Word@Work 070 - Mark 6:17-20
Published: Tue, 02/26/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 6:17-20 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. (NIV)
The fascinating thing about truth, is that it won't go away. Herod's marriage had problems - and they just got worse when God's man said what was true. But Herod was fascinated by John's wisdom; it was compelling, although the king could not square it with his bedroom. On the other hand, Herod's wife got one message loud and clear - if John was right then she was wrong. She hated John for speaking the mind of God, and disturbing her personal life and ambitions.
So she manipulated her husband - he thought that John's imprisonment would pacify the woman, and he could still enjoy his 'spiritual chats'. She had murder in mind. And the problem about nursing a grudge, is that you end up giving birth to it. What a different story it would have been, if the man who had been interested in truth, had submitted to it - if Herod had repented and done whatever was necessary to be in the right before God.
There is no shortage of people who are 'interested in spirituality'. Those with some previous Christian encounter: and also those who are puzzled, interested and apparently open to Biblical reason. But a willingness to have truth close at hand, is no substitute for obeying it. Indeed it may be a fatal mistake to confuse familiarity with God's Word, for a personal relationship with Him. This is a good reason to pray for colleagues, as well as to persuade them of the importance of 'doing business with God'.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for showing me that it is important to make decisions about the truth I hear. Help me to do that today, at work and in my family. May my example of obedience be the encouragement to others to do the same. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The fascinating thing about truth, is that it won't go away. Herod's marriage had problems - and they just got worse when God's man said what was true. But Herod was fascinated by John's wisdom; it was compelling, although the king could not square it with his bedroom. On the other hand, Herod's wife got one message loud and clear - if John was right then she was wrong. She hated John for speaking the mind of God, and disturbing her personal life and ambitions.
So she manipulated her husband - he thought that John's imprisonment would pacify the woman, and he could still enjoy his 'spiritual chats'. She had murder in mind. And the problem about nursing a grudge, is that you end up giving birth to it. What a different story it would have been, if the man who had been interested in truth, had submitted to it - if Herod had repented and done whatever was necessary to be in the right before God.
There is no shortage of people who are 'interested in spirituality'. Those with some previous Christian encounter: and also those who are puzzled, interested and apparently open to Biblical reason. But a willingness to have truth close at hand, is no substitute for obeying it. Indeed it may be a fatal mistake to confuse familiarity with God's Word, for a personal relationship with Him. This is a good reason to pray for colleagues, as well as to persuade them of the importance of 'doing business with God'.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for showing me that it is important to make decisions about the truth I hear. Help me to do that today, at work and in my family. May my example of obedience be the encouragement to others to do the same. In Jesus' Name. 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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