YOUR FRIENDS O LORD SHALL MAKE KNOWN THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME(Jeremiah 1:17-19/Psalm 71:1-6,15,17/Mark 617-29)

YOUR FRIENDS O LORD SHALL MAKE KNOWN THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME

(Thursday, August 29, 2019
THE FEAST OF THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST)

Today, the greatest man among those born of women, John, the Holy Forerunner and Baptizer of the Lord, is murdered. Herod gruesomely murdered the greatest of all men because he stood on the truth. The greatness of John the Baptist was declared by Christ when He said Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist… (Ðœatt 11: 11).

In all Creation, there exists no greater praise. Why did the Saviour exalt John the Baptist as the greatest as He did to no one else? Why? Because, the Holy Forerunner encompassed within himself, within his person, all of the virtues of Heaven, all of the virtues in all of the Prophets, all of the Apostles, all of the Martyrs, all of the Angels of Heaven, all of the Confessors.

Today we glorify the destruction, the beheading of the first Apostle among the Holy Apostles, for the Forerunner of the Lord was the first sent by God to see and to herald to the world the Savior of the world. Long before the Apostles and before anyone else, he bore witness to and announced God to the world, God Incarnate in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The first Apostle to see the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven onto the Lord Jesus, when he baptized Him in the Jordan, announces Him to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world. John is also the first Evangelist among the Evangelists.

He first announced to that Jesus Christ Himself is the Good News of Heaven and earth, God’s Gospel for men in this world. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” In those few words, the Holy Forerunner expressed the fullness of the Gospels.
John the Baptist, following in the footsteps of the prophets of old who confronted the kings over immorality, confronted Herod the tetrarch. John the Baptist preached the truth about fidelity in marriage to Herod Antipas.

Obviously, John’s preaching to Herod was not successful; Herod and Herodias remained together. On this occasion, John the Baptist was like the prophets of old who enjoyed little success. The prophets were not called to be successful; rather they were called to preach the word of God whether welcome or unwelcome. John the Baptist preached to Herod without success, but John fulfilled his calling; he preached the word of God welcome or unwelcome. The hostility to his preaching on marriage means that just as he preceded Christ in his birth he would also precede Christ in his passion and death. It was out of wickedness and hatred that John was murdered.

The question people normally ask any time this feast is being celebrated or the gospel is being read is: What would Herodias do with the head of John the Baptist? Would she cook it, NO, would she keep it as a monument? NO. would she keep it for adoration, NO; would she eat it; the answer is also NO? She requested for the head of John just to eliminate him, to keep him out of her way, to suppress him from reminding her of her immoral life and of her wicked act against her husband Philip whom she abandoned because of the frivolities of the palace and earthly comforts that last for a while. In fact, Herodias wasn’t happy that John was interfering in her business. Does this wicked act of Herod and Herodias exist today in our society especially among the Christians of the 21st century?

Today we also specifically glorify the first Evangelist and Christian Confessor, the first to Confess God in this New Testament world. Consider how fearlessly, openly and directly he confessed God's Truth: O King, it is not right for you to have your brother’s wife, your living brother’s wife. You have taken your brother’s wife away from him. All of the laws of Heaven and earth are against you, and I, recite these laws of Heaven and earth to you, for it was to do so that I was sent. O King, you cannot have your brother’s wife.

Today, in glorifying that great and glorious first Apostle, first Martyr, first Evangelist, Precursor to all true Christians of all time, we bow down before his joyous suffering for Christ’s Truth and His Holy Gospel, before him as Apostle and Martyr.

Brothers and sisters, whenever we are in great sorrow, let us turn to that first Apostle of Christ—John the Baptist and he will help us to bear our burdens. And should some kind of misfortune happen, let us turn to that first Evangelist. No matter what bitterness that fills our soul, he will sweeten it with Christ’s grace.

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to speak the truth always and be ready to die for it so that I will be able to live with you in heaven. Amen.