Like Paul, Not Herod--Jan. 26, 2011

You have made many promises, God:
-- to answer when called, to rescue out of trouble, and to honor;
-- to satisfy with long life and show us your salvation;
-- to be glorified in the one you have called to be your servant.

Paul claimed your promises and
testified that he no longer lived,
but that Christ lived in him.

In contrast, Herod thought that John
lived in Jesus; but Herod’s bad
conscience was deceiving him.

Pray make us like Paul,
not like Herod.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91
Isa. 49:1-12
Gal. 2:11-21
Mark 6:13-29

Selected Verses
Ps. 91:15-16
When they call to me, I will answer them;
      I will be with them in trouble,
      I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them,
      and show them my salvation.

Isa. 49:3
And [the LORD] said to me, “You are my servant,
      Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Gal. 2:19b-20a
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.

Mark 6:16
But when Herod heard of [the works of Jesus and his disciples], he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”