And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. . . But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” Mark 6:13, 16
In a way, Herod was right. His sin, lusting after his own niece, now his daughter and promising her anything, even the death of John, had caught up with him. He could no longer ignore it’s consequences in his conscience, try as he might. But, eventually the Truth would smack him in the face. Little did he know that in a few years, he’d make the most important decision of his life. He’d stand before Jesus and decide to acknowledge Him as Lord of All, or to condemn Him to death. Scared of the repercussions either way, he simply asked, “What is Truth?” and tried to wash his hands of the whole thing. But it haunted him. Deep down Herod knew that Jesus knew.
We are more like Herod than we care to admit. We think it is easier to ignore something we have done wrong, or perhaps said in the heat of a moment. We try to put it away in a box, hide it and just go on with our lives.Dealing with it is too painful or embarrassing. It will all smooth over. But it can still gnaw at our conscience. And sure enough, if we don’t confess and make amends, Jesus will bring it full circle and confront us with it. Why?
For our own good. Like a splinter in our finger, that sin can irritate us. Every time we tap our finger, it reminds us it is there. If we do not work to get it out, if we try to ignore it, it can fester. Unconfessed sin blocks us from receiving God’s blessings in our lives. He loves us enough to bring us face to face with that sin and will help us dig it out so we can heal. Sure, it may be painful, but the alternative is more so.
Let the Healer do His work in your life as we approach Easter. Then, His glorious death and resurrection will have new meaning. Unlke Herod, we will be able to embrace the Truth and be thankful.
