Faith Amid Adversity

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.
Mark 6:21–29
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Faith Amid Adversity
God never promises His followers an easy life in this world because of the faith given to them. In fact, God’s Word often reminds us that the opposite is often true for those who call Jesus Lord. And it should be no surprise to us, as God did not spare His own Son. Coming just after Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth by His own people, the tragic story of John gives an unmistakable foreshadowing of what awaits Jesus: rejection and even violent hostility. But rejection and violence cannot overcome the risen Lord. His victory over death and the grave shows how wonderfully He can turn such enmity and bitterness into life and salvation. May the Lord give us faith like John’s so that we can stand fast and trust in His promise of salvation. May He help us to believe unquestioningly that faithfulness unto death we will receive the crown of eternal life.