Instruction
Scripture: Mark6:14-29
The events of Mark 6 take place right before a series of
miracles and times of teaching in which he reveals that he will suffer and die.
In the death of John the Baptist we have a foreshadowing of that event, and a
warning regarding the hostility the world has toward God, his word, and his
messengers. In a secondary way, this passage displays the destructive power
human lust has and how damaging it can be to those who give in to its
enticements and those around them.
Teaching
John the Baptist ran afoul King Herod when he confronted
Herod regarding Herodias. Strange relationships are not unknown among royalty,
but Herodias has been married to Herod’s half-brother, Philip, and was,
herself, both Herod and Philip’s niece. He wanted her, though, and married her.
Herodias’s daughter (still related) was said to have danced
for Herod and the guests. This was likely not a cute little folk dance. Swollen
with drink and lust, Herod offered her up to half the kingdom. She asked for
John’s head … on a platter.
As bizarre as this seems to us modern readers, this is an
example of the destructive power of unchecked lust. And as surely as John died
because of the lusts of the Herodians, Jesus died because of ours. The
difference being that Jesus died to save us from ours and free us so that we
might live holy lives.
Life
What lusts drive us? Food? Sex? Pleasure? Success? Comfort?
Power? Each of these can be good gifts from God, but when they are uprooted
from God’s design for them and our desire for them outweighs our obedience to
or dependence on him they will surely destroy us and others will be hurt in the
process. Jesus’ death freed us from the driving power of our lusts so that we
might live as God’s people. Examine your desires. Confess your lusts to God,
and strive against them. Then let your confidence be the freeing forgiveness
Jesus won for you.
Prayer
This prayer is in the
themes of Confession and Thanksgiving.
Lord God, we want what we want, and too often what we want
is not good for us and rebels against your will for us. We confess that our
desires often drive us to do things that hurt us, others, and our relationship
with you. Please forgive us. We have taken your good gifts and used them
according to our own will instead of your design. We eat when we’re not hungry.
We accept sex outside of marriage as a normal part of life. We allow pleasures,
entertainment, and comfort to keep us from you. Forgive us, please. For Jesus’
sake cleanse us of our sin and set our hearts to desire your good will.
Lord Jesus, we thank you that you willingly bore our lusts
to the cross and died there for our sins. Thank you for bearing the opposition
of people like the Herodians, scribes, and Pharisees. Thank you for being
patient with us as we sometimes oppose you. You always love us and desire our
good, even when we would rather pursue earthly pleasure. Thank you. Our
gratitude for all you have done is so small compared to the sacrifice you made,
but we are grateful. Thank you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your
loving work to free us from our sin and to sustain us in the new life you have
given us. Amen.
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