PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 6:21-29
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26)
Herod acts like a strong leader, but here he is not so strong and free!
He is not so free after all; he is a slave to his fears and desires.
Why do we do things we shouldn’t do, or not do what we should do?
We claim that we want to be free, but how much of our life is forced on us?
How much does external pressure prompt our behaviour…
…to be thought well of by others, or to save face, or to improve our standing?
As Jesus followers, we have surrendered ourselves to a new master.
This sounds restricting, but it is actually liberating.
We are free from the pressure to do what others expect of us.
We are free from Satan’s accusations and enticements.
He still tries, but now we can refuse them with Jesus’ help!
Herod did what he didn’t want to do, because he felt pressured to.
In Jesus we have the motivation and the support to do the right thing.
But only if we have surrendered to Jesus as our new master!
PRAYER
Lord, there is no freedom apart from surrender to you. Any other master but you – including myself – will only make my life unbearable.
“The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” Herod knew it was wrong – he was distressed and never expected this to happen – but he could not face being humbled – so he gave the order and had John executed – for no just reason! I’m thinking – my pride and stupid actions can also get me in trouble – and when I learn of my mistake – I must be humbled and own up to my stupidity and not do something that I know is wrong! I’m thinking of how God himself warned Cain – sin is crouching at your door – sin can crouch at my door. Oh, Holy Spirit work in my heart and keep me alert to my own destructive willful ways! Make me ever attune to the tyranny of sinful and stupid thoughts and ways! Lord Jesus I want to be pure!
One would think that a king could do whatever, since he is king. He, like ordinary people, also succumb to outside pressures, acting out of fear what others may think or wanting not to disappoint or keeping word to a rash promise, trying to impress. How to impress others even though one knows that his actions were not right. Fearing mankind, Herod chose the wrong over the right. He did not fear God. At all times I need to think before I speak. Guard one’s tongue for it gets people into trouble. I need God’s approval, doing His will, and not man’s approval. I must be a servant of the King.
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too
We are pilgrims on the journey
We are travellers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
I will hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too