Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Talk Tuesday-The Complexity of Sin; Herodias' Fury

Before we begin our next instalment, we at BGO would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones in Beirut, France, Kenya and Nigeria to terrorist activities over the last few months. We pray for the peace of Christ to comfort the hearts of those who mourn, and we pray for the salvation of those who so brutally took the lives of many. “9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves,” Romans 12:9-10. “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another,” Romans 12:15-16.

Last week we looked at the entanglement of sin and pride, and the internal conflict that sin brings. We explored how sin affected Herod, and influenced his relationship with John The Baptist (Mark 6:17-26). This week, we will look at Herodias' response.

“18 For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.' 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him,” Mark 6:18-19 (NIV). The New Jerusalem Bible states, “As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him,” (Mark 6:19). Why does she care? Isn't she already 'married' to Herod-her husband's brother? Aren't they at a pinnacle of worldly power and position? No one can stop them now. Then why do John's words and his lawful stance antagonize her to the point of murderous fury?

When we are doing something wrong, we often feel conviction in our hearts. Yet, if we are determined to proceed, we harden our hearts and then become very defensive if anyone points it out to us. I have been there...I'm sure we have all been there! Why do we respond like that if we have already made up our minds to do as we wish? Have you ever cut a friend off for holding you accountable and speaking the truth in love? Sin, unchecked, blinds and corrupts us from the inside out. Sin is proud, demanding that others respect it and honour its unsavoury decisions. Herodias' response to John The Baptist gives us insight into how sin darkens the heart. So what can we do, if we find ourselves entangled in sin's web? It always starts with a thought...

Thank you to all who took the time out last week to contribute to the discussion on our website (www.biblegrouponline.com)! Please join us this week and share your thoughts about Herodias, sin, and what can we do to stop ourselves or help a friend who is caught up in sin's trap? Click on the comments link below.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Talk Tuesday-The Complexity of Sin; King Herod vs. John The Baptist

Have you ever found yourself entangled in a sin so complex that what appeared sweet in the beginning turned bitter in the end? Have you ever found yourself making excuses for your actions, justifying your choices despite the protestations of those whose Godly counsel you sought out in the past? How did you treat your 'trusted advisors' once you made up your mind to continue in your rebellion? I can speak from past experience-badly. I can recall becoming very defensive, antagonistic and even distancing myself from them, all the while stubbornly clinging to my will. I can recall struggling with that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach-that sense of knowing that I was not in the will of GOD, not acting according to His Word, yet charging forward to my eventual fall. I would imagine it was the same for King Herod too.

“17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.' 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled ; yet he liked to listen to him.” Mark 6:17-20

Why did Herod feel the need to retaliate against John for speaking the truth? What was it that drew him to John? Or, what was it about what John may have said that appealed to Herod's heart? How could he like listening to the man who condemned his actions? Most striking of all, is Herod's obvious distress when Herodias' daughter asks for John's head on a platter, after dancing for him at his banquet. In front of all his guests, he magnanimously told her to ask anything of him, and it would be given to her.

“25  At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: 'I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” Mark 6:25-26

Why didn't he, Herod the King, refuse her request and what does it tell us about sin? Firstly, it is complex. It attacks us spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and physically, leaving us in turmoil. It enslaves us, propelling us on a downward trajectory towards destruction. It is appealing, sweet in the mouth, bitter in the stomach. It also has a snowball effect, starting small and growing more powerful as we continue to engage in it. Finally, it leaves us feeling that there is no way out. It also seems inextricably linked to pride. What are your thoughts about sin? Can you relate to Herod's struggle? Add your comments and feedback either below or at www.biblegrouponline.com under the comments section. Join us next week as we look into John the Baptist's message of repentance!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Talk Tuesday - The Complexity of Sin

Join us for our new journey into the Word of God as we examine the complexity of sin through the lens of John The Baptist's interaction with King Herod. We will be focusing on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6, verses 17 through 29 (Mark 6:17-29). We will explore each person's interaction with sin, the outcome and how it applies to our lives today.

There is John The Baptist, whose message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2. He was sent as, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness; 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight,'” Matthew 3:3 (Isaiah 40:3). John's mandate was to call men and women to confess their sin and to turn away from it. His was to prepare hearts for the coming of the One (JESUS CHRIST) whose ultimate sacrifice would obliterate the very wages of sin-death.

There is King Herod who, “... himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife,'”  Mark 6:17-18. The fact that his sin had been called out by John, seemed to affect him greatly-it moved him to action, yet as we shall see, he is very conflicted.

Then there is Herodias, who, “... nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him,” Mark 6:19-20. She appears to be so set in her sin and her intention to continue her illicit relationship, that the very mention of it brings out murderous rage in her heart towards John the Baptist. However, here we see Herod's confusion and inner conflict. He imprisons John, but protects him from the wrath of Herodias; he does not understand his words yet he likes to listen to him speak. He inherently knows John to be righteous and holy.

Lastly, there is the daughter of Herodias, whose actions and loyalty to her mother, prove to the be the catalyst for John's death. How does her mother's sin affect her daughter's decision?

In preparation for this new series, we would like to encourage you to read this passage of scripture, meditate on it and be prepared to share with our BGO community some of the insights the Holy Spirit gives you as you study the Word of God.