May 6, 2022 -- Mark 6:14-20 -- He kept him safe

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King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 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 6:14-20 ESV

There is something beautiful about reading longer stretches of Scripture consecutively. First, what stood out in today’s reading is at verse 20, Herod knew John was a righteous and holy man, that is why Herod kept him safe. However, when Herod’s step-daughter danced a lustful dance, Herod made a rash vow, ask me for anything and I’ll give. She, incited by her mother, asked for John’s head on a platter. Herod did not keep this man, whom he respected, safe.

Second, I would have missed the contrasts which the previous chapter and later narratives highlight. Now the contrast. In chapter 5, Jesus went out of his way to save a man possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5:1-20). Jesus kept him safe. A woman who’d had an issue of blood for 12 years and no doctor could help her. Jesus kept her safe (Mark 5:21ff). Jairus meanwhile was tapping his foot in impatience as his daughter was near to death and while Jesus stopped to help this other woman Jairus feared the worst. His daughter died. But death does not stop Jesus. He raised this little girl from the dead. Jesus kept a family safe from the clutches of evil.

Those whom the Father has appointed for eternal life will be saved. Those who are saved will suffer in this life; but they know the suffering they endured before their salvation, they lived lives devoid of holiness and honour. Now that Christ has lifted them from the hell-bound direction of their lives, such who are kept safe in Jesus are prepared to pour out their lives in sacrificial service to Him. It is the Spirit Who empowers holy living, so men like John, can declare the glory of God, even while in prison. No king kept John safe. Jesus, to Whom John gave his life in righteous service, saved him from the wrath of God and the clutches of hell, and delivered John safe to His Father in heaven.

Fellow believer, read the flow of Bible history. The Father is faithful. The Father keeps His promise of steadfast covenant love so that in Christ all are kept safe. The Father and the Son pour out the Spirit so that those who are saved by grace to the glory of the Father can give their lives in righteous and holy service to the Triune God, in Whom is all protection and safety now and for eternity.

Heavenly Father!
Thou hast led me singing to the cross
where I fling down all my
burdens and see them vanish,
where my mountains of guilt are leveled to a plain,
where my sins disappear, though they are
the greatest that exist,
and are more in number than the grains of fine sand;
For there is power in the blood of Calvary
to destroy sins more than can be counted
even by one from the choir of heaven.
Thou hast given me a hill-side spring that
washes clear and white,
and I go as a sinner to its waters, 
bathing without hindrance in its crystal streams.
At the cross there is free forgiveness
for poor and meek ones,
and ample blessings that last forever;
The blood of the Lamb is like a great river of infinite grace
with never any diminishing of its fullness
as thirsty ones without number drink of it.
O Lord, forever will thy free forgiveness live
that was gained on the mount of blood,
In the midst of a world of pain it
is a subject for praise in every place a song on earth,
anthem in heaven,
its love and virtue knowing no end.
I have a longing for the world above 
where multitudes sing the great song,
for my soul was never created to love the dust of earth.
Though here my spiritual state is frail and poor,
I shall go on singing Calvary’s anthem.
May I always know that a clean heart
full of goodness is more beautiful than the lily,
that only a clean heart can sing by night
and by day, that such a heart is mine
when I abide at Calvary.
"CALVARY'S ANTHEM" Valley of Vision, page 314

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