Mark 6:14-29
Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.
Read Mark 6:14-29 taking note of any feelings or questions that arise.
Herod Antipas (Herod the Tetrarch), the youngest son of Herod the Great, was a shifty character who wasn’t deemed fit by his father to rule more than a couple of provinces. From what we see of him in the Gospels, his desires dictated his actions and he was quick to indulge them. It seems he kept John the Baptist around for entertainment, and in spite of his curiosity Herod had no intention of changing any of his behavior.
But what happened here? John the Baptizer was the forerunner of the Messiah, and because of an embarrassing situation for Herod, he lost his life in a split second.
Read Mark 6:14-29 again and see if any other feelings or questions arise in you.
There are a multitude of blessings and benefits we receive from our commitment to Jesus, but a carefree life is not one of them. Rather, in the midst of the uncertainty and difficulty that is part of a fallen, broken world, we have a rock-solid, unshakeable hope that Jesus loves us and is with us to the end. And someday he will make all things right on earth as they are in the kingdom of heaven.
The promise of Jesus is a life full of meaning and purpose lived in friendship and partnership with him. It is not the promise of an easy life, but of a life that is worthwhile for us and for the world.
Take a moment to examine your ideas and expectations of what life should be like as a follower of Jesus. Talk with Jesus about this openly.
If given the choice of indulging your every desire or living a worthwhile life full of meaning and purpose, which would you choose? Why?
Stories like the one of the death of John the Baptist should not evoke fear in us but rather should lead us to examine our inner motives for following Jesus. Speak to Jesus about what you have thought and felt during this meditation. Write down any questions that still linger or anything you sense Jesus might be saying to you through your time with him today.
If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.
Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.
