DON'T KILL THE DOCTOR

MUSINGS - October 12, 2018

DON'T KILL THE DOCTOR

Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, because Jesus' name had become well-known. Some people were saying, "John the Baptizer has come back to life. That's why he has the power to perform these miracles." Others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet like one of the other prophets." But when Herod heard about it, he said, "I had John's head cut off, and he has come back to life!" Herod had sent men who had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison. Herod did that for Herodias, whom he had married. (She used to be his brother Philip's wife.) John had been telling Herod, "It's not right for you to be married to your brother's wife." So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she wasn't allowed to do it because Herod was afraid of John. Herod knew that John was a fair and holy man, so he protected him. When he listened to John, he would become very disturbed, and yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity finally came on Herod's birthday. Herod gave a dinner for his top officials, army officers, and the most important people of Galilee. His daughter, that is, Herodias' daughter, came in and danced. Herod and his guests were delighted with her. The king told the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." He swore an oath to her: "I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom." So she went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother said, "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." So the girl hurried back to the king with her request. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter at once." The king deeply regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he didn't want to refuse her. Immediately, the king sent a guard and ordered him to bring John's head. The guard cut off John's head in prison. Then he brought the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came for his body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus cried, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you!"* Things seldom go well for those who go against the will of those in power. Modern day "whistle blowers" may not be physically destroyed, but those with power will certainly seek to destroy their credibility and attempt to censure them or imprison them. This was true in the past, is still true today, and will remain true until the LORD comes.

We humans don't like to have our faults cruises and secrets exposed. However, admitting our sins is the first step that each of must take on the road to salvation. Understanding that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 2:23) includes yourself isn't an easy pill to swallow. If you deny the sickness you will never see the cure. Don't kill the doctor who diagnosed the disease but seek his help.

*Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34

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