27 Nov All on the Line
Read: Mark 6:14-29
Last Sunday we saw how Jesus persevered in his mission in the face of staunch rejection. This Sunday Will Jackson, Crosspoint’s Director of Operations, will preach on the testimony of John the Baptist and his martyrdom for the glory of God in Mark 6:14-29. As you prepare your heart for our corporate gathering, let these words from Dr. Akin challenge and encourage you.
Heart Preparation
Herod feared displeasing his wife and losing face with man more than he feared God. Pride took him down, just like it did Satan and Adam. Herodias feared and hated John because he was right and she knew it. John was a nuisance to her conscience and a cancer to her reputation. He had to go. His head on a platter would solve all her problems, or at least she thought so. Isn’t it amazing that John the Baptist was declared by Jesus to be the last and greatest prophet? Yet John died in his early 30s, never performed a single miracle, and had a public ministry that lasted only about a year. Bad things do happen to good people. Life is often unfair. The righteous do suffer. And yes, sometimes good things happen to bad people. But never forget, God sees. He knows!
“When Jesus heard about it, He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone” ( Matt 14:13). There is no doubt He was grieved, He was hurt, and He wept. And He would not forget! Note Jesus’ opinion of Herod: “He said to them, ‘Go tell that fox, “Look! I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete My work”’” ( Luke 13:32). And when the two met ( Luke 23:8-9), the encounter revealed this tension: “Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him. So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.”
Death cannot silence a life. Murdering someone will not put an end to their testimony. Remember the saying, “Even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith” ( Heb 11:4). Today no one names their son Herod. Millions, on the other hand, bear the name of John. One’s tombstone may serve as a trumpet, one’s grave a megaphone of a life well lived for the glory of a great King whose name is Jesus. Throughout history the message of the martyrs continues to ring loud and clear. These choice servants of Jesus are a wonderful source of strength and encouragement. None fulfills that assignment better than John the Baptist. Herod and Herodias may have received his head on a platter, but our Lord received his soul into heaven for all eternity. John lost his head, but Herod and Herodias lost their souls. In the end there is no question who won and who lost. Bad things do happen to good people. But great things happen to godly people who put it all on the line, even their head on a platter, for the truth of God’s Word and the glory of His name!
Excerpt from Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus In Mark, by Daniel L. Akin, pp. 133-134.
Song List for Sunday:
- Shout Hosanna, by Kristian Stanfill
- Whom Shall I Fear, by Chris Tomlin
- Cornerstone, Shane and Shane arrangement
- Now Why This Fear, by Sovereign Grace Music
- Reign In Us, Shane and Shane arrangement