Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you should stand up for the truth, but you hesitated? Maybe it was gossip, a false story, or pressure to compromise your convictions. That’s hard enough when the cost is just awkwardness or reputation. But what if the cost was much higher—your friends, your job, even your life? That’s the question before us in Mark 6, where we find the horrific story of John the Baptist’s death. At first it feels like an interruption, but Mark has placed it here—sandwiched between the disciples being sent out and their return—to remind us that proclaiming the message of the King comes with a cost. To follow Jesus will bring rejection, and the question is: will you compromise, or will you stand courageously?

John the Baptist stood courageously. He confronted King Herod and Herodias over their adulterous and scandalous marriage, even though he knew it could cost him everything. Herodias raged against him, Herod feared him, and yet John would not stop speaking truth. In fact, Herod himself was haunted by John. He feared him, respected him, even listened to him gladly, summoning him from prison to hear him preach. But like so many today, Herod was intrigued by God’s Word without submitting to it. His conscience was pricked, but he would not yield. Church, that is a warning to us—hell will be filled with people who enjoyed listening to Jesus but never surrendered to Him as Lord.

Herod’s cowardice is exposed in his birthday feast. Manipulated by Herodias through her daughter’s seductive dance, he makes a rash vow to save face before his guests. Though he knows John is innocent, he gives in to the pressure of the crowd. What happened? Every time Herod ignored the truth, he turned down the volume of his conscience until it was silent. And unless God’s Word is shaping our conscience, we too will cave under pressure. We will fear man instead of fearing God. Church, do not let that happen. Tune your conscience to the voice of Scripture, so when the moment comes to stand, you can stand with courage.

John’s faithfulness cost him his head, but it also pointed beyond himself to Jesus—the greater King who would also be condemned unjustly by a cowardly ruler. But unlike John, Jesus did not stay in the tomb. On the third day, He rose, conquering sin, death, and Satan. And because Jesus triumphed, we know the cost of following Him is worth it. Herod received his reward—the fleeting praise of men. John received his reward—the eternal presence of Christ. So the question remains: who will you follow? If you’ve compromised, run to Jesus in repentance, rest in His grace, and rise up refreshed by His resurrection power to live courageously this week. Because Christ has conquered the grave, we can live courageously for the King.

Main Idea – Because Christ has conquered the grave, we can courageously follow Him, even if we face rejection.