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Day 7 Luke 3:19 Luke 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Have you ever been unjustly accused? John the Baptist had spent his life in the desert, preaching about the coming of the Messiah, and baptizing all those who looked for the promised Messiah they had known about their entire lives. John was not afraid to speak out about the evils of the day, primarily Herod’s adulterous relationship with his brother’s wife. That earned him a one-way ticket to prison. He would be beheaded due to jealousy, at his birthday party. Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (KJV) As Christians, your lives are always viewed under a microscope. People will notice everything you say and do, and if it doesn’t line up with their way of thinking, you could find yourself in situations similar to John the Baptist. Many missionaries through the ages have been martyred for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Missionaries, who stood their ground and wouldn’t back down in the face of adversity, found themselves in the same situation as John the Baptist. They might not have been beheaded, but they were still killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Missionary, Jim Elliot, was one of five missionaries who lost his life, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Huaorani people in Ecuador in 1956. John the Baptist was the first martyr for Jesus Christ, but he wasn’t the last. Many followed, and continue to follow his footsteps as people face life-threatening situations for Jesus every day. What is your stand when it comes to faith in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to lay down your life for the sake of the gospel? Paul wrote: For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (KJV) Paul was another martyr for Jesus Christ, who, like John the Baptist, was beheaded for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hebrews recounts all those who were born before Jesus, who believed the promise of a Savior, and preached and prophesied about living for God instead of living for the world and looking for the promise of salvation. Yet, many of them were also killed for their profession of faith in God. Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (KJV) All those who gave their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the promise of a Savior, did not lose their life for a vain theology and hope, but found it when they passed from this life to eternity. Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (KJV) The early church suffered at the hands of Emperor Nero, being tortured in the arenas and colosseums, fed to lions, lit on fire as human torches, crucified, and beheaded. Are you willing to stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter the cost? Let’s pray: Father, give me faith to live my life for you, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 29 August 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Information on Jim Elliot verified through Wikipedia Image courtesy of Pixabay