Luke 9:1-11

“Herod said, 'I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?'" (v9).  Herod’s attitude was a preview of how the rest of the world would react to the gospel message.  Some would believe, while others would do their best to silence the messengers.  They would be “perplexed” (v7) that the gospel continued to flourish despite terrible things like John’s beheading.  Jesus told the 12 the same thing: preach the gospel, and expect the gospel to disturb the status quo (v1-6).

Despite being misunderstood, rejected, and even violently opposed, God’s message of forgiveness and hope continues to expand.