For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
Key Thought
Unfortunately, over the years, way too many of Jesus’ followers have lost their courage to tell the truth and have become puppets of political correctness — either the “correctness” of the popular culture or of the religious culture in which they found themselves. John spoke the truth. He spoke the same truth no matter the power of the person listening to his message and the potential danger he might encounter for his proclamation. I cannot think of many things more needed in our time than this kind of courage.
Today’s Prayer
O Father in heaven, give all of us the courage as Christian witnesses to tell your truth in love no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves and regardless of the consequences we may encounter for declaring your message. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 7:16-19Galatians 1:101 Thessalonians 1:4-6Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.