DO YOU TREAT JESUS LIKE YOUR STATIONARY BIKE?

October 11, 2016

DO YOU TREAT JESUS LIKE YOUR STATIONARY BIKE?

Luke 23:1–12

Brent Voorhees

Central Truth

Jesus came to "seek and to save the lost," yet we often interpret that statement as "fix my mistakes and answer some prayers." Herod longed to see Jesus—not for the forgiveness of sins—but to satisfy Herod's curiosity of the miraculous. And he was left unsatisfied.

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 done by him. (Luke‬ ‭23:8‬)

Jesus Before Pilate

1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 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 done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

Many of us have purchased a stationary bike, walking machine, or perhaps one of those ab crunchers to help us lose those extra pounds. We make the purchase, try it out, but then give up . . . quickly.

Why?

Because we don't like what it requires of us or asks us to give up. Or perhaps it does not give us the results we desire in the time we are willing to give it. The machine we so desperately wanted to fix us gets pushed aside and often becomes a very expensive clothes hanger.

In today's passage, we see Jesus treated in much the same way. Jesus is in the middle of His trials after His arrest. He gets passed off between judges. When Herod receives Jesus, he is very excited to see this miracle worker. But when Herod doesn't get the results he wants, he mocks Jesus and sends Him back. Herod desired a god who did whatever he wanted—one who would perform miracles at his command. In short, Herod truly wanted God as he willed and in his own way. His selfishness blinded him from seeing God standing in the flesh right before him and, furthermore, drove him to mock and refuse Jesus.

Herod is a tragedy. A tragedy that unfortunately is repeated over and over. I myself have come many times in desperate prayer to God, begging for a fix to my situation. In hindsight, I see clearly that many of those occasions I prayed because I was grieved over the consequences of my sin—not to repent of my rebellion against God. This is not repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

I am so thankful that God is merciful beyond measure and has extended opportunity upon opportunity for me to crucify my flesh with Christ and to live by faith through Him (Galatians 2:20). And I am confident in all circumstances that God is still at work and bringing to completion what He has started in me (Philippians 1:6).

So what is Jesus to you? Stationary bike or the One who offers eternal life now?

1. How do you seek God in prayer? For example, do you only pray when you are in the midst of a challenging circumstance and need extra help to make up for what you cannot accomplish on your own? Do you only pray when you want extra material or relational blessing from God? Or do you constantly pray, seeking that God's will be done and not your own? (Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 22:42)

2. Can you think of a time in your life when you quit praying because you didn't immediately receive the result you wanted? You may have been very frustrated, but think back on that time now. Can you now see how the Lord was at work for good through your struggle (Romans 8:28)? Note: if you cannot see it yet, be patient. Continue to pray (Colossians 4:2).

3. Whom do you spend time with and allow to influence you? The knowledge of Jesus can either unite people in following Him or, in rebellion against that knowledge, unite them on a path to destruction (1 Corinthians 1:18). Are your friends of the mindset of Herod and Pilate, uniting against Jesus (Luke 23:12), or are they true biblical community for you?