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Gospel: Luke 9: 7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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The story does not end well for King Herod.
He’s already made a series of horrible choices, including the beheading of John the Baptist, a decision he made while he was drunk.
But we’ve captured Herod at an interesting point in his journey; he’s “perplexed” – haunted – by John. He loved listening to him.
Even after John’s death, the Gospel tells us, “Herod kept trying to see him.” Meaning, he was still intrigued by John’s message of repentance and the coming of the Lord.
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That, to me, represents where so many in our world are at.
Thankfully, few in our world are as deranged as Herod. But many are “perplexed” by the Gospel message; they’re interested, but undecided.
Faith can seem risky; difficult; life-changing… It is!
Just consider the ramifications that faith would’ve brought into Herod’s life. For starters, he would’ve had to stop living with his brother’s wife and repent for the murder of an innocent man, John the Baptist!
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How has my own life changed as a result of accepting the faith? And how do we encourage others in their own faith journeys?
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May we be emboldened by the life and ministry of John the Baptist, who was never afraid to live the truth and to share it, even at great personal cost.
Your witness just may change a life for the better.
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Image credits: (1) (2) Ideapod (3) SeekGrowlLove.com