David Bahn – Reflections

There are times when we must conclude that evil has won. A child is abused. Drugs claim the life of a young man. A business executive fires a woman who spurns his advances. The list is long, and it’s very depressing.  

Matthew 14:1-12

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, ²and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ³For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. ⁶But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, ⁷so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. ¹⁰He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, ¹¹and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹²And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.  

We don’t always all get along. Evil and injustice visit our world all too often. Sometimes Christians are the focus of such injustice. The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, interdenominational organization with a vision for aiding Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. They chronicle the exploits of evil visited against Christians in particular. But evil and injustice know no religious, ethnic, nor socioeconomic  boundaries. No one is exempt from evil’s influence.  

John’s disciples in this story are an example for us. They do two important things in response to the beheading of their leader. First they came and took the body of John and buried it. This is a simple act of respect and honor. But it is also an act of courage and boldness. They will not simply fade away into the darkness of evil visited upon their leader. They will not abandon even the dead body of their leader. This is a matter of honor in all places.  

Secondly, the disciples of John go to Jesus and tell him about this loss. From a human standpoint this is a doubly difficult act on their part. They are experiencing loss; but the loss is Jesus’ loss as well. John was Jesus’ forerunner. He had prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. John’s death was sure to bring Jesus’ own future death to mind. But they knew that Jesus needed to know and that he would be the only source of true comfort in their time of grief.  

We may forget, when we pray, that God’s heart may also be broken by the situations, challenges, and pains we face. We may not realize that he not only hears our prayers, but is intimately and fully involved in our lives. So when we pray, struggle, cry out, or yearn for God’s comfort he is near to the brokenhearted and he hears their cry. Nor is he aloof or untouched by our pain. When evil triumphs it is only for a time. For the One who hears our cry has felt our pain as he bore our sins on the cross. But he has also won our victory. He rose in triumph over his foes and has ascended to the right hand of God. Now over all things he hears our prayers and is working all things together for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.