Do you not know? Have you not heard?

We praise you, Holy One of Israel! To whom could we compare you? You are the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. You do not grow tired or weary, and your understanding no one can fathom.
     Do you not know? Do you not hear?
     Has it not been told you from the beginning?
     Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
     It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
     and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
     who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
     and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
     who brings princes to nothing,
     and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

               Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
               scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
               when he blows on them, and they wither,
               and the tempest carries them off like stubble. (Isaiah 40:21-24)

Scripture Reading - Mark 6:14-29 (ESV)

     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.”

     But others said, “He is Elijah.”

     And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

     But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 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. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 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.
     But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests.

     And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

     And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?”

     And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

     And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

     And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus, even today you ask us, "Who do you say that I am?" As the Father has revealed, we confess that you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the Anointed One. You hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. You have authority over heaven and earth and the establishment of your Church. As your children, we have received the anointing by the Holy One. We belong to you and have been given authority to build your kingdom. (Matthew 16:13-20)

Forgive us for when we have cowered before earthly kingdoms, when fear has blurred our perception and we complain - My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God? Help us remember when we see evil around us that you, LORD, are the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. The nations are but a drop in a bucket, they are regarded as dust on the scales, they are worthless, less than nothing. (Isaiah 40)

Father, we know how Herod's life ended, how your judgment came upon him. May we place our confidence in your Word, knowing that you will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. (Isaiah 13:10-12) We believe, God, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that he is Lord to your glory! (Philippians 2:9-13) Help us to bend our knees and obey your Word today, working out our salvation with fear and trembling. For it is you, Father, who is at work in us, helping us to do your good pleasure. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.