Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from the Gospel according to Mark 6: 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." 15But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed;and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 23 And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. (NRSV)
It is the fear of all sinners that our sins should come to haunt us. It matters not your station, be you a pauper or a king, for such was the case of King Herod. Herod hears that there is a man going around asking people to get right with God, namely to confess and repent of their sins. And with that message came reports that people were being healed, and the demon possessed were being set free. Herod wonders if perhaps the man doing this is not already dead. Such was the guilt Herod carried around. He was guilty of a sexual sin; that of having taken his brother's wife as his own. And in his house he also has his niece as now a stepdaughter. On his birthday, the girl dances for him and he is so pleased with the dance that he says he will give to her whatever she wants even half of the kingdom. Because John the Baptist had been denouncing Herod and this living arrangement as sinful, the mother tells her daughter to request the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Herod, grieved now that he has to kill someone, knows that because he has made an oath to this girl to give her whatever she wants, orders that it be done. It becomes for Herod a burden and a guilt that he would take to his grave.
For the sinner who comes to Christ, we have the opportunity to receive freedom and relief from the burden and guilt of our sins. Jesus Christ came to offer Himself as the sacrificial lamb to take away our sins. By faith we should confess and repent of our sins, and Christ wipes the slate clean. Our sins are forgiven and forgotten. If God has forgiven us, we move on and should not let even the memory of those sins to continue to claim hold in our lives. Reports of other confessing and repenting of their sins, should remind us that we too, have had that experience, and then we should thank God.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus and for the mercy You have shown us because of Him. May we truly repent of our sins and entrust that in Your mind and heart, there is no trace of those forgiven sins. May we seek to share the news that others can come to this new life of freedom in You through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; in whose precious name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
