Text: Matthew 14: 5-10; 2 Corinthians 7:9&10
Memory Verse: For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Herod will always be remembered for the brutal murder of John the HBaptist. Herod had the power to arrest, try, judge, condemn, and kill. He exercised the power to silence the critical voice of John the Baptist. He would have killed John without a trial, but he was afraid of the
people (Matthew 14:5). Herodias’ daughter’s dance gave him the perfect excuse to kill John while appearing innocent to the public. It was recorded that he was “sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her” (Matthew 14:9).
If you hate hearing the truth about yourself, you have the nature of Herod. You may not have arrested your own “John” physically because you lack the power. But your “John” is imprisoned in the cell of your heart. Herodias’ daughter might soon dance, and you will murder your “John” in gossiping, backstabbing, and the spreading of malicious lies.
When some claim they are sorry, like Herod, their sorrow does not lead to repentance. They are only sorry because they were caught in the act. Their false pious image is soiled. It is a sorrow that excuses and promotes bad behaviour, separates a man from God and leads to death.
Genuine sorrow will mourn for sin and run to God in repentance for the forgiveness of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). It evokes action to correct one’s errors. Are you sorry for your actions?
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, open my eyes to see my errors.
2. Lord, help me to repent of all my errors and make appropriate
amendments.