High Stakes
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Acts 12:21-23
Most people think they are invincible. One psychologist calls it our optimism bias. We generally think that we can get away with doing whatever we like and escape the consequences.
Think about why we exercise and eat well. It’s not so we can avoid cancer in the future. It’s because it makes us feel better/look better now. Think about how we spend money. Not many people these days are willing to make big sacrifices for the sake of a better future. We actually need the government to force us, in the form of superannuation.
Herod is a guy who thinks everything is going to be ok. Here he is, standing before a crowd who is shouting at him. You are a god! What a moment. To hear a crowd chant your name like that? Surely, the one true God won’t mind. Remembering this is a King of Israel, the one meant to lead God’s people.
God’s judgement here is swift. He is struck down. A Jewish historian suggests that it was a stomach issue related to tapeworm. Literally, he was eaten by worms and died.
Herod is a swift reminder of the reality that comes to all who choose to be their own god. Luke is surely reminding us of Jesus’ words when he speaks of hell, where ““‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
We can be as optimistic as we like. But unless we find salvation in Jesus, our destiny is Herod’s. We can say I don’t deserve it. But anyone who puts themselves on God’s rightful throne, the one that is in your heart, does deserve it.
Let’s remember the stakes today. Not just for ourselves, but for others. Thousands of people in our community optimistically walking their way into eternal worms and fire. Let’s be in prayer and let’s be bringing them to check out Jesus.
Today:
Pray:
Acts 12:21-23
Most people think they are invincible. One psychologist calls it our optimism bias. We generally think that we can get away with doing whatever we like and escape the consequences.
Think about why we exercise and eat well. It’s not so we can avoid cancer in the future. It’s because it makes us feel better/look better now. Think about how we spend money. Not many people these days are willing to make big sacrifices for the sake of a better future. We actually need the government to force us, in the form of superannuation.
Herod is a guy who thinks everything is going to be ok. Here he is, standing before a crowd who is shouting at him. You are a god! What a moment. To hear a crowd chant your name like that? Surely, the one true God won’t mind. Remembering this is a King of Israel, the one meant to lead God’s people.
God’s judgement here is swift. He is struck down. A Jewish historian suggests that it was a stomach issue related to tapeworm. Literally, he was eaten by worms and died.
Herod is a swift reminder of the reality that comes to all who choose to be their own god. Luke is surely reminding us of Jesus’ words when he speaks of hell, where ““‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
We can be as optimistic as we like. But unless we find salvation in Jesus, our destiny is Herod’s. We can say I don’t deserve it. But anyone who puts themselves on God’s rightful throne, the one that is in your heart, does deserve it.
Let’s remember the stakes today. Not just for ourselves, but for others. Thousands of people in our community optimistically walking their way into eternal worms and fire. Let’s be in prayer and let’s be bringing them to check out Jesus.
Today:
- Do you think you are invincible? Do you think about future consequences? In what way?
- How can you continue to hold fast to Jesus this week?
- Who is someone you need to bring to check out Jesus? What’s your next step with them?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that he is the God who is on the throne.
- Give thanks for Jesus who rescues us from our ungodliness.
- Ask God for his Holy Spirit to help you and others remember the stakes involved.
Posted in Acts
No Comments