DON’T BEHEAD THE MESSAGE 016
Today is the feast day of St John the Baptist. The image of his head on a platter is shocking. For a long time, I thought it was just about a dance — some scandal at a king’s party. But the truth….this one’s a doozy - John confronted Herod about his MARRIAGE: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Herodias nursed her RESENTMENT, Herod drowned his judgment in ALCOHOL, PRIDE and LUST sealed the deal - the prophet was silenced.
John lost his head not because of a dance, but because he dared to speak truth about marriage.
That’s not ancient history. Today, we may not serve heads on platters, but we do cut off the voices that call us back to covenant - the prophets in our own lives, our own conscience, the quiet word of Christ. We silence them with busyness, selfishness, resentment, or our…endless-chase-for-comfort.
Marriage is one of the first places we mute that truth. We live in a culture built on the soulmate myth, “living your best life,” and curating highlight reels for social media. And when the hard work of covenant doesn’t match the fantasy - we want out.
But marriage was never meant to be an Instagram story. It’s the hand-over-hand tug-of-war through the mud. It’s yin to your too-much yang. It’s rent paid, laundry folded, lunches packed, the trench dug side by side. The small, unflashy acts of love - done daily, not just on anniversaries or “birthday-months” - those are what BUILD A LIFE. Those are what SANCTIFY us.
The sanctity of marriage isn’t a slogan. It’s a daily recommitment, a daily decision to show up, to serve, and to find joy in the ordinary faithfulness of your partner. John the Baptist died for telling that truth. Maybe we can at least die to our pride and live it.
REFLECTIONS
1. Where am I silencing the prophets in my life right now — ignoring the voice of God, my spouse, or my own conscience — because it cuts too close to my comfort?
2. When I think about my marriage (or my vision of marriage), do I chase after soulmate fantasies and “best life now” illusions, or do I honor the daily, ordinary acts of covenant love?
3. How can I see rent paid, laundry folded, meals cooked, and kids cared for — not as background noise, but as holy acts of love worth celebrating?
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HOMEWORK
• Men: This weekend, write down three small, ordinary things your spouse has done recently that you’ve taken for granted. Intentionally, Name them, speak them out loud and THANK HER for them.
• Women: Look at the everyday ways your man shows up — his provision, his labor, his presence. Write down three and TELL HIM you see it.
• For both: Commit to one small act of love each day this week that costs you pride, not just convenience. Fold the laundry. Pay the bill. Make the lunch. Pray for each other. Write it down. Do it.
This is your Workbench. This is where the vices of resentment and selfishness are dismantled, and the covenant is rebuilt with hands dirty and hearts awake.