In Mark 6:14-16, Herod said of Jesus that He was John the Baptist risen from the dead. There is a very peculiar phrase in Mark 6:14, however, where Herod states, "Therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him." It seems that Herod knew that only someone who had risen from the dead could have done these mighty works which Jesus did! Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead, because, in his conscious, he knew that supernatural power could only come from someone who was supernatural, and what is more supernatural and powerful than resurrection from physical death! Herod understood deep within his soul that only someone who had power over death could do great miracles.

Herod understood that in order to have the power of God, you must be resurrected! Jesus was not resurrected at this time, but the power of the resurrection had already filled Him, therefore He could do the works of one who was resurrected from the dead. We need to take Herod's idea and examine our own faith in light of this evil man's understanding of a simple gospel truth: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, and mighty works will show forth themselves in us if we would just believe in Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to deliver us from sin and death and sanctify us to the service of God's holy calling.

The gospel is the power of God, and only when we ourselves are resurrected in Christ through repentance and faith in His blood and resurrection will we receive the power necessary to break down the gates of hell and defeat all spiritual foes. Because He has risen from the dead, we can expect Him to do something mighty in us. Once we are dead, He can live in us! Jesus will not improve our life, but will replace our sinful dead life with His eternal and immortal life! Glory to God! Unfortunately, Herod didn't look to Jesus, but stayed focus on Jesus' herald. Let's not make the same mistake, hallelujah! Praise the LORD Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God!