Key Verses: Mark 6:17-29, "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. 21 Finally
the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high
officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter
of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll
give it to you.” 23 And he
promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my
kingdom.” 24 She
went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of
John the Baptist,” she answered. 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. 27 So he
immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went,
beheaded John in the prison, 28 and
brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave
it to her other. 29 On
hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb."
First in line... everything in you wants to be first in line. You plan on camping out for days if necessary. Worst case scenario, plan B means not even flinching at the chance to pay a scalper an outrageous price for a ticket. You have to be there. Missing out for any reason is simply not an option. Your mind even wonders to fantastic extremes of sneaking in, outrunning security, scaling walls... whatever it takes. No price is to great, no risk unreasonable; nothing will keep you from this experience of a lifetime. (Whatever your obsession: a sporting event, concert, premiere, release-you name it).
Grab your Bible and open it to Mark 6:17-29. Read about the price John the Baptist paid for refusing to compromise his message. John has seriously offended Herodias; well, enraged is more like it. Nobody likes having his or her sin called out, and John never held any punches. As far as he was concerned, God's standard didn't play favorites, making exceptions for powerful or popular people. So when John called Herod out on his twisted little love triangle involving the wife of his brother, he stepped on toes that weren't used to getting stepped on.
It is not secret when you cross the wrong girl. Pretty "Miss Popular" ending up demanding John's head on a platter, and Herod delivered. Can't you just see that party?
It's easy for us to think we got it so bad when others leave us out or make fun of us. Nobody will pretend like that doesn't hurt-it's real. And honestly, that might be the extent that God is calling you to endure. But are willing to stare down any suffering or rejection? And give up everything for the sake of God's kingdom? No matter how great or seeming insignificant the price, are you willing to pay the price for following Christ? And there is a cost. Everyday there is a price to pay. Like John, will you not even flinch, jumping at any opportunity to make any sacrifice in order to see God at work? Never compromise. God doesn't.
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