In The Word
Read: Matthew 13:53-14:12
Jesus Revisits Nazareth
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 And He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, with the result that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man acquire this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” 57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
John the Baptist Beheaded
14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.8 And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests.10 He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Yahshua and John the Baptist were two very anointed and powerful men of God. The first part of our reading teaches us that many times people reject the teachings and the healings from God when it’s brought through a familiar vessel. The people knew what Yahshua was teaching was very powerful, but they couldn’t get past the familiarity of watching Jesus grow up and knowing His family so well. This produced an unbelief that hindered the work of God.
The second part of the reading teaches us that many times people with the heart to change reject the teachings of God because those teachings challenge the way they are living. Herod and Herodias knew that being together was wrong and adulterous, but they didn’t want to change or be called out on it. They arrested and eventually killed John the Baptist, because he called them out on their sin. What they could not understand was that John was sent by God to be honest with them, to keep them from judgment, and to bring them life. But because of pride, emotional ties, and an unwillingness to repent, they rejected God’s help and killed His servant.
Are we humble enough to receive from someone close to us? If you are married, can you receive from your spouse? If not, then you will miss so many opportunities to learn and be touched by God with healing, comfort, and encouragement. Does it irritate you when someone, through the Word, challenges the way you are living your life? If so, then humble yourself to realize it is God’s love and grace that you are rejecting. We all should be willing to hear God’s truth and receive God’s help from whatever vessel He chooses.