Unlimited: The Death of John the Baptist
Apr 9, 2024 2320
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.
Finally, the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
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 platter.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So, he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb (Mark 6:19–29, NIV).
King Herod had John the Baptist imprisoned. He is fearful and confused by John the Baptist, but tried to please his fiancée, Herodias.
John, who was the forerunner of Christ, is also his forerunner in his death.
It’s interesting how people respond when faced with truth.
King Herod was puzzled by John, because John challenged his worldview. He was intrigued by John. He liked to listen to him. Deep down, he knew John was right.
But still, when it came to a choice between pleasing Herodias or saving John, he chose to have John killed. His decision led to the death of John the Baptist.
It’s always been like that.
John, whom Jesus said was the greatest man who ever lived, was killed for the sake of a dance.
The most valuable thing in the world is truth. Yet, it is too often sacrificed for a trifle.
You know Jesus. You know the Gospel.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: What are the insignificant things for which you are sacrificing truth in your life? Set aside a special time to surrender those unimportant things to the most important one of all: Jesus Christ and his love for you displayed at Calvary.
Ketchakah
Nov 19, 2023
I was once driving down a road near my home with a friend. Near this place was a gated community where there were many multi million dollar homes. My friend remarked "You can really tell the ""Haves"" from the Have nots"" To this statement I replied, "One is only a "Have not" if One wants what the "Haves" have. With faith, The Creator provides what we need and we are satisficed with that provision, we are truly one of the "Haves" Ahoh Ketchakah
Bwebwentekaai Bob Kabuati
Oct 1, 2022
Thank you for the devotional thought - I think of the 'Sabbath', God's holy sababth. There are two lots of Christians today, one lot 'sabbath' on Sunday and another lot of Christians 'sabbath' on Saturday. Surely there can't be two Sabbaths of Exodus 20:10 - http://bibleencyclopedia.com/kjv/KJV_Exodus_20-10.jpg. If I were to add one or two pronouns here - Eli’s Reflection: What are the insignificant things for which 'we' are sacrificing truth in 'our' life? Set aside a special time to surrender those unimportant things to the most important one of all: Jesus Christ and his love for 'us' displayed at Calvary.
Jane
Apr 10, 2024
Some people are not happy with what the have - they want more; something 'bigger and better' and so on. I'm trying to process this without knocking the desires of the heart because, no doubt we all want what is nice, but not at the cost of someone else's lack or suffering. Not at the cost of denying Truth. I want Truth. I want Jesus. I don't want John's head on a platter. I refuse to dance. I want the Crown of. Life Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. All good things will He provide for us, His children, if only we ask Him in prayer. Father God, thank You for leading me on - through sunshine and storm, through rugged, choppy seas and calm; for never letting the enemy take my life. Please strengthen me in heart and mind, strengthen my body, my will, my love and my desire to always stand for You. For Truth. You said, I have carved yiu in the palm of My hand. Keep my eyes on the Prize, Jesus. Let me never, no matter what the cost, abandon myself for a head. Show us all that no matter the haves or have nots we are all the same. It's not the outer coat but the inner garment that covered ourvsin that counts us blesed in all things. Amen.