“For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.”
Mark 6:17-20 NLT
http://bible.com/116/mrk.6.17-20.nlt
This morning my wife and I read this scripture while still tucked in bed pretending the day's work was not peering into our bedroom calling us. I noticed something today that had escaped me before. It was Grace and Truth. I never considered John the Baptist and example of that, but he was.
John clearly spoke the truth, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brothers wife." Even, so "Herod respected John" and "liked to listen to him." So you have the both-and magic potion of John telling Herod the truth, but not repulsing him.
How did John do it? Unfortunately we don't have a lot of information about how John did this. What we do see are three goals we can hold to:
This morning my wife and I read this scripture while still tucked in bed pretending the day's work was not peering into our bedroom calling us. I noticed something today that had escaped me before. It was Grace and Truth. I never considered John the Baptist and example of that, but he was.
John clearly spoke the truth, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brothers wife." Even, so "Herod respected John" and "liked to listen to him." So you have the both-and magic potion of John telling Herod the truth, but not repulsing him.
How did John do it? Unfortunately we don't have a lot of information about how John did this. What we do see are three goals we can hold to:
- Tell the truth clearly
- Strive to not repulse others with your words
- Strive for multiple conversations... (read build relationships)
I wish John gave us the three steps rather than three goals. Goals are fuzzy and require us to think and pray and seek God for the how to. But knowing what you are aiming for is actually more than half the battle. If we can grab hold of these three goals like a jedi knight holds onto his light saber, I believe we could:
- Improve our relationship with those outside the Christian faith
- Have opportunities to share truth in a way that people can begin receive it.
Lord, help me to speak Your truth in a winsome way which engages people and draws them to it in spite of any unbelief.
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