Mark chapter 6 verses 17-20 (NIV)
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.
Mark chapter 6 verses 25 – 26 (NIV)
At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a dish.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
There are many things we can learn from this account. Its not enough to listen to a sermon, or even feel good about it after we have heard it. Herod feared John and even protected him. He also liked to listen to what he had to say. But he refused to do what John had to say. So, because he never changed, he wouldn’t do the right thing when his wife seized her chance to get killed. He was the king but he wasn’t bold enough to refuse his niece’s request. He was more interested in saving face.
Its not enough for us to enjoy a good sermon, and to say we believe in what the Bible says, if we don’t respond to the message and to what God is saying to us. If we don’t then we can’t expect the courage and strength that is available to us when we are obedient and walk in the ways God wants us to. That’s when we often find ourselves wanting to save face, instead of being bold enough to do the right thing. There will be plenty of people like Herodias who will want to catch us out, and who may even hold a grudge against us, but its better that we behave like John the Baptist than Herod. If we do, we can trust that God will be with us no matter what.
Dear Lord,
Help me to always do the right thing, no matter what it costs even if I am in the minority. Its not what others think that count, its being obedient to You. I ask for the strength and courage to do so, even in the face of opposition. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.