John the baptist is a pivotal character in the Gospel story. He is the one who prepares the way for Jesus. It seems that he was the Jesus' teacher, that from John Jesus gets his start and his receives his training.
Most of us know the story of John's death. Herod's step-daughter dances for Herod and his guests. Herod is so pleased he offer her whatever she wants. Upon counsel from her mother, she asks for the head of John. John is murdered; John is executed; John dies because Herod cannot figure out a way to save face in front of his guests. Mark 6 records, "And (Herod) was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her."
How often we become trapped by our words, by our oaths, by the fear of social embarrassment. We fall prey to the stereotypes and to the hype and find ourselves living the life others suggest to us rather than the life we would choose. Death comes; maybe not immediately by the chopping off of a head, but slowly as actions inform thoughts which establish beliefs.
This is not a blind endorsement for everything you learned in Sunday Church School nor is it a condemnation of everything portrayed as college life. It is encouragement to set you own path and pursue your heart's desire. It is a reminder that all too often we fail to seek the ends we value but find ourselves swept up in the mood of those around us. Like Herod, we make a comment which leads to an action which brings us sorrow. We become trapped; and rather than stand up for what we want and what we hope we go along. Death occurs.
Jesus is the Lord of life. Jesus comes among us in order that we might have life and have it abundantly. Receive this gift and use it well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment