for Pilate to search his heart and find his convictions on this matter, to move beyond cold intellectualism. Jesus has begun a line of questioning that would, if followed, force Pilate to work out who Jesus was.  But Pilate only wanted a way out.  Pushing the case over to Herod seems like his way out.

Herod enthusiastically takes the case. Herod wants to see Jesus.  For some time he has heard of this miracle-working Galilean and he wants to see him do something.  Maybe Jesus would do a little magic trick, multiplication of bread, water into wine, curing some illness, pulling a rabbit out of the hat.  Herod wants to be wowed.  Jesus is very popular in Galilee.  If Jesus would collaborate with Herod it would be good politically, Jesus could give the population food and wine.  Maybe do something to lighten the burden of the taxes.  The possibilities are endless, but first a private show.  The stage is set the performer is on, but he does nothing.  He doesn’t even give so much as a word.  He is less obliging for Herod than He was for Pilate.   Had Jesus done even one little miracle Herod would have gladly taken him under his protection.  Herod would have had his court Magic Show. Entertainment was what Herod wanted but Jesus just stood there.  Herod and company did their best to entertain themselves at Jesus's expense. But bullying and mocking makes poor sport of someone who has the courage of Jesus and who refuses to be intimidated. Once he was bored Herod sent Jesus back to Pilot. He didn't want him; he didn't need him if he could not be entertaining.

Pilate was the chair of the committee for security and regional stability and was holding an interview for threat assessment.  Herod was a party animal ready to start leading the chant “Toga, Toga, Toga”. If Pilate was an auditor going over an accountant's books, Herod was a Las Vegas visitor with a ticket to the Penn and Teller show.  

Pilate and Herod represent two equally failing, but still current responses to Jesus.  One is when Jesus is an object of study and cold intellectualism.  We look at Jesus through our reason and analyze Him through the processes of our scholarship.   Over the years we have heard the warnings of a cold, dead, sterile, ritualized Christianity.  But we have heard fewer warnings about the danger of Neo-Herodism.  Available for us today is the Jesus Show complete with lights, band, jumbotron, smoke machines and stars of stage and screen.   We can have Christianity as entertainment with great looking preachers that give us talks worthy of any motivational speaker.  Stand up comics are also available, because laughs draw a crowd.  If you rather, you can have self-help where Jesus can be your own personal Dr. Phil.  Entertainment Jesus even has his own awards program, not unlike the Emmy, Oscar, Tony, Academy, thee are “The Church Stars”.  (I am not kidding it is an awards program for Christian entertainment.) 

Jesus walked past Pilate and dry intellectual pursuit of knowledge.   He would have nothing to do with the entertaining possibilities of entertainment offered by Herod.  Jesus was on His way to the Cross.  Our call is not to engage is dry discourse nor to entertain into imbecility, but rather to die to self, follow Jesus to the cross, first His then our own.