THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-20
“When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:20)
Something about John – and Jesus – got under Herod’s skin.
He was both intrigued and unsettled (puzzled) by them, by their message.
He puts John in prison, but continues to enjoy listening to him.
I believe it is the ring of truth that draws people to Jesus (and John).
And it is conviction that gets the guard up, and holds them back.
What Jesus said and did exposes our own hearts and motives and sins.
Through the centuries, people have remained intrigued by Jesus.
And yet so many refuse to accept Him, or His message.
Like Herod, we lock Him in safe theological prisons, or locked away in church.
We like to listen to Him, but don’t want Him to get too close.
We want Jesus, but we want Him safe, not too challenging.
Conviction happens when Jesus gets too close to us, and exposes us.
As unsettling as this may be, it is the best thing people.
It is better that we die to ourselves, than that we kill the Voice of Jesus.
His message is good and necessary, His truth will set you free…
But only if we let Jesus loose to do His work in our hearts.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, liking to listen to You is not enough. Help me to open my heart to Your message, and allow it to change my life.
Observations/Application
Hearing the Word is good. Many people like to hear the word of a preacher also today because of his style, eloquence, ‘hitting the nail on the head’. We always seem to say – so and so should have been in church to hear the sermon. But when that word spoken hits us, ouch! Bind that word out. Prison for John the Baptist. A new church for me? Stop going to church? Start a new church. Replace the minister?
Herod like to hear John at arm’s length. His wife wanted to kill John. Their life was contrary to God’s Word.
And I?
How does His Word apply to me?
It must – at Timothy 3:16 tells me
‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.’
Listen and do. Choose the right Way and live for Jesus. Always.
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
3
All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.