15/05/10

Pilate and Herod, men of authority

Luke 23:11,12 - And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.


If one goes through historic data about Herod, for instance the famous historian Josephus who recorded the events during those periods in his book 'Wars of Jews' projects Herod as a ruthless fighter, but at the same time a cunning negotiator. Herod has to his credit to have ruled for about 43years the very people who hated him, the Jews. Herod was the high-priestly ruler for the areas compromising Galilee, Samaria, Judea and Perea. If one reads the amazing things which Herod did to survive, a person who love war would be impressed by him.

On the other hand Pontius Pilate who was a governmental representative of imperial Rome during the time of Jesus was given the control over Jerusalem. He too had a interesting background. He was the illegitimate son of King Tyrus (term symbolically used for Satan - the dragon / serpent). He had been sent to Rome as a hostage and things turned around for him and he was put in authority. Been gone through trials he had a softer heart but due to the fear of seeing the bad days again, he did things he would have done without.

Just before Jesus was arrested these two rulers who were at logger heads of each other and the Bible says they had patched up and became friends. Now Pilate (who's surname / family name was Pontius) tried to wash his hands off Jesus when He was bought to him. Although not being a Christian he could not find any fault with Jesus. Herod being a shrewd man was not really a friend of anyone but himself. To make matters worse for Pilate and not to displease the Jews, he had his soldiers mock Jesus and send Him back to Pilate.

As we all know latter Pilate first tried to negotiate his conscious by first scourged Jesus and then tried to bail Him out using the festival (Passover) release of a prisoner, but ultimately had to give in to the demand of the crowd.

Why are we studying this historic data today?

This, the Lord has given us to understand the people of authority not only of the world but those inside the so called church. The background of Pilate and Herod gives the background of people in church authority who sell / sacrifice God to keep their positions. Let me explain further...

There was one time some boys who confronted a person David on his belief. So David challenged them if it was Biblical they would need to accept his belief or he would do accept theirs. Since they were not Word rooted they took David to their priest. David knowing their priest was comfortable with him. When David confronted the priest with just 3 questions with a yes or no as an answer he was in a fix. He first tried all the tricks to evade the questions be citing traditions and emotional relationships. But when confronted further the first two questions he answered with a no. But on the third he tapped David's head and front of all he openly confessed he had an authority above him to whom he had to answer. From the boys who were there one immediately got out of that church and the others followed latter. Today these boys are greatly blessed in the Lord and going wonders spiritually. That priest was symbolically like Pilate and it is recorded Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate not Herod. Herod (the father of this Herod) tried to stop the birth of Jesus, Pilate was instrument in His crucifixion.

This world hates Jesus Christ, even if it takes His Name, it does not want to follow His teaching. So as please the world this church is deceiving all by trying to eat the cake and also have it.

During the time of Jesus, Cesar ruled the people of God from Rome and today too things have not changed much.

Let us open our eyes and see who we have made as authority over us? Have we submitted ourselves to the Lord or to man who deceivingly is taking His Name and misleading us having no relationship with God?

Do not go by emotions or what your eyes see but by the Word.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus, You warned man saying many would come in your Name but not to believe them. You gave one way doe discern all things and that is your Word. A person from You will keep your Word and the person not from You will twist and turn your Word to deceive like Satan does. Lord open the minds and the eyes of your people that they may see the deceit which Satan is playing in your Name...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Matthew 24:23-25
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25 Behold, I have told you beforehand.

Matthew 7:19-23
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven [the Word is the will of the Father].
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Acts 4:26-30
26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:
27 for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,
28 to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,
30 while thy stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)