Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
New International Version (NIV)
Who speaks truth to power? John the Baptist did. In the name of the King of Kings he called out Herod the tetrarch for stealing his brother’s wife. Herod imprisoned John, but he could not imprison the truth. Even after his wife Herodias plotted and succeeded in taking John’s life, his message was true. Herod possessed the power of life and death, but God possessed the power to bring the dead to life, a power owned by no earthly monarch.
Has the church become a non-prophet organization? Where are the prophets? In the ancient world the kings surrounded themselves with “court-prophets” who rubberstamped the king’s deeds giving the false impression that God was always on their side (1 Kings 22:5-8, Jeremiah 28, Amos 7:10-17). If the king said, “Jump,” they said, “How high?” This did not serve the kings or the country well. By contrast Micaiah ben Imlah, Jeremiah and Amos spoke the truth even when it cost them dearly.
Pastors should not seek conflict with politicians, but we must always remain far enough outside the political sphere to uphold the gospel. We must be careful not to become so entangled with the affairs of state that we cannot speak the truth to power. At the same time, politicians of all stripes need the preachers to be proclaimers of the gospel. In the end we answer to a different King.
Pray with me:
Father, bless those who will preach the truth this weekend. May we be so entranced with your beauty and grace that we never become enamored of political favor from either side of the aisle. Let us live what we believe and call others to do the same. Father, give your people discernment in difficult days. If we please anyone let it be you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we! Joyfully, Duane
Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
Share this email:
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
