Luke 8:11-15 Jesus warns us of the leaven of Herod.
Matthew 14: 1-12 & Mark 6:14-32 give us a look into Herod’s heart. He was controlled by fear. Matthew 14:5 tells us he feared the multitude. Mark 6:14-32 tells us he was afraid of John. This fear of man was a snare in Herod’s heart, that ultimately had John killed, and Jesus mocked and treated with contempt.
In Luke 13:31-35 Jesus called him a fox and contrasted His own care for Jerusalem as a mother hen, gathering her chicks under her wings. Herod never got to see a miracle or sign performed by Jesus, but even worse, Jesus wouldn’t speak a word in his presence. See Luke 23:8
The leaven of Herod is a fear of man that is a trap. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare; but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
Jesus’ warning in Mark 8:15 “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” Is as strong a warning to His disciples today, as it was then.
There is the potential in our relationship with Jesus to have a little bit of this leaven of the fear of man, that, if left alone and not repented from, will grow and eventually trap us or ensnare us into treating Jesus, His Word, and the Holy Spirit with contempt as it did for Herod.
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