NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (MARK 6:14-29) LENT DAY 37

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “The death of John the Baptist.” We shall reflect on the fact that John the Baptist’s death is an example of the cost of representing God as a servant of righteousness and holiness in a corrupt and wicked world.

Beloved in the Lord, there is a cost or price to pay for representing God on earth as a vessel, instrument or a servant of righteousness and holiness. John the Baptist death came about because of his righteousness in standing for godliness and morality and living a holy life for God. Similarly, if we are truly disciples of Christ then we must also represent Him by following His example of righteousness and holiness to become the light of the World. Representing Christ by living a life of righteousness and holiness or as light of the world will surely come with a cost. Our fate may be like that of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. John spoke truth to power and he was murdered. We are told in Mark 6:17-20, “For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ 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.” Herodias eventually succeeded in having John the Baptist killed by a malicious request made through her daughter to King Herod. “The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, ²⁸ and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. (Mark 6:26-28).

Dear friend in the Lord, because John spoke the truth and exposed the immoral relationship between Herodias and King Herod he was killed. In the same manner, we must be ready to bear the cost of following Jesus Christ faithfully in the world. In Matthew 10:16-22, Jesus already made us as aware that “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Again in John 15:18-21 Jesus tells us that “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me”. Beloved in the Lord, for the fact that you are a faithful, righteous and holy disciple of Christ and have been given the mandate to expose evil, immorality, injustice and corruption, you are likely to lose your job, your spouse may divorce you, your friends will become your enemies and your life will be under threat by the wicked. Many Christians after counting the cost of following Jesus, see it to be unbearable and have rather decided to follow the lust of the world and to share in the corrupt gains of the wicked. Jesus unequivocally admonished us in Matthew 16:24-26 that “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” My dear friend, the cost of discipleship or following Jesus is a choice but for those who faithfully follow Christ it is a door to eternal life. It is for this reason that Jesus greatly assured us in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” The cost of discipleship or following Jesus will graciously end with joy and blessings, for Revelations 2:10-11 assures us that “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” My dear friend in Christ, like the death of John the Baptist, the cost of discipleship or following Jesus is worth it. It will be crowned with salvation and endless joy from the Lord.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “The death of John the Baptist” We discovered that John the Baptist’s death is an example of the cost of representing God as a servant of righteousness and holiness in a corrupt and wicked world. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to bear the cost of discipleship even as we await the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit sanctify us like John the Baptist to live a righteous and holy life to the glory of God in corrupt and wicked world. Strengthen us in times tribulations or persecutions to remain faithful to God until our last breath. Amen.