by:
06/10/2025
0
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (v18). After speaking truth about marriage and morality to the king, John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus’ followers – like their Savior - were empowered to preach and heal and cast out demons (v7-13), yet only when people were willing (v1-6,11). Jesus’ followers suffered, like John, because their allegiance to Jesus put them at odds with the sinful powers of the world. John’s courage led to his death, but his witness was not forgotten.
“He called the twelve ... and gave them authority over unclean spirits” (v7). Authority in Jesus’ name means living as his ambassadors, empowered by the Spirit to follow in his steps, proclaiming, loving, serving, and suffering too.