Christian Reflection and Prayer

But Herod the tetrarch who had been reproved by
him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the
evil things that Herod had done, added this to
them all, that he locked up John in prison
(Luke 3:19-20).

 

Read Luke 3:19-20

 

"How dare he challenge me like that? Doesn't he
know who I am?" Like most wealthy, powerful people,
Herod didn't want anyone telling him he was wrong,
especially not a young wilderness wanderer, who
went around wearing camel's hair and eating locusts
and wild honey. The Baptist didn't like Herod's choice
in women, but wasn't that Herod's own business?
True, he had married his half-brother Philip's wife, the
ambitious Herodias. But what was that to John? It was
fine when John was laying into the Jewish religious
leaders, but Herod thought his family should be off-limits.

But God had sent John to confront sinners, so they
would acknowledge their sin and find forgiveness in the
promised Messiah. It didn't matter how high and
important you were. John knew it was better to face up
to your sins now, so God could take them away. The
alternative was to wait until life was over, and you were
standing before God's judgment seat.

 

Herod should have listened to John's words and repented;
instead, he seized and arrested John. He added this to
his many other sins. Not only had he refused to heed
John's timely warning and escape the wrath of God, he
cut John off from the people who desperately needed to
hear God's warning.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Almighty God, Your Word confronts my pride and my sin.
For Jesus' sake, move me to repent of my sin and seek
Your forgiveness. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son,
I ask this. Amen.

 

Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries