More Than Hearing Required
“And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put John the Baptist to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.” (Mark 6:19-20)
For many moons, Herod heard the preaching of John the Baptist. Was it pleasant preaching? Well, how would you enjoy your dirty laundry being aired before a watching world each Sunday? John condemned Herod repeatedly for his affairs, calling the ruler of the people to repentance. John warned him of “the axe being laid at the root of the tree;” John exhorted him to “bear the fruits in keeping with repentance.” Over and over, Herod heard the same message, and he heard it gladly. As calls for John’s head grew louder and louder, Herod kept John safe. Yet, when his honor was threatened, Herod beheaded John. Do you see the irony? The man who kept John safe was not saved himself.
Herod knew the quality of John’s life. He knew that John was a “holy and righteous man.” How many times did Herod’s conscience shutter when he considered how John lived? He knew better. How many times did he hear John’s fierce denunciations flow from those holy lips and tremble. He knew better. How many times was John escorted from prison in deep, dark chains full of courage while Herod’s conscience cowered? He knew better.
Herod knew the quality of John’s sermons. He heard him “gladly.” John could “shuck the corn” as they say. Herod sat on the edge of his seat with the rapt attention of Ole Miss fans at the Egg bowl. Herod went around and told everyone of how good his prisoner pastor was. John’s sermons may have pounded the truth time and time again against Herod’s conscience, only John was hammering away at an iron-hard heart. The heart of stone may have been perplexed, but never replaced.
Yet, Herod did not know the quality of repentance. My friends, the Bible is riddled with men like these, and so is our day and age. There is a world of difference between hearing a sermon and receiving a sermon, between loving my pastor and loving my Savior. Let us not live in half-measures. Those who ride the fence always fall off, and typically not on the good side. When push comes to shove and the rubber meets the road, let us not be the men who forsake the Savior of their souls only to save their head, who save their lusts at the loss of their life.
