A reading from the gospel according to Luke 9:7-9
7 Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”;
8 others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
9 But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
Reflection: Perplexed
Herod beheaded John the Baptist. Now, his conscience is bothering him so much that he must be very afraid. The gospel reading described him as perplexed which means he is puzzled, confused or troubled. Why should he be? He is guilty and it is eating him alive. Such is the natural consequence of great sin. Still, he does not show any sorrow or repentance. May there be no more Herods in this world.
Herod is curious or intrigued about Jesus and he longed to see him. Yet Jesus was there preaching from town to town. What prevented him from going out to meet Jesus? He has all the means to see and know Jesus but he did not exert any effort to do so. Indeed, there is a big difference between ‘trying to see Him” and exerting effort to see Jesus.
Trying to see Jesus is not the same as trying to know Him. If we really want to see and know Jesus, the Holy Spirit will guide us. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13). Also in Matthew 7:7, Jesus challenges us to “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Let us not only be curious about Jesus. Let us have a deep longing to know Him and to have a deep relationship with Him. He is our Lord, the messiah about whose coming John the Baptist announced and prepared for.
*****
Herod the Tetrarch was puzzled by the growing fame of Jesus. He had heard of the miracles, the healings, and the profound teachings spreading across the land. Some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead; others said He was Elijah or one of the ancient prophets. Herod, intrigued and troubled, sought to see Jesus for himself.
This passage offers us a profound reflection on spiritual curiosity and the choices we make in response to God’s truth. Herod, despite his position of power, felt compelled to seek out Jesus. Yet, this curiosity came not from a place of humility but from confusion and fear. His mind raced, wondering who this man could be, especially after he had ordered the execution of John the Baptist. Herod’s story reminds us that encountering Jesus demands more than just interest; it requires action, transformation, and a sincere heart.
1. Spiritual Curiosity vs. Genuine Seeking
Many people, like Herod, are curious about Jesus. They hear about His teachings, His miracles, and the way He transforms lives, and they feel drawn to know more. However, curiosity alone is not enough. Herod’s desire to see Jesus was not driven by a hunger for truth or a longing for repentance. Instead, he was disturbed and perplexed, grappling with his own guilt and fear.
True seeking involves a heart that desires to know God personally and to be changed by Him. Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, “Seek, and you will find.” When we seek Him with an open heart, Jesus reveals Himself fully, not just as a figure of history, but as the Savior who can transform our lives.
2. Confronting Guilt and Fear
Herod’s story is also a reflection of the struggle between sin and repentance. He had imprisoned and executed John the Baptist because John’s message was a threat to his immoral lifestyle. Now, with Jesus performing even greater works, Herod’s conscience was disturbed. He couldn’t escape the weight of his guilt.
In our lives, there are moments when we, too, are confronted with the reality of our sins and shortcomings. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s an opportunity for repentance. God does not expose our sins to condemn us, but to call us into deeper relationship with Him through grace. If Herod had sought forgiveness instead of trying to alleviate his guilt through curiosity, his encounter with Jesus could have been transformative.
3. The Invitation to Encounter Jesus
Unlike Herod, who allowed his pride and fear to cloud his search, we are invited to come to Jesus with humility. We don’t have to come perfect or free from mistakes. In fact, it is precisely in our brokenness that Jesus meets us. Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Herod missed his opportunity to meet the Savior. But today, we have the chance to seek Jesus with open hearts, to bring our questions, doubts, and sins before Him. He promises to meet us with grace, love, and the power to transform our lives.
May we not only be curious about Jesus but truly seek Him with a heart ready to be changed. Let us confront whatever holds us back, knowing that Jesus is always ready to receive us, forgive us, and guide us into new life.
*****
In every age, there are people who wrestle with questions about truth, identity, and purpose. During the time of Jesus, even rulers were puzzled by His growing influence. Some were curious, others fearful, and still others dismissive. The heart of the matter was this: people could not easily categorize who He was. Some thought He was a prophet reborn, others said He was a continuation of a great tradition, while some simply wanted Him silenced. That same uncertainty continues today.
Think of how society reacts to bold voices in our own time including people who challenge the status quo, advocate for justice, or bring hope in unexpected places. When a humanitarian like Mother Teresa lived among the poor in Calcutta, some admired her as a saint, while others questioned her methods. When Nelson Mandela fought for equality, many saw him as a beacon of justice, while some branded him a threat. In our modern day, when someone stands for truth and compassion, reactions are still divided. Some welcome the message, while others remain skeptical or even hostile.
The story of a puzzled ruler reminds us that recognition of truth is not always immediate. It often stirs questions rather than instant acceptance. In a world filled with noise such as political debates, social media trends, scientific discoveries, and shifting cultural values, many people are still asking, “Who is this person? What does His message mean for me?” The search for clarity is timeless.
But let us not stop at curiosity. Curiosity, though valuable, can become a trap if it does not lead to transformation. A person may admire a wise teacher, quote inspiring words, and even marvel at a miracle, yet remain unchanged in heart. For example, it is common today for people to share uplifting quotes online, but not allow those same truths to shape their daily choices. We may listen to a speech on kindness or justice, applaud it, and then return to our old ways of indifference. Curiosity must give way to conviction.
Consider a young professional who attends a seminar on integrity. She hears stories of leaders who refused bribes and stood firm in honesty despite heavy losses. At first, she is impressed, even inspired. But when she herself faces pressure at work to compromise her principles, the real test begins. If she simply remains curious about what “good leaders” do, she will falter. But if she allows the message to take root, she will stand firm and be changed by it. In the same way, the message of Christ calls us beyond admiration into genuine transformation.
Another lesson from this passage is that power and influence do not guarantee understanding. The ruler in the story had status, wealth, and authority, but he was still spiritually unsettled. In today’s terms, a billionaire tech mogul may shape industries but remain restless about life’s deeper meaning. A celebrity may have millions of followers yet struggle with inner emptiness. Success and recognition do not automatically lead to clarity about life’s ultimate purpose. What we truly need is not more control, but more openness to truth.
The challenge, then, is personal. Who do we say Christ is, not based on public opinion, but on personal encounter? Is He merely an inspiring historical figure, or is He the living guide for our lives? To answer this requires courage, because true belief demands change. A student who believes in the dignity of all people will treat classmates with respect, even those who mock him. A parent who believes in unconditional love will choose patience over anger, even in stressful moments. A leader who believes in justice will make decisions that may be unpopular but are morally right.
When faced with Christ, curiosity should be the doorway, not the destination. Like the ruler, we may begin with questions, but unlike him, we must press further, to seek, to listen, and to allow our lives to be reshaped.
In a world full of uncertainty, the invitation remains: move beyond speculation and step into conviction. Do not settle for asking who Jesus might be; instead, let His life, example, and love redefine who we are. For the real transformation happens not when we simply admire truth from afar, but when we let it change the way we live each day.
