Promises Beyond Us
Mark 6:14-29: Have you ever been mocked or tortured for Justice' sake? Have you ever been tormented for speaking out the truth? This is a story of John the Baptist who was beheaded for speaking out the truth to Herod and Herodias having an affair. Herod was perplexed by the personality John and his preachings, but he was uncomfortable with the challenge thrown to him not to marry his brother's wife. Both Herod and Herodias had grudges against him, until the opportunity to act on the grudge came ( John's head on a platter) and that was when Herodias' daughter danced to the delight of Herod, who made a promise to grant her anything she asked. Herod thought only of his reputation and image should he refuse to keep his promise, and forgot his inner move towards John. Never be lured into making promises beyond you, just to please someone or out of lust. Think twice before making any promise. What if a promise is made and we discover it robs off something of God's image ...