Herod’s question in today’s Gospel becomes the defining question for the rest of the Gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” While Herod the tetrarch asked the question, he never allows Jesus to challenge him or his own self-understanding and world view. We hear that Herod was “perplexed”. Why? Because people were filled with wonder and asking who Jesus might be. Jesus was teaching and healing with great authority. He was welcoming outcasts and sinners but was not an official rabbi or priests. Who was he? Some suggested that he was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Others suggested that Jesus was the prophet Elijah who had been taken up to heaven.
“As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” (2 Kings 2:11)
“Now I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day…” (Malachi 3:23)
Others suggested that “one of the ancient prophets has arisen” perhaps a prophet like the one promised by Moses:
“A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kindred; that is the one to whom you shall listen.”
Herod is a man of mistrust, suspicions, and violence who refuses to allow his comfortable life to be challenged to change: “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” While Herod “kept trying to see him”, he only wanted to see him perform extraordinary deeds or miracles. He was curious but unwilling to be challenged.
In the Gospels the road to conversion begins with seeing Jesus and seeing him perform wonders and miracles.
“Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi…where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.” (John 1:38-39).
Coming and seeing Jesus is only the first step in the journey of conversion. Asking the question, “Who is this?” is only the first step. Full conversion means that we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and put God’s will and way even before our own will:
“If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother…and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple…. every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26, 27, 33)
Image: “IMG_0020G X Nord Russia. Vers 1480 The prophet Elijah’s Ascension in a chariot of fire. Prague National Gallery Sternbersky Palac” by jean louis mazieres is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.