Herod and Herodias

Hello (:

Hope you guys have been well! Sorry for not writing sooner man, busy with planning holidays O:

I basically spent my pre-Christmas in France, Christmas in London, post-Christmas+newyears in Italy with Jo and Dan x) So I'd say I ended (and started!) the year awesomely haha.

School this term's been picking up pace. I do about 2 less hours a week, but my lectures are crammed into mornings so it takes like a high amount of concentration early in the day x.x

Anyway, I've been learning many things from church (and OCF). Just yesterday, All Soul's was preaching about Mark 6:14-26. It was pretty enlightening I think, maybe cos I've never thought about it this way before; v16 is like a massive guilt thing weighing on Herod's conscience, because he was the one who had John killed and he regretted it dearly. v17-26 gives a flashback to what happened that time ya.

So then we ask, if Herod had a conscience, why then would he still marry Herodias who was his brother's wife? Or why would he not divorce her? The answer to this is that he couldn't bear to; like how often we can't bear to right our wrongs before God even after knowing we're wrong. The preacher surmised that Herod was probably overcome with lust, Herod and Herodias were just connecting on so many levels or had a high sexual affinity, whatever. But here comes John and he goes straight to Herod and tells him that this is wrong because Herodias is his brother's wife! Bear in mind Herod was king and he could execute John any time.

Anyway, so Herodias basically was quite pissed about John cos he kept saying it's not lawful it's not lawful, "nursed a grudge". v20 might seem a bit odd to you; Herod however, even after being told repeatedly he was wrong, feared John and protected him. Whut? He knew John was a holy and righteous man, and did not want to kill this fellow and even enjoyed listening to him. What do you think John preached to him day after day Herod came to listen to him? Probably something like 'repent, it is not lawful to have your brother's wife!' but Herod just comes to listen (and enjoys listening) to John but doesn't do anything about it. He sits on the fence regarding his sin and doesn't take action.

We learn that not taking action will probably culminate in undesirable circumstances forcing our hand later on: v21-26.

In v22, Herodias used her own teenage daughter to 'please' the king and his high ranking friends; she came in and danced for them. And the king made his foolish oath of 'ask for anything you want, up to half my kingdom.' Ofcourse, being only a girl she went to ask her mother, and Herodias asked for John's head on a platter. V26, 'the king was greatly distressed' because he knew John to be holy and righteous, but how? He promised her with an oath. He had one last decision to make; would he defend John and retract his foolish promise, or would he try and save his face in front of all his dinner guests and agree to the request? He obv chose the latter and regretted it ya.

We are actually real similar to Herod. Sometimes we know that we should not marry Herodias because it is wrong, but then again, I can't help it/can't stop/don't want to divorce. But we also enjoy listening to preachers preaching about sin and turning away from God and we feel all guilty and stuff, but we don't do anything about it. We come day after day to the chapel to listen to John, feeling sinful, but unable to decide properly like to cut off the offending arm, or remove your eye because it is leading you to sin. Later we end up having to make a massive decision because of this undecisiveness and I'm willling to say that I end up making the bad choice most, if not all the time. If I can't submit the small things to God, like divorcing Herodias, what makes me think I can submit the big things to God, like whether or not to kill John to save face?

Yeah anyway it was a good service, I did actually reflect on my life and the sins that are in it. Please continue praying that I will put God first in front of my play, my computer, my studies (:

And I really appreciate fellowship and the bible study with my small group in OCF la, and it's encouraging to see how my group leaders spur us on to love and good deeds like in Heb 10:24-25 (And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.) It'd be great for you guys to continue going to YF and YA cell regularly too (: !

Please also, could you pray for my housing arrangements for September? I get kicked out of hall for 2nd year and basically have to find my own place. My friends and I, we're looking for a 5 bedroom flat near school and we'd much appreciate prayer about this, thaaanks (:

[an email I sent. It's a good reminder about Herod and Herodias for me too (:]