14 King Herod heard that Jesus’s name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised” Mark 6:14-16.
This short text puts the question to us, if we desire or design to be kingdom-agents in our own world, what should we be doing, that the powers of the world would hear about it and scratch their heads in puzzlement? And are we prepared for the result?
Mark is quite clear what will happen to people who announce, and inaugurate, God's kingdom. The present story of John, including Herod's garbled and muddled thinking, points forward to the greater story that is yet to come. Herod is wrong, but not completely wrong; for in Jesus the resurrection power of God is indeed at work - not because he's John, back from the dead, but because He is the one through whom, not very long from now, death will indeed be overcome. The mighty works Jesus is doing at the moment, taking on the kingdom of darkness and beating it, will reach their climax in his personal decisive confrontation with that kingdom. But first He, like John, must suffer a cruel and unjust death.
Christians in many parts of today's world still face torture and death for their faith. How willing are you and I to live in such a way that people are drawn to Christ? Not by our words alone, but mostly by our behavior?
Today, pray that you will live in such a way that others will be moved to turn to Christ! Pray that no one will ever have to ask you if you’re a Christian!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” Matthew 16:24.
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” 1 Peter 2:21.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.
“And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him’” 1 John 2:3-4.
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