When We Refuse God Long Enough

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Title: When We Refuse God Long Enough ------------------- Date: 1/18/2003
Keywords: "fear" "paranoia"
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Passage: Mark 6:14-29*

14. And King Herod heard of it [the fact that Jesus’ disciples were going about casting out demons and healing people], for [Jesus’] name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."

15. But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."

16. But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!"

17. For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.

18. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife."

19. Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;

20. for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.

21. A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;

22. and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."

23. And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom."

24. And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

25. Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

26. And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.

27. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,

28. and brought his head on a platter, and give it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

29. When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.

Questions

1. Why did God permit the death of John the Baptist?

 

2. Why did God permit a person like Herod to retain power?

 

Practical help

Paranoia can result from the chronic over-riding of the conscience. King Herod seemed to have an interest in spiritual questions at first. After all he considered John the Baptist’s words and didn’t reject them outright. Many rulers would not have even gone that far, believing themselves to be almost deity and not needing the help of others — especially lower class riffraff like John.

On the other hand, Herod never responded to John the Baptist’s call to repent and be baptized. Obviously he thought he had a lot he could loose. Are you like Herod? Does it seem that the "price" you are called to pay to follow Jesus, is just too much? After all , what about this free and easy life of pleasure from porn surfing?

It is frankly a legitimate question, so allow me to give you a serious answer. Deciding whether to live a life like Herod’s or the Baptist’s depends on knowing what the future will bring. Contrary to popular opinion, the outcome is in fact available if you read the Bible and take it’s words to heart. Knowing that in the end, you will not keep anything you accumulate in this world, doesn’t it make sense to pursue things that will last? And I’m not just talking about eternal life. What about leaving behind a good reputation or influence for those who will come after you? Would you like to be remembered as a person who made a difference in the lives of others, or as someone who just consumed resources — even at the expense of others?

Finally, don’t forget paranoia. A life of running from God might appear like a happy existence on the outside. Herod was certainly feared and even possibly admired by many in his day. However, he actually appears from this story to have been loaded down with unresolvable fears.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."