For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
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5 Days
Life is uncertain, but it’s not a complete mystery. God has allowed us to know who he is, what he thinks of us, and what he will do for us. Begin to discover this in just five minutes a day—and as you do, we pray your faith, hope, and love for him will grow.
Scripture frequently calls us to hold couplets of seemingly opposing truths in tension. For example, plan for tomorrow AND don't worry about it, enjoy restful “self-care” AND embrace self-sacrifice, desire good things AND be content. Join me as we explore five pieces of “double-sided wisdom,” mining seemingly minor nuances for major truths to apply to our work today!
6 Days
Matthew writes to God’s people and walks them on a journey that will take them from where they are to be Disciple Makers. This is 15 of 27 devotional plans walking us through the book of Matthew. Jesus finishes the section on the parables—lots of key Kingdom truths. Then we see Jesus' response to being misunderstood and to having spiritual strength in such times.
He lived in the wild, wore weird clothes, had an appetite for bugs, and an aptitude for berating people. But, despite John the Baptist’s eccentric appearance and lifestyle, Jesus claimed “there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). Who was John the Baptist? What made him so great? Perhaps, most importantly, what can we learn from him about true greatness in God’s kingdom?
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