Good Morning Friends,
No one likes to be told that they are sinners especially in earshot of others. The opportunities around such a situation can lead the unscrupulous to schemes of emotional blackmail. People of faith can be manipulated by such situations. In fact, they may be particularly vulnerable to such people. That is why we must be careful what we promise and circumspect regarding what feelings others stir up in us. Success here hinges on our relationships and if we can answer in the affirmative today’s question. Are We Prepared Emotionally To Please God?
Scripture: For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 (NRSV)
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Mark 6:17-29 (NRSV)
Message: John the Baptist was a man of deep integrity and was a person prepared emotionally to please God. He lived a life of victory, not that of a victim. However, he was so committed to God that it cost him his life. But he was no fool for giving up what he could not keep, to gain what he could not lose. He was radical and countercultural in his lifestyle and what he taught. And he was fearlessness in the face of adversity. John’s message was tough – he did not mince his words – and inevitably this brought him into conflict with the authorities – which in this case was the local king Herod Antipas. But there is more to today’s story than John the Baptist being brave and outspoken and eventually getting his head cut off. There is the reality of how people around him interacted. There is King Herod and Herodias and Salome her daughter. Now what is interesting here is that King Herod had some respect and interest in John the Baptist. I think he was disinclined to murder John. Herod could not bring himself to do that without some manipulation of others. Our reading gives us enough insight to understand that Herod listened to John but that was not enough to forestall the furious and deep held hatred for John that Herodias exhibits. She wanted John dead. Her chance came at a festive celebration of the king’s birthday. Herodias’ daughter Salome entered the gathering and performed a very seductive dance for the enjoyment of the king and his guests. It pleased the king so much that he announced to Salome in the presence of the guests to ask any favor that she desired, and he would fulfill it. The pure arrogance and self-serving approach Herodias takes to challenge the king is a bit disgusting. Salome went to her mother and asked what favor she should seek from the king. Herodias saw her chance and jumped at it. She told Salome to seek the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. The character and behavior exhibited in this story should give us pause for such people still live today and seek revenge and the manipulation of others even in authority all for their own evil designs. Friends, out of the hearts of people come evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. I pray you never lose your head as a victim of one of these wolves. So, prepare yourself. Believe in Christ even if you have not found all that you are looking for out of life.
And So, equipping emotionally takes time. But in this way things are redeemed. Friends, Jesus reversed the curse of Eden and the way, truth and life of His spirit filled teachings are to guide us. But it must be from the inside out for things to work well. And that means our emotions must have the character of a victor not a victim. We are to show forth the image of Christ in us through ministry. We are to reveal a divine peace of mind in troubled times. We are to show the image of Jesus by investing into the lives of others. We are to be active in prayer for others and be honest that we are all prone to sin and laziness so must be filled with the spirit of Jesus to make an impact. Whoever wants to be in ministry must be moved deeply by the word of God so that it becomes incarnate in one’s daily life. Living life in relationship with Jesus is critical. Loving God and loving our neighbors is critical. Be responsible and keep working for the glory of God, for our time is short. And sometimes we may not win all the battles. Choose your fights carefully.
Pray we be awake, alert, and safe and thankful. Pray we be sober, vigilant avoiding the dangers of evil. Pray we are passionate and kind but not prone to work oneself up in a frenzy. Pray we be very careful to avoid pursuit of any wrongful desires and especially because we think our status gives us any leverage to do so. Pray we be faithful servants doing as we have been instructed. Pray we realize that the authority we have been given belongs to the Lord. Pray the communities in which we live are Spirit-filled and the gifts of the Holy Spirit saturate us with the stewardship of much grace. Pray we are led by the whole truth. Pray we realize that the whole truth is the person and purpose of Jesus. Pray we have discernment. Pray we be about the Lord’s business until we are called home. Pray we enter the joy of the Lord when the time comes and we are greeted with the acknowledgement, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Pray we glorify God. Pray our emotions become our servants and not our masters. Pray we are good examples for others. Pray we feel ordinary love each day.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 