Perplexing

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.
Luke 9:7–9
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Perplexing
To the unfaithful and unbelieving person Jesus is a confusing mystery, a perplexing question that on their own they can ever seem to answer. Herod, who we once again encounter, suffers this same fate. In these verses Herod reiterates that he put John the Baptist to death and the question of the identity of Jesus is raised.  After the Twelve are sent out to preach and heal, there is such an outburst of prophetic activity that even Herod takes notice. And not unlike Herod, unfortunately, many people today have the same kind of puzzled but faithless reaction when the Gospel reaches their ears. Yet for those that hear God’s Word and faith is worked Jesus is no longer a mystery. His death and resurrection assure us of salvation. And by God’s Spirit and grace, our hearing of the Gospel will bear the fruit of faithful commitment and the eager expectation of Jesus’ life-giving blessings. We thank the Lord that He has opened our hearts to the blessings of His Gospel. May He continue to grant us His Spirit, that we never fail to appreciate the privilege of knowing Him rightly and of being His children and heirs.