March 2, 2012 What Did He Hear?

What Did He Hear?

Mark 6:19-20 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

YOU SEE in this short account a man of power who had absolutely no power over evil.
Herod Antipas was a king over Galilee and the area of the Decapolis. Galilee, of course, is the home territory of John the Baptist and Jesus. This is the same Herod whom Jesus is sent to at his “trial”.
Herod had great power to create beautiful gardens. He built cities and transformed ordinary villages into extraordinary visual splendor. He moved men and earth, but he couldn’t move his heart to the right.
John preached to him—told him how evil he was to marry Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John apparently had discussions with Herod. Herod “liked to listen to him”, but Herod heard nothng he would like to do. Herod’s desire was to please the sinful lusts of Herodias. Herod’s desire was to please the sinful lusts of his heart. He heard the word of God, the Law of Moses, straight from the greatest prophet of all; yet, he said, “No thank you. This isn’t for me.”
It’s easy to condemn him, isn’t it? C’mon Herod, the word of God was right in your face! You denied it! You disdained it! You preferred your sinful heart over God’s heart! You deserved to die for your sins, Herod!
Oh, wait a minute. What did I do about what God was saying to me in his Word today? What did I do about the sermon I heard last week? What did I do about my sin?


Pause and consider how you and I deserve to die for our sins, but Jesus did, instead.