December 11 - Approved Persecution

Acts 12:1-5

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. (Acts 12:1 ESV)

James was John's brother. He was one of the first disciples. He was also one of the first martyrs.

Herod arrested a few leaders from the young church. He saw how it pleased the jealous Jews and so he smelled blood in the water. He began a campaign of terror against the Christians, seeking to gain approval from the countrymen that had shunned his family's rule for so long.

It had little to do with beliefs. It wasn't about money, not for Herod. It was about popularity. It was about political power.

The wheels of opinion have long since shifted in America. Once secularist ideas have become commonly held world views. Things that shocked and stunned a few decades ago, are now embraced, promoted, and legitimized. As this trend continues there may come a day, some would argue that it is already here, when Christians are outright persecuted. It may happen simply so a politician can gain, or keep, the spotlight.

The possibility of persecution will not thwart the authentic followers of Jesus. It will instead galvanize the Bride of Christ to shine with the true love of Jesus. It will shine bright. It will draw people away from darkness and into the family of God.

October 2 - Antipas' Anticipation

Luke 23:6-16

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. (Luke 23:8 ESV)

The Herodian Dynasty was a puppet government established to keep the Jews in check during Roman rule. Herod Antipas was the king during the time of Jesus' public ministry. And, having heard much about the mysterious Galilean teacher, Herod was very interested in seeing Jesus for himself.

Herod even asked the right questions. Was Jesus a king? Did Jesus have the power perform the supernatural? The tragic truth of Herod's investigation lies in the reality that he asked all of the right questions without any of the right motivations. Herod was not interested in finding God. Herod was concerned with finding out if this self-proclaimed "Son of God" could help Herod. Much like the Pharisees and scribes before, Herod wanted to see a sign. He wanted a magic trick. He wanted proof laid before his eyes that Jesus' claims were legit.

I have talked with a number of people in recent years who's views are eerily similar to Herod Antipas'. They are interested in Jesus as a kind of intellectual discovery. They want to know if he can prove himself to them. I believe he can, and often does, but typically only when one is willing to remove their pride and look at the world with some humility and objectivity.

It is pretty safe to say that Herod's anticipation ended with disappointment. But Jesus is only disappointing to those who refuse to see him for who he is.

March 31 - Another Tomb

Read: Mark 6:21-29 & Matthew 14:1-12

When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6:29 ESV)

Herod married his sister in law. That's pretty weird. But he did. And John the Baptizer called him out about it. Which promptly landed John in prison. It eventually cost him his life. Herod had John beheaded in the prison at the behest of his niece-turned-stepdaughter.

When John's disciples found out they collected the body (minus the head) and buried him in a tomb. John was the greatest man to ever live, but he was just a man. He would stay dead. He would stay in his tomb.

Jesus was understandably sad about the death of his cousin, friend, and colleage. Ultimately he would face a similar fate for his continued stance against the Pharisees and their damnable corruption. However, Jesus' tomb was only borrowed, and that for just a few days. Because as the sun came up that first Easter Sunday morning the Son of Man came out of the tomb.

It's rare in America for believers to face the threat of death for taking a hard stand for the truth. However, a day may come when we do. If whether, at home, or abroad we sometime find ourselves facing death for the truth of the Gospel, we may wind up in another tomb. But Jesus holds the keys to death, hell, and the grave. He holds the keys to our future and our foundation. We can rest well and easy in him.

March 30 - Gladly Perplexed

Read: Mark 6:14-20

When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. (Mark 6:20b ESV)

Herod just didn't get it. He didn't know how to take John, didn't know who he was, what he was up to, or why he was so perplexed. Ultimately he threw John in prison for his preaching against Herod's sinful lifestyle. Yet even after that he regarded John as a holy man.

The cool thing about John is that he modeled exactly what Jesus wanted out of the disciples. John went before Jesus preparing people for the Kingdom of God, just as the disciples were charged to do when they were sent out, and just as we are charged to do today. John did it with great gusto.

Even today we can share the truth of the Gospel in a way that is perplexing to people. In fact, I completely believe that when we actually commit ourselves to lovingly sharing the fullness of the Good News it will perplex people. It will cause them to begin to question things in their lives that are out of order, and that separate them from God's truth.

Unfortunately Herod did not ultimately respond to the Gospel in a positive way, but that didn't keep John the Baptizer from sharing the fullness of truth. As you share your faith with those around you may not be met with positive response either. You might meet some gladly perplexed people too. Press on. Keep sharing. It is worth it.