Suddenly Luke switches the camera to Herod. We haven't heard about him for a long while, and we are reminded that he dealt harshly with John the Baptist. Will he try and do something similar to Jesus?
At the moment, he just seems perplexed. He's heard rumours that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. Wait a minute - when did he die? (At least, that's what you'd be saying if you only had Luke's gospel to go on - it seems that the story of his beheading when Herod was led by the nose by his wanton stepdaughter didn't make the cut in Luke's account).
Herod had a problem - he knew he was out of line with God, he'd acted to silence one critic who had publicly reminded him of the fact, and now another has popped up, just as threatening to his peace of mind, and possibly to his powerbase.
Herod needs to have people showing him proper respect, and if too many people start getting all moral and disapproving, his position as ruler might be in jeopardy. He knows deep down he's only here because the Romans tolerate him, he knows he's only playing at being a king. He is a man insecure on many levels.
Herod decides he needs to see Jesus, to check him out. But he can't just turn up at the back of the crowd. That would be undignified. But he kept trying. He needs to see Jesus. Really needs it. I don't suppose he allows himself to look at that need too closely, that's a can of worms whose lid needs to stay tightly shut.
Ironic, isn't it? The people who count themselves righteous are turning against Jesus, suspicious that he isn't playing by the rules, but Herod, who knows full well he's broken the rules, is desperate to meet him.
It seems the more sinful you know yourself to be, the more attractive Jesus appears.
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