Words and actions show people for what they areas we learn from Mark 6:14-29.
The people saw and heard the things Jesus and His disciples did and all of them had different ideas about who Jesus was and where these miraculous powers came from, verses 14-15.
When people look at us and our lives do they see the power of Jesus at work and honor Him because of it?
News of what had been happening reached King Herod’s ears. And he feared John the Baptist whom he had beheaded had been raised from the dead, verse 16.
Guilt can often make a person believe things that are not true.
John’s message produced not repentance but resentment and a guilty conscience in Herod and Herodias, verses 17 -19.
What response does our message and lifestyle produce in others?
Herodias nursed a grudge against John the Baptist for speaking the truth, verse 19. Her grudge grew so great she wanted to kill him but could not find the opportunity because Herod ‘feared John and protected him’ verse 20.
How do you respond when someone points out your sins? Is it with bitterness and a desire to get even? Do you hold a grudge against that person for telling the truth? Or do you respond with repentance and a change of attitude, putting away those sins which have been highlighted?
King Herod was so pleased with the dancing of the daughter of Herodias that he promised to give her whatever she asked, verse 23. Herod shows here the danger of putting the mouth into gear before engaging the brain.
Do we speak before we have thought through the consequences of our words? Do we make rash promises?
Herodias waited her time and when the opportunity came, she seized it. She told her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod was distressed by this request but because he had made this rash promise publicly he thought he could not back down at this point without losing face in front of his guests, verse 26.
Have you ever made a rash promise and then afterwards regretted it, but felt unable to back away from it?
John the Baptist suffered the consequences of another’s sin, verses 27-28.
We never sin in isolation. Our words can have a profound effect on others. Our sin can have far reaching consequences for others. We need to always be aware of how our words and actions affect the lives of those around us.
When John’s disciples heard what had happened to John they came ‘and took his body and laid it in a tomb,’ verse 29. Their actions reveal the love and esteem in which they held John.
What do our actions reveal about us?
All Bible verses from the New International Version
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