Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
You Can’t Kill the Message
Herod had committed grievous sins. Among other things, he stole his brother’s wife. His sins violated Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21 and were shocking, even in Roman society. His sin hurt others around him.
Rather than deal with his own personal sin, Herod chose to persecute John; so he imprisoned him. Herod, one of those individuals that nobody can talk to, enjoyed listening to John; he knew that John was a righteous man, but he refused to repent.
There are people who enjoy listening to preaching, but refuse to properly apply what is being preached. James 1:22 (NIV) says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” We need to put into practice what is preached.
John preached repentance unapologetically. Herod refused to change his ways. Not only did he refuse to change his ways, but when his niece came and asked him for John’s head on a platter, even though he was “greatly distressed,” he was not willing to stand up for what is right.
What Herod failed to realize was that he could kill the messenger, but he could not kill the message. The message would continue to echo in his own conscience for years to come. Jesus’ message of repentance still resounds in our ears two thousand years later.
When you do wrong, are you troubled? Are you troubled enough to stand against sin in your own life?
It is easy to become comfortable in our sinful nature, but 1 Peter 1:25 reminds us that “the word of the Lord stands forever.” Always do the right thing, since you can’t kill the message.
Dion Christopher, pastor
Prince of Peace Moravian Church, Miami, Florida
The Moravian Church
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost