Trick Monkey

## Zippy the Chimp and the Banana Paycheck

Zippy the performing chimp was one feature on the Howdy Doody Show back in the 1950’s. I had a Zip Monkey stuffed animal as a kid. He wore red suspenders and a yellow shirt that said “ZIP” across the front. The real Zippy was taught to roller skate and ride a bike. They dressed Zippy in all kinds of clothes and even taught him to smoke cigarettes; and he did all that just to get bananas at the end of the act. Most of us have been to the circus or seen one on tv and watched massive and dangerous animals perform tricks on cue. One in the audience is heard saying, “How do they get those animals to do all that stuff?!” Well, animals are really no different than people, are they? They’re doing what they’re told for reward; which is usually food. Their motivation is a paycheck of some kind, and whoever has the paycheck or the banana has the control.

## Herod’s Circus

Mel Gibson’s 2004 Passion of The Christ movie portrays Herod’s lair as a bit of a circus. It was full of stumbling drunken freaks in extravagant clothing and makeup and piercings. He was the Hollywood star of his day. As Jesus was brought before him in chains, Herod had a leopard on a huge chain leash. He slapped on a sideways wig before talking to Jesus. Though he was “King Herod”, he was nothing but a partying jokester unable to weigh heavy matters and came across as a flamboyant nut. So why did he want to yank Jesus’ chain? What did he want from Jesus? Herod found out that day that Jesus is not some trick monkey on roller skates. He can’t be controlled. He’s not working for our bananas or applause every time we yank His chain.

Jesus answered the questions of the Jewish Council and Pilate but ignored Herod’s. They asked, “Who are You?” Herod was not interested in knowing Him.

## Self-Check

Are you just yanking Jesus’ chain? Are you just looking for a trick monkey to perform for you? Do you throw Him the occasional equivalent of bananas in the offering plate hoping to see a sign done by Him? Are you approaching Him for tricks like Herod or to know

## Him like Pilate?

## The Pinnacle Moment