Even if it Costs

 

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

EVEN IF IT COSTS

 

Mark 6:16-20

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!" 17 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. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

NIV

Oh, the power of a woman scorned is at work here. But more importantly is the power of evil, the power of one who is completely self-serving, self-absorbed in the worldly affairs is completely opposed to that which is right, just, and holy. John had been preaching the message of repentance to make way for the Lord, or the Messiah, within the framework of repentance, John spoke again the situation that Herod had taken his brother’s wife as his own. From the historians we have learned that Philip who was actually named Herod Phillip was supposed to be the heir to the thorn of Herod the Great, however, he fell out of favor and his brother Herod Antipas became the heir and became the King of Judea. It certainly appears that this divorce and remarriage was instituted by Herodias as her ex-husband did not inherit his father’s throne and therefore lack both the position and wealth that Herod Antipas had. Of course, Antipas would have had to play a role in this, putting aside or divorcing his wife in favor of Herodias. This would make some headlines today if this situation happened within a royal or high standing political family. However, it was not right in the eyes of John the Baptist and he makes it clear what he thought. What we have, at this point is a recalling of an event that happened prior to this very public ministry of Jesus. Mark is recalling this because Herod had heard about Jesus because His name had become well-known. Therefore, Mark goes back and gives this account of how John the Baptist ended up dead, so that Herod thought that John had come back from the dead. Because of the statements against the marriage of Herod and Herodias, Herod gave orders to bind him and put him in prison. This goes against everything we believe in free speech in our culture. There are still countries in the world today that imprison those who speak against the rulers, the government. But John’s free speech was going to get his head removed because of the scorn of a woman. What do we learn here? It would seem we would have to go to the word and find that verse that says that a husband must love his wife as Christ loves the church, ready and willing to lay his life down for his wife. That is treat her with the utmost respect, and adore her, love her so much so that her scorn will never be aimed in our direction. But more importantly, she would never ever, invoke scorn on anyone, but live the life as a believer in Jesus, being much like the woman of the 31^st proverb. There is no doubt, Herodias played her hand well moving from her failed husband to his brother, the king. But it was still up to Herod for all that happened and still, he did not stand up for what is right concerning John the Baptist. This should teach us, that we should always stand up for what is right, even if it cost us something. John the Baptist did stand up and spoke up for righteousness and it cost him his life. In our country we may never lose our life for speaking up, standing up for righteousness, but nevertheless, we can do no less than speak up and stand up for that which is right, and against that which is wrong, even if it costs.