Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 6:19-20 (New Living Translation)

19 So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, 20 for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

This is the (hi)story of Herod’s relationship with John the Baptist. Herod was disturbed when he talked with John, but that implies that he did talk with John. The rest of the sentence tells us that he liked to listen to John.

There must have been something special about John. He was bringing news that disturbed many people. I can feel that burning sensation in me when I think of people who come to me with news that I don’t want to hear. Herod must have had that sensation. Nevertheless, John had the ability to bring that disturbing news in a way that people wanted to hear it and hear it again and again.

Was it John, or the message John brought? The answer, of course, is some of both. The message was the good news about Jesus of Nazareth being the long-promised Messiah. That is the most important message in the history of mankind. John, the message bearer, was sent by God. I think God gave John the ability to bring a disturbing message in a way that caused people to want to hear more of it.

God, grant us the gift of John, the gift that causes people to want to hear us speak of the good news of Jesus.