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The Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Today’s Reading: Mark 6:14-29
Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. (Mark 6:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We’ve heard it all week. Those who think they are righteous, persecute those who are truly righteous only by God’s Word. Now we have the example of a preacher of righteousness, John the Baptist, who was beheaded, not even by a man who thought he was godly, but just a cruel and wicked king who had John beheaded because his stepdaughter danced provocatively!
John the Baptist, the greatest of all the prophets, did not live to see Jesus die and rise for sinners. It hardly seems fair that the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness—the prophet sent to prepare the way of the Lord, who pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God—died in such a wicked and brutal way.
But John’s death reminds us that this world hates the Lord. It has turned its back on its Creator, despised and rejected its Savior and wanted no part of the Spirit’s preaching in the Church. It’s a wonder anyone is saved! Christ Himself went to death in this way, was arrested, beaten, and condemned by wicked men. For what reason? So that the Father will no longer count any of that wickedness against us! By Christ’s death, our Jesus-rejecting hearts have been cleaned.
John’s being beheaded reminds us of something: in the body of Christ, Jesus Himself is our Head! Our Lord, Master, Teacher, Rabbi, Savior and King. What John lost on this earth, his head and his life, is given back in infinite and eternal blessings through Jesus, our Head and life everlasting. John bears witness to this until he and all of God’s saints are raised again on the Last Day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Our thanks for John the Baptist Who, till his dying day, Made straight paths for the Savior And heralded His way! In witnessing to Jesus Through times of threat or shame May we with faith and courage The Lamb of God proclaim. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 518:24)
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By Higher Things®Today’s Reading: Mark 6:14-29
Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:42-12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. (Mark 6:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We’ve heard it all week. Those who think they are righteous, persecute those who are truly righteous only by God’s Word. Now we have the example of a preacher of righteousness, John the Baptist, who was beheaded, not even by a man who thought he was godly, but just a cruel and wicked king who had John beheaded because his stepdaughter danced provocatively!
John the Baptist, the greatest of all the prophets, did not live to see Jesus die and rise for sinners. It hardly seems fair that the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness—the prophet sent to prepare the way of the Lord, who pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God—died in such a wicked and brutal way.
But John’s death reminds us that this world hates the Lord. It has turned its back on its Creator, despised and rejected its Savior and wanted no part of the Spirit’s preaching in the Church. It’s a wonder anyone is saved! Christ Himself went to death in this way, was arrested, beaten, and condemned by wicked men. For what reason? So that the Father will no longer count any of that wickedness against us! By Christ’s death, our Jesus-rejecting hearts have been cleaned.
John’s being beheaded reminds us of something: in the body of Christ, Jesus Himself is our Head! Our Lord, Master, Teacher, Rabbi, Savior and King. What John lost on this earth, his head and his life, is given back in infinite and eternal blessings through Jesus, our Head and life everlasting. John bears witness to this until he and all of God’s saints are raised again on the Last Day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Our thanks for John the Baptist Who, till his dying day, Made straight paths for the Savior And heralded His way! In witnessing to Jesus Through times of threat or shame May we with faith and courage The Lamb of God proclaim. (By All Your Saints in Warfare, LSB 518:24)