Image from agnusday.org
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some weresaying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ 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. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 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. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 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.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’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.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:14-29)
Good day dear Friend! Here's trusting God has richly blessed you this weekend and now you're ready to bless God! May this time of prayer and devotion speak to your head and mind, in Jesus' name, amen!
Today's passage deals with a sad chapter in Jesus' life. His cousin, John, whom we know for what he did; John the Baptist or Baptizer, meets with an early death because of his boldness in speaking the truth. John was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, but with the zeal of that call, he also knew to address the evils of the day, including the fact that their king, Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was living with the wife of his brother. They were married, but still, John saw and called it adultery. It seems that Herod could have cared less for any label thrown on him, but his wife, Herodias (poor lady and her parents' choice for a name) did not care to be called an adulteress. Yet, it was the truth and John shared it to the point that he was arrested. "Honey, I'm sick and tired of that wild man outside the palace calling us names! Have him arrested!" was probably how that day went. And still, the hatred festered in her heart. We'll rewind a bit, for the passage begins after John's death with news of Jesus' power reaching Herod. He believes him to be John the Baptist brought back to life. There was something about John that touched Herod's heart. He knew John to be a man of God and his messages "perplexed" Herod; yet he liked to hear him preach. But the day of his birthday would be the day of John the Baptist's death. Herodias, the daughter of Herodias (huh?), came and danced for her step-father, and some have said it was the Dance of the Seven Veils, I should mention other gospels have her named as Salome. Either way, the dance pleased Herod and he offered to give her anything she wanted for having danced that for him, including up to half of his kingdom. The girl goes and asks Mom what she should ask for, and for the elder Herodias it was a no-brainer; she wanted John dead. "Ask for the head of John the Baptist." And so it went. Herod hated to do it, but not willing to lose face in front of his guests, has a soldier go and fulfill the task of beheading Jesus' cousin. The humiliating touch was that Herodias wanted his head on a platter, which she got. The disciples of John came to claim his body and buried it in a tomb.
This death greatly affected Jesus as it would have any of us. Jesus loved his cousin and loved his ministry. He had been baptized by John and Jesus respected his work and word. And though John was now in God's presence, the absence here touched Jesus in a sorrowful way. John loved God so much that he was faithful to his calling and purpose, and not even the thought of death caused him to waver in that plan God had for his life. Yesterday in church, we studied Daniel, whose faith also let him continue with faithfulness towards God, and not even death in a lions' den scared nor stopped him. We, on the other hand... Some of us care about what people may think, or what friends may say. We don't want to lose our jobs or the respect of coworkers. Many are willing to compromise their faith for the sake of face, and saving face. That is not the Christian way. We place God first and we seek to please God regardless of what people may say. On that day when we stand before the Lord we want to be able to say that we stayed faithful and we spoke on God's behalf with courage and boldness. Great will be our reward, far greater than a momentary smile or nod in our favor by our so-called friends.
Seek then, dear friend, to live a life that blesses God and may perplex others.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, be blessed by my life. Strengthen me to live boldly and courageously. I seek to please You and not those around me. Let me be the voice of reason and truth, even in the face of common held misconceptions. When I feel down, lift me up with Thy encouragement. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Smile a smile of truth as you seek to please God today!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER REQUESTS/UPDATES: It was wonderful too see Mr. Bob Clark was in church yesterday and his treatments for cancer continue. May the Lord bless Bob with health. Rev. Sheldon Johnson continues to need our prayers and if so led, our support. A GoFundMe account has been started for him and if you're on FaceBook you can access it through my page. Valorie Daniel's children came up to request prayer for her during the close of worship in second service. Valorie was bitten by a copperhead this week. She is recovering at home after an overnight hospital stay. Nellie Valverde continues to heal, but has severe pain and nausea; prayers for her continued healing, please. Pray for one another, pray for yourselves.
