Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 9:7-9; Mark 6:14-29; Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15; Mark 6:45-52; Matthew 14:22-33; John 6:16-21; Marl 6:53-66; Matthew 14:34-36
How many times have I opened my mouth and either stated my opinion, offered to help, or made a commitment to someone, and then when the heat of the moment fades I’m left saying, “Did I really say that?”
But
the
good news
I never lost my head because of one of my “Oops, did I really say that?” moments.
For Herod had sent men to take John and put him into prison. He did this because of his wife, Herodias. She had been the wife of his brother Philip. John the Baptist had said to Herod, “It is wrong for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias became angry with him. She wanted to have John the Baptist killed but she could not. Herod was afraid of John. He knew he was a good man and right with God, and he kept John from being hurt or killed. He liked to listen to John preach. But when he did, he became troubled.
Then Herodias found a way to have John killed. Herod gave a big supper on his birthday. He asked the leaders of the country and army captains and the leaders of Galilee to come. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced before them. This made Herod and his friends happy. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” Then he made a promise to her, “Whatever you ask for, I will give it to you. I will give you even half of my nation.” She went to her mother and asked, “What should I ask for?” The mother answered, “I want the head of John the Baptist.” At once the girl went to Herod. She said, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a plate now.”
Herod was very sorry. He had to do it because of his promise and because of those who ate with him. At once he sent one of his soldiers and told him to bring the head of John the Baptist. The soldier went to the prison and cut off John’s head. He took John’s head in on a plate and gave it to the girl. The girl gave it to her mother. John’s followers heard this. They went and took his body and buried it. –Mark 6:17-29
Herod was most likely showing off when he said, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”
Human beings do this all the time. “Look at me! I’m important!”
And then when we come to our senses and realize what we said or promised we either have to follow through or say, “I was stupid and my ego made me say that.”
The sad thing is, just like Herod, too many times we do things that aren’t pleasing to God because we fear the opinions of others more than the opinion of the God of the Universe.
For me there are two lessons to learn from King Herod:
- I need to think before I speak
- It would be better to look stupid to others than to go against my Heavenly Father
Lord, help me to think before I speak. I want my words and actions to be pleasing to you. Heavenly Father, forgive me for choosing others over You. When I ignore Your will and Your Word, it must make you feel as though people are more important than You. Lord, teach me Your ways.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: John 6:22-71; Mark 7:1-23; Matthew 15:1-20
