Those Who Bring Good News Must Also Rebuke in Love “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias , his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.” ( Luke 3:18–20 ) As I meditate on these verses, I wish to receive the lesson contained in them. (1) John the Baptist, who proclaimed “good news” to the people (Luke 3:18), rebuked “ Herod the tetrarch ” (v.19)—the same Herod Antipas mentioned in verse 1 (Hokmah)—because of “ his marriage to Herodias , his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done” (v.19). (a) The phrase “ his brother’s wife Herodias ” (v.19) refers to the fact that Herod took his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias (Matt. 14:4; Mark 6:17). Around A.D. 26, Herod divorced his first wife—the daughter of King Aretas of Arabia —and...
“ You will know them by their fruits ” [ Matthew 7 : 16-2 3 ] What do you think of when you hear the word “tree”? When I hear the word “tree”, I remember the sermon I preached on the Friday night prayer meeting in the month of June. On that day, I preached the drama written by God in Esther chapters 2 to 7 from the perspective of a “tree”, focusing on Esther 7:10. King Ahasuerus' wrath ceased as Haman, who was trying to annihilate Mordecai and his people of Judah, hung on the tree he wanted to hang Mordecai, Queen Esther's cousin (v. 10). This reminded me the best drama work. The work is the crucifixion of the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who was hung high on the tree which is under God’s curse (Deut. 21:23). When I think about why the humble Jesus, who had no sin, died on the cross for my sake, a proud sinner like “Haman”, I think of how lovely Queen Esther when King Ahasuerus saw her standing in ...