21 Finally, the opportunity came. Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his nobles and officers and the leading men of the Galil. 22 The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, and she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want; I will give it to you”; 23 and he made a vow to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She said, “The head of Yochanan the Immerser.” 25 At once the daughter hurried back to the king and announced her request: “I want you to give me right now on a platter the head of Yochanan the Immerser.” 26 Herod was appalled; but out of regard for the oaths he had sworn before his dinner guests, he did not want to break his word to her. 27 So the king immediately sent a soldier from his personal guard with orders to bring Yochanan’s head. The soldier went and beheaded Yochanan in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When Yochanan’s talmidim heard of it, they came and took the body and laid it in a grave.
The Passion of Saint John the Baptist (Memorial)When Herod heard John speak, he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. (Mark 6:20)
When was the last time you met a passionate person? Maybe that person had a new baby or grandchild. Maybe the person was excited about a new project he was working on. Perhaps she was on fire for a new ministry or volunteer opportunity. Something about him or her emanated excitement. He radiated joy and enthusiasm. She just couldn’t stop talking about the object of her passion. And it was contagious.
Today’s feast refers to the “passion” of John’s martyrdom. But John certainly displayed another kind of “passion” as well: enthusiastic devotion. His love for God and hunger for Israel to return to righteousness drove him to live an ascetic life in the desert, preaching repentance and baptizing people to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah.
John wasn’t passionate about attaining comfort or fame; he only wanted to point the way to Jesus. And as happens with anyone with passion, people were drawn to him.
Even Herod couldn’t stay away from John. It’s quite revealing that even though John zealously condemned Herod’s actions, Herod kept coming to listen to him—even in the prison of his own palace! John’s passion for the truth, for loving and serving God, was like a magnet drawing the king. That’s what passion does. It attracts other people by its enthusiasm and love.
Jesus wants all his disciples to be passionate, to be bursting with his life. He knows that our own zealous pursuit of him can be a catalyst that draws people to him. So let Jesus set a fire in your heart today. Spend time with him; get to know him better. The more you experience his presence and his grace, the more excited you will become about him. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done; Jesus is attractive enough to melt—and ignite—every human heart. Let him fill you with his love so that you will overflow to all the people around you. His light shining through you is the best possible testimony!
“Lord, fill me with passion for you. May my life draw everyone I meet to you.” Amen!
1 Thessalonians 4:9 Concerning love for the brothers we do not need to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other; 10 and you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do it even more.
11 Also, make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind your own business and to earn your living by your own efforts — just as we told you.
Psalm 98:(0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment