Herod is another character that can give a false impression.  He too was a man that held a position of power.  For a brief moment it seemed that he had the opportunity to do the right thing and let Jesus go.  However, Herod was deficient in character.  Not necessarily in the same ways as Pilate, but deficient none-the-less.

When Jesus was brought before Herod we are told that he, “was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him (Jesus), and hoped to see some miracle done by Him.”  It is implied that Herod was not looking for the truth, he was looking for a performance.

We are also told that, “he (Herod) questioned Him (Jesus) with many words, but He answered him nothing.  And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.  Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.”

Herod stands as a representative for those that want Jesus on their own terms.  They are not interested in seeking the truth.  They do not want to be changed. They do not want to put out any effort.  They do not want to assume any responsibility.  They want Jesus to perform.  In essence, they are looking for a genie in a bottle.

I can envision Jesus standing before Herod in the presence of His accusers.  I can feel the frustration that Herod must have had as he endured the accusations by the religious leaders.  He was not interested in the accusations.  Nor was he interested in Jesus’ guilt or innocence.  He wanted to see a little magic.

When it became painfully obvious that Jesus was not going to participate, Herod ridiculed Him, then dismissed Him.  We are not given much insight into Herod’s inquiry, but I imagine the conversation being quite different than the conversation Jesus had with Pilate.  I imagine there was more coaxing Jesus to perform some miracle than there was an investigation into whether the claims brought against Him were true of false.

Pilate discovered the truth, but lacked the courage to do what was right.  Herod never cared what the truth was.  He had no intention of trying to do what was right.  He had his own agenda and He wanted Jesus to get on board.

Man people have walked away from a relationship with Christ because they had a preconceived idea of what they wanted.  Then, when they did not get what they wanted, how they wanted, when they wanted, they walked away.  Never caring to know the truth, but disappointed that Jesus did not perform.