Daily Bread

2 Aug 25
Today’s Daily Bread is brought to you by Rev Gav.

Matthew 14.1–12

Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

Reflect

It seems pride and paranoia go hand in hand doesn't it? It kinda makes sense. Someone with extreme pride puts themselves in an exulted position, therefore they are in constant watch of anyone or anything that might knock them off their pedestal.

Herod was proud, and his out-of-control pride as the wealthy and powerful 'king of the Jews' had led him into the position where he had had John the Baptist imprisoned and then executed — all because he could not lose face. He knew he had done a terrible thing, and we can detect, from what was written about him, that he was nervous, twitchy, and unpredictable.

It is unlikely that Herod really believed John the Baptist had been raised from the dead — not in a literal sense, but that somehow the spirit of John lived on in Jesus, and that Jesus would somehow also 'come for him'.

There's a deep sense of sadness, not only about the heinous crimes committed by Herod, but that his pride and paranoia separated him from the all-encompassing, almighty love that had come from heaven. Just imagine if Herod had simply been able to put down his status and power, repent of his ways, and humbly meet with Jesus. He would have found a life bigger and better than he could have possibly imagined.

Pride and paranoia continue to be enemies of love and faith. The way to God is only and ever on our knees in humility with the expectation that God is not here to punish us, but to embrace us.

Pride and paranoia are still at work in us. If we fail to come to God because we prioritise our own needs and wants, well, that is pride. And if we say we cannot come to God because we are not worthy or good enough, well, that is paranoia.

Herod had an opportunity to meet Jesus, and we too have the same opportunity — we can meet Jesus in the here and now — therefore let nothing stop us from falling on our knees and trusting in God's unfailing love.

Pray

Holy God
May nothing prevent me
from falling on my
knees and trusting
in your unfailing love.
You love me and
want the best for me,
and so I put my
faith in you.
Now and forever.

Prayed 8 times.
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