There is a story, recorded in Mark 6, of Herod and his relationship with John the Baptist. It seemed as though John was constantly telling Herod that he was a sinner, a man who had wrongfully married his brother's wife, and yet Herod, realizing that there was something unique about this prophet, listened to him speak with great attention. Herod knew that John was a "holy man" and maybe even had him imprisoned so that he, Herod could listen to him, John, speak whenever the notion struck him.
Regardless of all the possible reasons for Herod's fascination with John, there came a day when He had to make a decision. This decision was to do what he knew to be right, or to give in to his fears of other's thoughts and take the easy way out.
Herod had given an oath to a dancing girl that had pleased him, and when she made her request to the king, a request that he did not want to honor, he was caught in a squeeze. He could deny that request because it was not the right thing to do, or he could do the wrong thing in order to keep his status among those who looked on.
Mark records:
"And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her."
Herod was sorry, but he still made his decision on what to do based on what would make him come off looking good. No matter about John, no matter about right or wrong, the only matter was saving face among the crowd.
How many times do I make decisions on the basis of what others might think about me? Or, maybe worse yet, make decisions on the basis of what I know is best for me, regardless of others at all.
A few years back, there were many items for sale that sported the initials WWJD, or What Would Jesus Do? They may still be around, but they were worn to give a person pause in decision making.
Maybe I still need one!
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