John is Murdered

Fears that hinder our faith

There has always been much adversity when it comes to truth being known and lived out in our day when it is contrary to the lifestyles that one may desire to live in. we are fine with it until it conflicts with the lifestyle choice we want to endeavor into. This becomes a dangerous road for one to head down for it only leads to greater rebellion and guilt for the choices we make. Herod being the perfect example of this and his wife Herodias. Before we see Jesus rejected by His own people for the truth He represented and now John being imprisoned and killed for standing for the truth when the recipients didn’t want to here it.,

We as followers of Christ have many fears when it comes to our walk with Jesus. One is the fear of rejection but nevertheless this was a reality that Jesus himself lived and is no different for His followers. It is bound to happen and may be by those we love the most. So through Jesus example it shouldn’t hinder our efforts to try and reach the lost. Another fear we have is that it may cost us the things that are dearest to us in order to follow Him. For John the Baptist it was his life. When these are no longer fears that run our life it is when we are freed from the chains that bind our lives to see where true life is found. In essence we see and live for the TRUTH.

This is a life no longer bound in fear but freed to see the source of true life.

Read .

Pray.

What we have here is another one of the famous accounts where Mark sandwiches a story within a story.

After Jesus marveled at the unbelief of HIs home town Mark tells us that He then goes about the villages in circuit teaching.

He calls the twelve and sends them out two by two to proclaim the truth of the times. The message of John the Baptist. Repent for the kingdom of Heaven has come. Performing the signs to authenticate the words in which they were proclaiming. Give power and authority by God in order to perform such things.

There is no doubt that asJesus sent his disciples out to testify of the times in which the people lived and how they need to repent. This was the message of John the Baptist. The coming kingdom.

He was growing their faith as He sent them out even against the common fears that overtake us all.

What will we eat?

Where will we sleep?

How will we survive?

He was not only the God of the wind and sea, the God that could make the lame walk and the blind see, but He was also the God who could provide the essential needs of servants on duty.

Do you believe that He is able to meet your needs while you serve Him?]

seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

We have fears of lack of provision but God it the source of all provision. The problem comes where we draw the line at essential and where God draws the line.

He is able to meet our needs while we serve…the question comes will we trust and obey? Will we go despite some fears that overtake us?

As the disciples go out and word of Jesus begins to spread it reaches the ears of King Herod.

Reminds me of the passage when Jesus asks His disciples, “who do men say that i am?”

For King Herod begins to fear that it is John the Baptist alive from the dead.

The guilty conscience of King Herod began to weigh heavy upon his shoulders for the sins which he had committed. He knows that he had done wrong.

John a man of God who stood for truth, would advocate unto those who needed it.

We dont know how the account goes but we know that John confronted King Herod with his sin.

He testifies that it was not lawful to marry your brothers wife.

For this reason he was imprisoned. King Herod was not the driving force of this but rather his wife Herodias.

Herodias wanted Johns head and she was going to get it. This broad was ticked that John had stood where he did on the matter.

The only thing she was lacking was power. Her will was ready, now she must give place to opportunity in order to strike.

Herod protected him knowing that He was a just and holy man.

It even appears the King Herod would secretly get away to hear what John the Baptist had to say. And actually heard him gladly.

King Herod was a follower. To his down fall. He would be brought back into the powerful pull of his wives evil grasp to do as she wanted though he had the power.

If you are waiting for the crowds to be the ones to lead you to Christ you are waiting for an event that will never take place.

Matthew 7:13 NKJV

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

The slippery slope of sin is accompanied by the many rather than the few. The whole way down they will pat you on the back as long as you part-take in their sins.

So the opportune day came it reads in v.21.

Birthday of the king who was around all the nobles, high officers and chief men of Galilee. He was around the crowd of power.

So the young of daughter of Herodias came and performed before the men and pleased them all greatly. so King Herod told her that she could have anything she wanted up to half of his kingdom.

The young girl then went and asked her mother what she should do and now the verdict is given. Give me the head of John the Baptist.

IT says that he was exceedingly sorry in V.26 yet because of his word and because of those with him he did not want to refuse her.

So the king sent for the head of John the Baptist.

The disciples then come back and share all the things that they had done and what they had taught. Jesus then pulls them away to rest for the mission they were on did not even allow time to eat. It was busy.

We see even here rest is a necessity in ministering. But let us also note it was for a while not a life time. The resting was for the purpose to recoup and go back out. whatever the necessary time is.

Now as we read this account their is a glaring truth that bubbles to the top that i see.

We are to ultimately live at the expenditure of the Father for His glory in standing for the Truth in word and deed.

This is with things we do and the things we say.

AS seeing and knowing the truth we now live and breath the truth.

No matter the outcome that it may play in our lives

AS advocates of the truth this will flesh itself out in two areas. The truth of God and the reality of our sin.

We are the ambassadors of God commanded to go unto the world. We have been commission like the 12 twelve disciples to go and proclaim the truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 corinthians 5:17-

As the people of God we have the obligation, the duty, and the privilege of proclaiming and standing for truth despite who it is to and how they will receive it. This is because we know it was the truth that has set us free and once you know the truth you cannot conceal but reveal that others may know the truth no matter the cost.

Advocates for the Truth know the cost.

It is those that have joyfully counted the cost are the ones to whom the freedom has come to serve in the power of God. This life is no longer my life.

It was for Truth and its blantant stance against sin that got John imprisoned.

It wasn’t for being evil and working works of wickedness for even King Herod knew he was a just man.

But there comes a time where the people of God must make a stance against sin which is a stance for truth.

When it comes to the Gospel we must uphold it.

When it comes to Marriage.

When it comes to the importance of Life which has begun at the earliest of ages to the oldest.

When it comes to the churchy sins we must identify them.

We have become a church of compromise across America. In our walks with God, in our missional efforts, and in our stances against sin publicly and privately.

It was for the truth of sin that cost John his life.

It was for the call of truth to be known is what sent the disiciples out.

Are you willing to give your life to the call of Truth?

Are you willing to allow it to do surgery on your own heart before it is uttered to others?

This means getting real with sin in your life before you go and testify of the freedom that Christ has over sin.

Jesus Testified that He was the TRUTH. He was truth in flesh.

For me to live is Christ and die is gain.

When my number 1 is Christ, then when i lose anything else its not so painful for it was a lesser thing. My life was not wrapped up in those things but rather in Christ.

My time, my talents, my money, my possessions, my family, my dreams, my desires, and my passions not lay down at the altar to be used at the Fathers will.

This is what truly breeds a thankful heart. We live in a culture were we celebrate a time of thanksgiving but most of the time is celebrated in division and selfishness. We want happiness that we think breeds a thankful heart but in all the wrong things.

When you know the Truth and you walk in it you have so much to be thankful for.

For if you find your self in poverty, sickness, calamity you are able to rejoice.

You live in clarity even in the midst of the fog. WE live with certainty in the midst of uncertainty.

When i stand for Christ the TRUTH, it may mean imprisonment. When its him i live for then i will be content and able to rejoice even when i dont always understand.

SO the question comes

Will I live at the expenditure of the Father for His glory in standing for the Truth in word and deed.

Continue to recap what was just read.

there is no doubt that Jesus has sent us out today as his representatives into the world.

This is the mission of every believer.

He was growing their faith as He sent them out even against the common fears that overtake us all.

What will we eat?

Where will we sleep?

How will we survive?

He was not only the God of the wind and sea, the God that could make the lame walk and the blind see, but He was also the God who could provide the essential needs of servants on duty.

Will I make a stand against sin and a stand for God.

Do you believe that He is able to meet your needs while you serve Him?]

seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Will the Word of God and His truth be the authority for my life.

We have fears of lack of provision but God it the source of all provision. The problem comes where we draw the line at essential and where God draws the line.

Will i seek it out personally and not just have to be spoon fed.

For you will come across those that will lead you astray if you are not careful. Know the Truth and walk in it.

He is able to meet our needs while we serve…the question comes will we trust and obey? Will we go despite some fears that overtake us?

Be bold for Christ.

He can take care of our provisions. when the culture threatens them.

When we are imprisoned God will use it. Not because we are rebellious in evil but rebellious against wickedness.

The lord of your savings account?

The Lord of your house?

As these preachers go out word spreads and it catches the ear of king Herod who has a very guilty conscience for the sins in which he has committed.

King Herod believes this Jesus is a resurrected form of John the Baptist.