In The Word
Read: Mark 6:7-30
The Twelve Sent Out
7 And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they were to take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— 9 but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not wear two tunics.” 10 And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.11 Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 And they went out and preached that people are to repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.
John’s Fate Recalled
14 And King Herod heard about it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”16 But when Herod heard about it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”
17 For Herod himself had sent men and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so; 20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he used to enjoy listening to him. 21 An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And although the king was very sorry, because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and carried away his body, and laid it in a tomb.
30 The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In today’s passage we read about the twelve disciples being sent out to do God’s work, and about the fate of John the Baptist at King Herod’s hand. The key I would like us to recognize between these stories is the unwavering devotion to God that these Godly men had. When we read what Christ is saying to the disciples, it should really grab our attention. It doesn’t say that the disciples were issued a mattress and pillow to stay comfortable on their journey, but says quite the opposite. This is truly a reality check.
How often do we complain about it being too hot in church, or complain when we have to show up an hour early? Do we forget that it says in 1 Peter 3:14 and 4:14 that it is an honor for us to suffer for our Father? The men in the Bible gave their lives as living sacrifices and died all for God’s glory without complaining. As men and women of God, we oftentimes have to adjust our perspective when it comes to serving. We must daily remind ourselves that just like believers in the Bible, we will encounter suffering in our lives. We have to remember that the reason we serve isn’t out of routine or duty, but because we know what God has saved us from. Henceforth, out of love, we serve Him.