0287. A Preaching Scene–Herod Hears John
A Preaching Scene–Herod Hears John
"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly" (Mar_6:20).
1. Try to get before you a picture of the great crowds wending their way out into the wilderness to hear John preach. More and more his name is being proclaimed, more and more the multitude are thronging to hear him.
2. Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, high estate and, accompanied by his wife, presses on with the crowd to hear John. Herod is fascinated. There is something about the mighty man of God that strangely moves him. His heart is stirred. He fears John, he feels somehow the preacher can read his inmost soul.
3. Herod quickly concedes that the fearless preacher is right. John, fixing his eyes upon Herod, unflinchingly reproves this man of authority for his evil life. He says to Herod: "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife." Herod, with a high sense of honor, knew John was right, and so "he guarded him," and he "heard him," and he "did many things," and he "heard him gladly."
It is easy to discern that Herod was greatly moved; he was convinced of his sin; he was almost ready to count the cost and to pay the price–in other words Herod was almost saved.
4. There are many this day who are at the very door of salvation! They too, have a true witness; they hear the Word; they hear it often and hear it gladly; they do many things, but they turn away and are lost.
Illustration: A ship was returning from an "around the world" cruise. The little village by the sea was all aglow. The returning vessel, which held so many of her own people, was already in sight. Just off the horizon she had been sighted. But the ship went down in sight of home.
To be almost saved, is not to be saved.
"Almost persuaded Christ to believe,
Almost persuaded Christ to receive,
Seems now some soul to say–
‘Go Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day,
On Thee I’ll call.’"
Alas! Alas!
"Almost, is but to fail;
Almost, cannot avail;
Sad, sad, the bitter wail;
Almost, but lost."
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR