Jul. 4, 2009 - What If Things Had Been Different?
Mark 6:17-18Herod had earlier married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. But John had told him, "It isn't right for you to take your brother's wife!" So, in order to please Herodias, Herod arrested John and put him in prison.
19Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she could not do it 20because Herod was afraid of John and protected him. He knew that John was a good and holy man. Even though Herod was confused by what John said, he was glad to listen to him. And he often did.
What if things had been different? What if Herod had not married Herodias? What if Herod had not set his sights on pleasing Herodias over doing what was right? What if Herodias was desirous to please her husband instead of looking for him to please her?
If we were living back then, would we have looked at the situation and said that Herodias was a feminist? Was Herod passive when it came to his marriage? Did she "wear the pants in the family"? Was she a Jezebel? Did she regret her choice to have John beheaded? I kinda doubt it. Maybe she was relieved except for that nagging little doubt hidden way back in the recesses of her mind? How was her marriage after the fact? Was Herod mad at her? Would he have eventually become a Christian? How did this affect the daughter?
Are we hurting others to justify our desires/decisions? Are we so self-indulged that we think nothing of involving others in our sinfulness to justify our actions? Are we willing to risk it all? Are we out for ourselves or our husband's good? Is he a pawn in our hand? Do we use our daughters to get what we want? Are we willing to risk another's life to free us from condemnation? Do we even regret any of these things? What if things had been different?