Who Is This?

Luke 9:7-9

Big idea: A man can hear about Jesus from a distance and still miss Him up close — the power of God is not given to be admired, but to be obeyed.

Luke 9:7-9 (KJV) [7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; [8] And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. [9] And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Lucas 9:7-9 (Reina Valera 1960) [7] Oyó Herodes el tetrarca de todo lo que hacía Jesús, y estaba perplejo, porque decían algunos: Juan ha resucitado de los muertos; [8] y otros: Elías ha aparecido; y otros: Algún profeta de los antiguos ha resucitado. [9] Y dijo Herodes: A Juan yo le hice decapitar; ¿quién, pues, es este, de quien oigo tales cosas? Y procuraba verle.

Introduction

We are excited that you are with us online today, but we would love for you to join us physically. There is something that happens when we are together in the house of the Lord. Vamos a estar en la palabra del Señor en Lucas capítulo 9, versos 7 al 9. Let’s look at this.

Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him. The Bible says he was perplexed. The news of Jesus did not reach a far country. It reached his own territory. And still, he only wanted to see Him from a distance.

That is the danger I want us to see this morning. Do you know what that means? It means a person can be close to the move of God and never be changed by it.

1. The Light Shines, and Men Take Notice

Our actions as believers are supposed to reflect and point to Christ. That is the first thing we learn here. Jesus called the twelve, He gave them power and authority over all demons, and He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. They went through the towns preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

And what happened? The report of what God was doing spread. It reached the palace. It reached a man who had no interest in repentance.

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Mateo 5:16 (Reina Valera 1960): “Así alumbre vuestra luz delante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras, y glorifiquen a vuestro Padre que está en los cielos.”

Light only shines in darkness. That is why the world notices. If there is no darkness, no one would need the light. So when your life shines, people see it. Some will glorify God. Others will be troubled. But nobody stays neutral.

2 Corinthians 4:6 reminds us where that light comes from. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corintios 4:6 (Reina Valera 1960): “Porque Dios, que mandó que de las tinieblas resplandeciese la luz, es el que resplandeció en nuestros corazones, para iluminación del conocimiento de la gloria de Dios en la faz de Jesucristo.”

The light in you is not yours. It was placed in you. And it was placed in you so that others would see and give glory to the Father.

2. The Authority Belongs to Christ

The kingdom of God had to expand, so Jesus sent the twelve. He gave them power over demons to cast them out and to heal the sick. Setting people free from demonic oppression prepares them for healing.

In Luke 13 we see it clearly. A woman, a daughter of Abraham, was bound by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not raise herself up. Jesus saw her, called her, and said, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.” He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

Lucas 13:11-13 (Reina Valera 1960): “Y he aquí una mujer enferma de espíritu desde hacía dieciocho años, la cual estaba encorvada, y no podía enderezar su cuerpo. Cuando Jesús la vio, la llamó y le dijo: Mujer, quedas libre de tu enfermedad. Y le impuso las manos, y al instante se enderezó, y glorificaba a Dios.”

The authority to cause healing in the sick stems from the One who owns it — Christ. Not the disciple. Not the method. Not the crowd. Christ.

Mark 16:17-18 tells us what follows those who believe. “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Marcos 16:17-18 (Reina Valera 1960): “Y estas señales seguirán a los que creen: En mi nombre echarán fuera demonios; hablarán nuevas lenguas; tomarán en las manos serpientes, y si bebieren cosa mortífera, no les hará daño; sobre los enfermos pondrán sus manos, y sanarán.”

Notice the words: in my name. The power is not in the vessel. The power is in the name.

3. Herod Saw the Kingdom from a Distance

This news gained widespread fame, and it reached Herod the tetrarch. Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, ruled Galilee and Perea — exactly where Jesus was ministering. So this is not distant news. It is news from his own territory.

But Herod had been running from God ever since John the Baptist confronted him about his sinful relationship with his brother’s wife. His fear had caused his heart to harden, and that hardness did not allow him to come to Jesus.

Look at what he says in verse 9. “John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things?” He was perplexed. He was disturbed. He wanted to see Jesus. But he did not want to be changed by Jesus.

Herod, like many, wanted to see the kingdom of God from a distance and not up close. He wanted to see at least one miracle from Jesus, but he did not. He heard the truth. He saw the evidence. And still he stayed in his sin.

This is what unrepentance does to a person. It distorts leadership at home and at work. It hinders obedience to God. It ends in tragic consequences. The message that Jesus sent the disciples to preach was that the kingdom of God had drawn near.

Luke 9:2 (KJV) [2] And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Lucas 9:2 (Reina Valera 1960) [2] Y los envió a predicar el reino de Dios, y a sanar a los enfermos.

Application

So what do we do with this? Let me make it concrete.

First, examine your distance. Do you come to church to watch, or to be changed? Are you close enough to hear, but far enough to stay comfortable?

Second, deal with the thing God already spoke to you about. Herod’s problem was not that he lacked information. His problem was that he had a word from God he refused to obey. If the Holy Spirit has already told you what to leave, leave it.

Third, use the authority that has been given to you. You are not called to admire the power of God from a seat. You are called to walk in it. Pray for the sick. Speak to the oppressed. The name of Jesus still works.

Gospel Connection

Here is the mercy in this passage. Herod wanted to see Jesus, and he got his wish — but not the way he wanted. He saw Him on the day of His trial, when Jesus stood silent before him and gave him no sign. That is the tragedy of a hardened heart.

But you are here today, and your heart is still soft enough to hear. That is grace. The same Jesus who sent the twelve is still sending. The same authority is still available. And the same invitation stands: not to look at Christ from a distance, but to come to Him.

Conclusion

Herod sought to see Him. He got close. And he still missed Him.

You can go as far as you want with God — but you cannot go anywhere with Him while you keep Him at arm’s length. Come close. Let the light shine. Let the kingdom be near, not far.

Aleluya.