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MARTYRDOM
MONDAY, JANUARY 31
Mark 6:14-29

Matthew 5:10-12

 

“…It is John, whom I beheaded…”

 

MARTYRDOM
 
Many Christians today are persecuted for their faith. Many have been beheaded by terrorists. Many are forced to worship secretly because Christianity is made illegal.
 
Here we find Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) playing the devil’s advocate. Jesus called him “that fox” (Luke 13:32), for he was a cunning and crafty fellow. Jesus had become famous for His message and ministry, and Herod was wondering who He was. He mistakenly thought it was John the Baptist for he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead” (Mark 6:16). Perhaps, he thought John had returned to haunt him. Why did Herod have John killed? It was because John rebuked him for his sin, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18). John lived in the light but Herod lived in darkness. Those who believe in a lie, live in darkness, and they are afraid of those who live in the light. So, Herod had John arrested and imprisoned. The wicked will not punish liars who flatter and deceive, but preachers of the truth who rebuke sin and error.
 
Herodias, an adulteress herself, was partner in crime. Like Jezebel, she hated the Lord’s prophet. She wanted John killed for exposing her sin. She wickedly schemed to trick Herod into sentencing John to death. Not only that, she wanted John executed in a certain way—to have his head chopped off and served on a platter (Mark 6:25).
 
Not only John, but many Christians have suffered most cruel deaths in the hands of very wicked unbelievers. But Christ will come one day to judge the wicked, and reward His martyrs, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev 20:4).
 
THOUGHT: The cross first, then the crown.
PRAYER: (Pray for grace to confess Christ and never deny Him in the face of death.)

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