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It was the summer before my senior year and it was time for the infamous senior pictures. With my curling iron, changes of clothes, and makeup bag in hand, mom and I headed to the studio.
We had met the photographer before as he had taken our school pictures several times. He was a nice guy and showed me several options he thought would be a good fit for me. I chose a couple of them and we set to work. When we were coming to a close, he said, “You know, I think you’ve got what it takes to be a model for me.”
Me?
Really?
With my mouth hung open, my eyes darted to my mom, and she too was shocked. We both smiled and I said, “Really? You think so?”
He said, “Of course! I’ve got some products I need a model for and then it will be in a magazine.”
A magazine! Can you believe it?!
He walked away to go get the magazine to show me and mom and I looked at each other and giggled. Let’s be honest, this was a big deal! Nothing like this had ever happened to me. To think, he wanted me to model for him out of all the girls that had come to have their pictures done.
He returned with the magazine, “Found it!” And as he got closer and opened the pages, my heart dropped.
Potty chairs lined the pages. It was a magazine for medical equipment.
The smile on his face and the laughter revealed what a big joke it had been. I tried to play it cool and laugh it off too, but man, that was a terrible joke on a teenage girl.
My mom was not happy.
I really thought he had chosen me. But it was all a big joke to him.
Luke 23:7-11
“And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.”
Herod.
The very one that had killed John the Baptist. He perked up with excitement that Jesus was before him. He had heard of Jesus before. He knew of the miracles He had performed.
When you first read that, did you have a tiny bit of hope in your heart for Herod? Like, did this man really want to see Jesus?
And then you continue reading and realize what a big joke Herod thought it to be.
He mocked Jesus and laughed at Him. Even putting a royal robe on Him since He was being accused of being the King of the Jews.
What a disappointment. If only He had truly wanted Jesus for more than a performer.
How do we come to Jesus? Are we like Herod and simply want Him for His performance? If we’re being honest, “What can Jesus do for me?” is the question many of us ask ourselves.
How disappointing that must be to the Father.
Lord, forgive us. Your grace is enough. Even if all of those other things are never done, you are enough.
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