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Humble Hero
The Majesty of heaven had not a word for him. Christ’s lips were
closed to the haughty king who felt no need of a Savior.
Herod’s face grew dark with rage. He angrily denounced Jesus
as an impostor. Then he said to Christ, “If You will give no evidence
of Your claim, I will deliver You up to the soldiers and the people.
If You are an impostor, death is what You deserve. If You are the
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Son of God, save Yourself by working a miracle.”
No sooner had he spoken these words than, like wild beasts, the
crowd rushed upon their prey. They dragged Jesus this way and that,
and Herod joined the mob in trying to humiliate the Son of God. If
the Roman soldiers had not intervened, the Savior would have been
torn in pieces.
“Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and
mocked Him, [and] arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe.” The Roman
soldiers joined in this abuse. All that these corrupt soldiers and the
Jewish dignitaries could unleash was heaped upon the Savior. Yet
His patience did not fail.
Some Trembled Before Jesus
But there were some who trembled in Christ’s presence. Some
who came forward to mock Him turned back, afraid and silenced.
Herod was convicted. The last rays of merciful light were shining
on his sin-hardened heart. Divinity had flashed through humanity.
Herod felt that he was looking at a God on His throne. Hardened
as he was, he dared not ratify the condemnation of Christ. He sent
Jesus back to the Roman judgment hall.
Pilate was disappointed when the Jews returned with their Pris-
oner. He reminded them that he had already examined Jesus and
found no fault in Him. They had not been able to state a single
charge. And Herod, one from their own nation, also had found in
Him nothing worthy of death. “I will therefore chastise Him and
release Him.”
Here Pilate showed his weakness. Jesus was innocent, yet he was
willing to sacrifice justice in order to quiet His accusers. This placed
him at a disadvantage. The crowd took advantage of his indecision.
If Pilate had stood firm from the beginning, refusing to condemn a
Man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain