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Mark 6:14-20 - The death of John the Baptist (pt1)

This short story opens with a narrative of Herod's fear of Jesus. He was told, and believed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead - and Herod was in fear, for he himself had John beheaded.

 It goes on to recount the story - Herod imprisoned John because John told him it was unlawful to take his brother's wife as his own. Clearly, it is an act of adultery. However, Herod did fear John, and kept him under protection despite his imprisonment. He was perplexed yet glad to hear John's preaching.

 What could this really mean?

 Herod obviously acknowledges the God of John the Baptist - to fear this man and to recognise him as a prophet of God.

 However, he is the passive believer. He hears the Word of God, yet does not act on it.

 Don't many of us?

 We claim to believe in God. Some of us really do. However, we hear but we do not act; we know but we do not obey.

 What kind of faith is that?

 Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 This is the Word of the Lord Himself.


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