Bible Thoughts April 12, 1998
John the Baptist was truly a man, yea, a man of God. His lifestyle was different from many of his day. His dress did not reflect the leading religious leaders of that time. His dwelling was not in the best neighborhood in Jerusalem. There is no doubt that many derided and heckled him for the life that he lived and the message he brought. In fact, the message delivered to a ruler of his day cost him his life.
The man who had John put to death was not a true man in God's sight and would not be respected among decent people at present. This man(?) was a ruler who would have killed John earlier except he "feared the multitude"(Matthew 14:5). However, Herod had a greater weakness: he was the victim of a conniving woman. Having unlawfully married his brother's wife, John pointed out the wrong in this unscriptural alliance. His unlawful wife had a daughter. The daughter danced for Herod on his birthday. The evil-minded Herod took an oath that he would give her "whatsoever she would ask." Her mother wanted John's head on a charger. Herod fulfilled the request. In today's language, Herod was no man!
It takes a man to stand up for God's truth. Regardless of the sex, male or female, it takes a person with the moral courage to speak the truth and live by the truth. The force that influenced Herod to have a righteous person killed are the same forces that all people face at present. One kind of influence may not capture a person, but other kinds will often succeed in leading one into sin. One may stop short of sin because of the pressure placed upon that individual. However, under different circumstances, one will yield.
The multitude stopped Herod from killing(but not imprisoning) the man of God. His lusts and his evil desires overwhelmed him as he gave in to the request of the daughter of his unlawful wife.
Sins come from many different sources. The courage to stand
against the many temptations that each Christian will face must be
maintained in one's heart and life. "My brethren, count it
all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the
trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking
nothing"(James 1:2-3[KJ]).
Consider this: "The tent meeting days for the
preacher weren't easy. How many today would know how to put up and
take down a tent. Go rain or shine and care for a tent. More times
than once Byron had to get up during night and check on tent--either
slack it or tighten it. And it was no easy job to patch and patch one
to make it last for a few more meetings. Money to buy a new tent
didn't come easy in those days." -Marylee Conley(widow of Byron
Conley, who preached many sermons in tents).
Comment: I have been collecting material for a book about "Preaching in Tents: Byron Conley." I wanted to share this note I received from Sister Conley a few days ago.