Herod was perplexed. He was confused and didn’t understand what was happening. The news of what Jesus and the disciples were doing and how they commanded demons out of people and cured the sick while proclaiming the good news made him feel lost and bewildered.
We can see that today too. When confronted with the love of God many don’t understand it. Many children of this world find Christian behavior confusing and they misunderstand. They are confused because they don’t see the motivation.
In a world of takers and those who use others for profit and personal pleasure, the Christian life doesn’t make sense at all. It’s even seen as unreasonable and foolish. For the Christian loves others and acts in that love expecting nothing. Jesus sacrificed himself for us so we could carry our own cross and give ourselves to others as we spread the good news and share our love and blessings.
It makes no sense for the world.
So the children of darkness watch not understanding and easily slip into persecuting and rejecting the disciple then and now.
These are the days we live, in 2025. While most of us have lived in a world that either gave us lip service or ignored our actions and faith not knowing that we are in conflict with the world. Now the evil one has built up an army of lost confused souls who listen to his lies and commit to following the ways of darkness. They are like Herod. Confused, bewildered, lost and can easily cause violence toward the Christian.
Our time is going to see more martyrs and violence. But then whether we know it or not the number of martyrs for Christ has already been growing. More people have been killed for their faith in Christ inte 20th century than any other time in history. It is just now becoming revealed in our society more than ever.
The good news is Christ has already won the battle. The evil one has lost the war. Until Jesus comes again though there will still be persecutions. Calling oneself a Christian but being luke warm or unwilling to sacrifice for Christ will be more and more difficult.
Soon there will be a clear difference between the Christian faithful and the children of the world. There will not be any middle ground but in truth there never was. The world is choosing sides. Either we choose to love God with all our heart, or we will reject him.
Our calling today is to say yes to Jesus Christ every day. Pray at all times and keep the Holy Spirit within you so you know the truth and the way to Jesus Christ. That is the difference between Herod and the world. They are perplexed and lost and follow the wrong path.
The faithful know the way. That was why Jesus came. To show us the way. So, we are clear and firm in our way and focused on the truth of Jesus Christ. We know him and he knows us.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
Leave a comment