“For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.  For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:17-18).

Guilty is guilty.  It does not matter what the world says.  The truth of God’s law pierces the heart, and the sinner works hard to not hear the voice of truth.  We each have that in ourselves.  Let the truth pierce your heart.  It is the truth which sets you free.  We often become hostile to the ones who remind us of the battle which is deep within us.  We want to be rid of those who confront us and we sometimes fear them.

Lord, help me to see that it is You who confronts me in my sin.  You have placed all things on their course, and Your law is inviolable.  Throughout the struggles that confront me in this world, help me to hear clearly Your voice and apply the message You are giving me.  Let me not be carried away by my own reasoning but listen and obey as You direct me in the way of life as You created it to be lived.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You have set before me.  Knowing that other voices will come and the temptation will arise to go another way, help me to understand the truth You speak knowing that You alone have set all things on their course.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me to hear Your voice above my own so that I may walk in the way of truth.  Amen.

“But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”  But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” (Mark 6:15-16)

Speculation, speculation, speculation!  Have things really changed?  We speculate and then proceed as if we know what the truth is.  Come to know the truth.  The truth is not a proposition, a speculation, a feeling, but the reality that Jesus is God in the flesh.  He has come to lead as many as hear His voice into truth.  He is the truth.  Do not live by the speculations of this world, but in the Truth who is Jesus.

Lord, I am often carried away by the thoughts of those around me.  There is constant speculation and then positions are held and there is great hostility.  Help me to live according to Your purpose.  You created me and continue to guide me in the truth You have revealed.  Lead me into all truth.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to see that only in You will I find what is right and true.

Lord Jesus, through all the confusion of this world, lead me to see that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Regardless of the cacophony of noise which surrounds me, help me to hear Your clear, gentle voice, and follow You.  Be the One who is leading me.  Let me hear Your voice clearly, listen, and obey to all that You command.  Help me to walk through the noise of this world and listen to You above all the distractions of this world. Amen.

“And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him” (Mark 6:14).

People pay just enough attention to make assumptions, but so little as to not even come close to the truth.  Rumors have often ruled our thoughts.  To answer the question of who Jesus is, is one of the most important questions you can ever ask.  Listening to rumors is one of the most dangerous things you can do.  Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

Jesus, Your name is still well known, and many are still speculating about who You are.  Help me to not be amongst the speculators but be one who seeks You knowing that You are God in the flesh who has come to lead the way for all who believe.  You guide the faithful into eternal salvation.  It is not just miraculous powers, but all power which You have.  You do raise the dead and are risen from the dead, but You are also the One through and for whom all things have been created.

Lord Jesus, Author and Finisher of my faith, lead me to deeper understanding of who You are.  Through Your revelation and by the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me to see more clearly that it is You alone who has come to show the way of everlasting life.  Help me to have wisdom and understanding, and live in the freedom You grant me by grace and through faith now and forevermore.  Amen.

“They went out and preached that men should repent.  And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them” (Mark 6:12-13).

It begins with repentance.  More than being sorry for things done that you know are wrong, repentance is about turning from the ways of this world and seeking the way of the Lord.  In this age, many continue the rebellion and do not see that the way of rebellion is death, of the soul and, eventually, of the body.  We are called into new life, and repentance is the entrance that begins the journey.

Lord, help me to see that only in You is there hope.  This world, as it does things in rebellion, is hopeless.  Guide me to see the evil of this age, repent where I have participated and live the way You lead me to live.  Let me not give permission where there is no permission for sin and learn how to cast out the demons of this age who promote continued rebellion.  Teach me what I need to know so that I may learn faithfulness.

Come, Holy Spirit, and convict me of my sins so that I may repent and move in the right direction.  Lead me in the upward call of my Savior Jesus.  Help me to walk by the sight You give me, doing what I am given by You to do.  Grant that I be bold to cast out demons and pray for the sick.  You are the One who does these things, but where it is in the Father’s will, do these things through me.  Amen.

“And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.  Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them” (Mark 6:10-11).

The Lord sends us to engage where we are to engage.  If we are not received, we are to shake the dust off our feet and leave.  The Lord does not coerce or force anyone to abide in faith.  The wickedness of this world does.  The Lord offers true life and those who believe and submit to Him will find that the new life He gives provides springs of living water.  Walk in the Lord’s counsel.

Lord, I need to be taught.  I know very little, especially when I think of the worlds that You have made.  Who am I that I would counsel You?  Guide me to have a right, contrite and humble heart in order that I may receive all that You would give me.  Lead me to know that only in You is there true life.  Whether I go or stay, help me to listen to You and learn faithfulness to Your word.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for trusting me with Your authority.  Help me to be trustworthy.  Thank You for Your grace.  Aid me to be gracious.  Thank You for Your mercy.  Show me how to be merciful.  Thank You for faith.  Teach me to be faithful.  In and through all things, be the One who leads me each step of the way so that I may grow in the righteousness You grant me by Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belt – but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics” (Mark 6:7-9).

Jesus gave them authority.  You and I can do nothing on our own.  When we pray for others, it is by the authority of Jesus.  When we lead, it is under the authority of Jesus.  It seems many in our day act as if they were their own authority.  One cannot prepare for what Jesus will ask you to do.  One can only prepare to serve the Lord at all times and in all places.  Seek the Lord while He may be found and go where He sends you.

Lord, there are so many conflicting ideas in this world.  So many act on their own authority.  Teach me that no matter what I do or who I face, if it is under Your authority that anything You grant will be accomplished.  Teach me that anything I do under my own authority will come to nothing.  Guide me in the way of living so that I become ever more like You.  Teach me what it means to be a disciple.

Lord Jesus, lead me this day and help me to submit to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  You alone know all that needs to be done.  You alone accomplish what needs to be done.  In and through You, even demons can be set aside.  Not by my power or by any pretense of any authority other than that which You grant, lead me to be faithful and obey all that You command.  Amen.

Script

Pastor: Good evening boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good evening to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good evening, Sammy!

Sammy: Guess what guess what guess what!

Pastor: What, Sammy? You seem really excited to tell us something.

Sammy: You are never going to believe what I saw!

Pastor: What did you see, Sammy?

Sammy: I was sleeping, okay? I was all curled up next to my maaamaaa and then all of a sudden, someone turned on the sun in the middle of the night.

Pastor: Someone turned on the sun?

Sammy: Yes! The sky was that bright! First there was darkness and little twinkly stars and then boom! A light as bright as the sun filled the sky. So of course I woke up. And you are never going to believe what happened next.

Pastor: Please tell us.

Sammy: I saw angels fill the sky. One angel named Gabriel told all of us: my maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds something really special.

Pastor: What did he say?

Sammy: Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[b] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

Pastor: What else happened?

Sammy: Well then the angels started singing! They sounded so good. Just like our choir here at St. Paul’s.

Pastor: Well what happened next?

Sammy: Are you serious, Pastor Jim? Of course I had to go see the baby. I love babies.

Pastor: Who went to go see the baby?

Sammy: My maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds, too. We all went.

Pastor: And, what did you think?

Sammy: The baby was so cute. His momma and dada wrapped him up in swaddling clothes just like the shepherds use for lambs and laid him in the manger—just like the manger I eat from. He’s a lamb just like me! But you know, Pastor Jim, I could tell that there is something really special about this baby.

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: This baby is no ordinary baby. This baby shone brighter than all of the angels in the night sky. And I felt such peace when I laid down in front of the manger. And I knew in my heart that even I, a little lamb, am so loved.

Pastor: Sammy, you witnessed the greatest event in the history of man. God is with us. A savior is born to us. Boys and girls, let’s pray: Dear Jesus: Thank you for being with us. Thank you for guiding us. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Sammy: I have a gift for each of the boys and girls here today. I have a little lamb for each of you to adopt into your family to remind you how much Jesus loves you. Pastor Jim, can you give everyone a lamb please?

Pastor Jim: Merry Christmas, Sammy!

Sammy: Merry Christmas, Pastor Jim! Merry Christmas and girls!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, happy last Sunday in Advent!

Pastor: Happy last Sunday in Advent to you, too, Sammy.

Sammy: Do you know what that means, Pastor?

Pastor: What does that mean, Sammy? 

Sammy: IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS! YAY!

Pastor: Yes it is. Woah. Try to contain your excitement everyone. Why are you all so excited for Christmas?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I am excited because we get to celebrate Jesus coming to earth as a tiny baby to save us from our sins. And I love the music on Christmas Eve. And I love the candles. And the smell of Christmas trees. And I love Christmas cookies. 

Pastor: I love the Christmas cookies, too, Sammy.

Sammy: I know, Pastor. Probably a little too much.

Pastor. Sammy, one of the things you mentioned is so important. Christmas is all about Jesus. Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby. 

Sammy: He is a very special baby.

Pastor: Yes he is.

Sammy: Why is he so special?

Pastor: Jesus was a special baby because his father is God and he was born fully God and fully man. He is both. And he was born to a very special lady. Her name was Mary. 

Sammy: I love Mary Pastor Jim. Thinking of her taking care of Jesus makes me think of my own maaamaaa.  

Pastor: And she should. Jesus needed everything other babies needed

Sammy: Like milk, and snuggles?

Pastor: Exactly Sammy. Jesus was human like us. He needed everything we needed. And he suffered everything we suffered. Can everyone pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for becoming man for us. Thank you for showing us how to be more like you. We love you. Amen. 

“And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He wondered at their unbelief.  And He was going around the villages teaching” (Mark 6:5-6).

This passage makes us think that the Lord will not force Himself upon anyone.  He can do things, but in the face of unbelief, He seems to do nothing.  He has come to grow in us faith and trust in Him.  What good would more provision do to cause a heart to have faith when all that has already been done has been rejected?  The Lord has come to grow in us faith, trusting in Him.  Trust cannot be forced.

Lord, I know that all things are possible with You, but there are times when nothing happens in my life, even though I am asking.  Am I that weak in faith that You will not act until I learn to trust You?  Rather than seeking from my own mind’s eye, help me come to the place of faith where I learn to trust that with You all things are possible.  Guide me in Your grace to see the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You have sent me into the world with a testimony of the truth You have revealed through grace.  I often encounter unbelief.  Lead me to see and believe all that You have shown me.  Despite those around me trying to lead me astray, help me to be faithful to You above all things.  Guide me in this faith You have given me knowing that all things have always been in Your hands.  You alone are the Savior of all who will believe.  Amen.

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.  Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household” (Mark 6:3-4).

In this world, we qualify and quantify.  We think we know when we do not.  Jesus is God in the flesh, and He appeared in a certain time and place according to the Father’s will.  People have been taking offense because of Him ever since.  People are offended by God.  Pride has torn down goodness and evil has taken root.  God is God and this is His creation.  But people will dishonor Him because of pride.

Lord, Help me to see others through Your eyes.  Pride causes others to dishonor You because of their evil ways.  Help me to accept others as I would want to be accepted.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to accept that You are Who You are and that You have created me to be who I am.  Let me take no offense other than where there is true offense.  Help me to see things as they are and not through the cloud of my own imagination.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save as many as believe.  Lead me in the salvation You have given no matter how many times those around me react with incredulous attitudes.  You are our Lord and Savior.  Lead me along the narrow path to do what is right in the Father’s sight.  Guide me into all righteousness for Your name’s sake knowing that in You I have hope and a future.  Amen.