Not a Juggler Nor a Magician

Recently examining the story of blind Bartimaeus,  I read:

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Mark 10:46 (ESV)

Bartimaeus had heard that it was Jesus, he saw that Jesus was Messiah and responded by asking for mercy thus giving over his heart.  

Let's consider another interaction and it's very different outcome.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. Luke 23:8 (ESV)

In this encounter, Herod Antipas had also heard of Jesus - or heard about Him. Jesus' reputation proceeded Him. Herod wanted to see a miracle or a sign, not because he believed Jesus to be Messiah but because he wanted to be entertained. He was ready for the show rather than to have his heart changed.

And Jesus' response in the next verse - silence. 

Herod saw nothing. He responded with mocking contempt.

I  can be critical of Herod whose hard heart missed the Savior who stood right before him. I can seek to look for Jesus in the midst of the crowd of people and thoughts that fill my days to overflowing. But sometimes, if I am really honest with myself, I can look for the Miracle Juggler to step in and fix my situation, to erase the trial, to provide the flash rather than the substance.  

But Jesus was always about the substance, so Herod didn't get to see a miracle or sign from their encounter.  

Am I willing to wait for the substance? To let my heart be changed, my character developed  and see the Messiah for who He is? To allow Him to work in and through me? 

 Not always, but I want to be.