Word@Work 069 - Mark 6:14-16
Published: Mon, 02/25/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 6:14-16 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!" (NIV)
Jesus was getting well known, liked, respected and feared. But who was He? The opinions were a 'prophet', Elijah or John the Baptist. Now, King Herod (the son of Herod the Great who killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem), had recently killed John the Baptist: his guilty conscience opted for John, who had come back to haunt him.
"Who is Jesus?" This is a different question to, "Who is Jesus like?" All God's servants have some of the characteristics of Jesus - they have God's same Holy Spirit in them. But Jesus had all the fullness of God (Col 1v19). So, He spoke with wisdom like the prophets, he did miracles like Elijah, and he confronted consciences like John the Baptist. But even John the Baptist had his own conscience tested by Jesus (Mark 1v7).
When Jesus is present, he challenges the conscience. And the same is true when His representatives (like John the Baptist, or you!) stand for what is right. The light reveals what is hiding in the darkness; and that can be very disturbing. The good news is that a disturbed conscience can be the start of finding a new life in Christ. But don't be surprised if you are not flavour of the month, in the meantime.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit so that I can become more like Jesus. Help me to allow you to work through my life, so that Your light might fall in the dark places around me. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Jesus was getting well known, liked, respected and feared. But who was He? The opinions were a 'prophet', Elijah or John the Baptist. Now, King Herod (the son of Herod the Great who killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem), had recently killed John the Baptist: his guilty conscience opted for John, who had come back to haunt him.
"Who is Jesus?" This is a different question to, "Who is Jesus like?" All God's servants have some of the characteristics of Jesus - they have God's same Holy Spirit in them. But Jesus had all the fullness of God (Col 1v19). So, He spoke with wisdom like the prophets, he did miracles like Elijah, and he confronted consciences like John the Baptist. But even John the Baptist had his own conscience tested by Jesus (Mark 1v7).
When Jesus is present, he challenges the conscience. And the same is true when His representatives (like John the Baptist, or you!) stand for what is right. The light reveals what is hiding in the darkness; and that can be very disturbing. The good news is that a disturbed conscience can be the start of finding a new life in Christ. But don't be surprised if you are not flavour of the month, in the meantime.
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit so that I can become more like Jesus. Help me to allow you to work through my life, so that Your light might fall in the dark places around me. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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