THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:19-29
“The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26)
As servants of God, we are secure within His purpose and love.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t suffer… or die.
The Deceiver cannot touch us, but he can work through others.
As he whispers his lies into people’s minds, they conceive of evil and fulfill it.
Herod’s pride and Herodias’ vengeful bitterness combine towards John’s demise.
We still suffer in this world because others are heeding Satan’s lies.
Greed, abuse, bullying, pollution, war, injustice, corruption, murder, crime.
Torn between conscience and pride, Herod chooses to save face.
When have I faced this tension between conscience and self?
The Deceiver waits for opportune times to bring me down too.
But I can’t blame him, I am responsible for my choices… like Herod was.
When facing a choice between conscience and pride, or greed, or lust, what do I choose?
Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
(James 1:14-15)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I may shake my head head at Herod’s weakness, but am I any different? In my own way I compromise my conscience too. Forgive me and help me resist the lies.
Observations/Application
Herod liked to listen to John yet when he touched his ‘Herodias’ . . . We love good preaching yet when the preaching hits the nerve of our sin, then we find another preacher. Herod imprisoned John the opportune time came for his wife. To save face Herod granted the request. His offer to the girl was unreasonable but as host he wanted to impress the guests. How often do I also do to impress and do wrong, not right.
Stand firm. Stand strong. Stand up for the Jesus Way. Always.
Do right.
SpiritLead.
GodStrong.
In all things I must live placing Jesus first.
TGIF as He is every day. I must live that way. Always.
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.