Universal Utterings®
for September 26, 2024

A Godcast ® brought to you by

God First Ministries, Inc. 501c3

WWW.UNIVERSALUTTERINGS.COM

09-26-2024 Luke 9 V-0709 Greatly Perplexed was Herod

http://universalutterings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/09-26-2024-Luke-9-V-0709-Greatly-Perplexed-was-Herod.mp3

The Gospel of Luke Chapter 9 v- 7 thru 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.

In Luke 9:7-9, we encounter King Herod, who is perplexed by the reports he hears about Jesus. This narrative reveals not only Herod's personal confusion but also reflects a broader human struggle to comprehend the divine. Herod, a ruler known for his political cunning and moral ambiguity, finds himself at a loss when confronted with the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ ministry. The miracles, teachings, and escalating popularity of Jesus stir a deep unrest within him, prompting questions about identity and power.

Herod’s perplexity symbolizes a universal human condition: the quest for truth amidst the noise of conflicting narratives. As reports of Jesus’ miraculous works circulate—some claiming He is John the Baptist risen from the dead, others suggesting He is Elijah or a prophet—Herod grapples with his own guilt and fear. His beheading of John the Baptist looms large in his conscience, and this guilt complicates his understanding of Jesus. He is caught in a web of curiosity and dread, embodying a common human reaction to the divine: an instinctive fear of what it means to encounter something greater than oneself.

This perplexity resonates with humanity's ongoing search for meaning and understanding in the face of the divine. People often wrestle with the implications of faith, the challenge of accepting truths that disrupt their established worldviews. Herod’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of superficial engagement with the divine, urging individuals to confront their own beliefs honestly. In a world filled with competing claims to truth, Herod’s bewilderment remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of faith and the necessity of seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus, who invites all to explore the depths of His mystery. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

09-26-2024 Luke 9 V-0709

**Greatly Perplexed was Herod**

In the shadows of the palace, whispers fill the air,

King Herod sits in silence, burdened by despair.

Tales of wondrous miracles, of healings and of grace,

Speak of a man named Jesus, whose fame begins to pace.

“Is this John, risen from the dead?” he ponders in his mind,

Or prophet long foretold, with mysteries entwined?

Elijah come to wander, or a voice from days of old,

The truth slips through his fingers, like grains of shifting gold.

His heart is steeped in turmoil, a storm of doubt and fear,

For the echoes of his past ring hauntingly near.

The blood upon his conscience, the weight of every sin,

As he seeks to grasp the fleeting, the truth that lies within.

Oh, the perplexity of kings, when faced with heaven’s light,

The clash of earthly power against the sacred might.

In the stillness of that moment, he yearns to understand,

The one who stirs the waters, the healer of the land.

In every heart there lingers, that question, deep and wide,

Who is this man of wonders, who walks the waterside?

As Herod seeks the answers, in shadows cast by doubt,

May we, too, find our courage, to seek the truth about.

For Jesus calls us forward, beyond the veil of fear,

To know the heart of mercy, to draw the Savior near.

In the perplexity of life, may we find grace to see,

The One who holds all answers, our hope, our mystery. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

September 26, 2024 @ 05:47 AM EST

® Universal Utterings is brought to you by;

**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], mailed to 1350 Aldo Rd. Babson Park, FL 33827, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**