What's Keeping You?

Mark 6:19-20 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.
 
IN this classic battle of evil against good, evil is working very hard to remove the good. Herodias, Herod’s unlawful wife, is intent to kill John the Baptist. Telling the truth is John’s crime. John had condemned her adultery with her brother-in-law, Herod Antipas. Everything the Evil One does in this world is to kill God’s people. That’s why we need the Lord of Life to defend us.  
   Herod Antipas was a ruler over Galilee and the area of the Decapolis. Remember this is the same Herod to whom Pilate sent Jesus. History tells us Herod had great power to create beautiful gardens. He built cities and transformed ordinary villages into extraordinary visual splendor. He moved men and earth, but he couldn’t move his heart to the right, even though he knew John to be a righteous and holy man. 
   We know, too, Herod thought about what John told him. He was greatly puzzled at John’s words. And it seems something good was happening in Herod’s mind because he liked to listen to him. Why, then, did Herod keep his corrupt life?  
   Perhaps we can see Herod as we would cultural “Christians” today. These are the people who like to go to a church or a Christian rally because they want to hear the preacher. His words are good, and they discern he speaks the truth. They believe he is a righteous man of God.
   But gospel truth does not reach these listeners’ hearts. They find God’s words fascinating and interesting, even inspiring. But they also are afraid of the truth. To listen to, submit to and live in  the truth will change their lives. Instead of keeping God’s Word in their hearts, they keep their desires above all things. Even if they like to hear God’s Word spoken, they like their own way of life much more.
   Herod and Herodias should have been honored God’s prophet had come to teach them the way to life. But they objected because God’s way began with casting away their fleshly desires. They couldn’t take that first step because they wanted to keep the pleasures they enjoyed. Their minds did not grasp their self-centered lives would lead to their destruction in this life. (See next lesson.) And worse, it led to their eternal destruction.
   Regardless of how good life is for you now, there’s nothing worth keeping if it keeps you from God’s salvation.