Written by Mark Driskill:
Read Mark 6:14-29
Imagine you have just been given the offer of a lifetime. Imagine, for example, someone with real connections offers you absolutely free anything you want up to half ownership of a billion dollar estate. The only requirement is that you ask. What would you ask for? Or imagine one of your children being given such an offer and they come to you for advice on what to ask for. What would you suggest to them? Money? Power? Or how about a scholarship to a nice college? Okay suppose given this opportunity to have anything you want, you responded by saying, “Umm let’s see now, I know! I’d like some road kill please.” That would be stupid. It would be unthinkable to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime for such a thing. Yet that is what we see Herodias doing. Her daughter comes to her having been offered anything she wants, up to half the kingdom of Israel. So she asks her mother what to request. Herodias is so filled with hatred toward John the Baptist that all she can see is an opportunity to punish him. She s is so blinded by rage and bitterness that she can’t even see the opportunity for her or her daughter.
Wow! Her resentment costs her a kingdom and it costs her daughter the opportunity of a lifetime. You see that’s what bitterness and resentment does. It blinds you to the kingdom, and costs those your loved ones, who have to live in the wake of your unforgiving spirit as well. The single mother so hates her ex husband that she poisons her children’s lives with her bitter words and spiteful actions, because all she can see is getting him back. The angry pastor, so filled with his own resentment, spews venom on the innocent members of his church every Sunday when he should be feeding their souls. But all he can see is the handful who criticized him and how he can punish them from the pulpit. Resentmentwill cost you the kingdom and will handicap the people around you.
How much better it is to forgive than to hold on to hurt feelings. This is especially true when, as in Herodias’ case, the person you are angry with is only guilty of telling you the truth you didn’t want to hear. Oh friend if you are living with resentment over something someone has done or said, don’t let it blind you to the kingdom opportunities that God has for you. And don’t let it spill out on your loved ones. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” As you give forgiveness from your heart, your ability to walk in the mercy of God and experience joy increases.
Unforgiveness is a prison that you are building around yourself and your loved ones. No matter how “right” you may be in the matter you are still in a prison of bitterness regardless of how you try to dress it up and rationalize it. A well decorated prison is still a prison. The great news is through the power of Jesus love in you, you hold the key to your release. Forgive and walk free today.
Challenge: Think of the person in your life who has been the most critical of you. Send them a sincere compliment in a note or email. Or if you are really brave tell them face to face.
Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky. They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy. Mark is web minister for Begotten by the Word , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources. Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program.
Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.
Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.
