Mark 6:14-20

¹⁴ King Herod heard about this, because Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised up from the dead ones; and for this reason these energies[1] are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ¹⁷ Because Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. ¹⁸ Because John had been telling Herod, “It is not proper for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰ because Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he listened to him, he was seriously confused; but he still liked to listen to him.

inner conflict

Herod’s actions give us a window into the inner conflict that so many unsaved people live with every single day. He was trapped in a sinful life of his own making, yet he was still drawn to spiritual truth. He liked listening to John. He felt the pull of conviction. Something in him recognized the voice of God when he heard it. But he was also tangled in fear, lust, pride, and political pressure. He was interested in spiritual things, yet seriously confused and unable to commit to the truth that stood right in front of him. His heart was divided, and that division tore him apart.

This is not unusual. In fact, it is far more common than we think. When someone rejects the gospel, we often assume they do so with a clear conscience, as if they have calmly and confidently decided that Christ is not for them. But that is almost never the case. Most people who push the gospel away are not at peace. They are conflicted. They are restless. They are haunted by questions they cannot silence. They are drawn to the light even as they cling to the darkness. They are like Herod—fascinated, fearful, and spiritually torn.

So do not assume your neighbor is unreachable. Do not assume your coworker has made up her mind. Do not assume your family member is hardened beyond hope. The people who seem indifferent are often the ones wrestling the most. The ones who appear confident in their unbelief are often the ones lying awake at night, wondering if they are wrong. The ones who seem to have no interest in Christ may be the ones who feel His pull most deeply but are afraid of what obedience would cost them.

These people need Jesus—and deep down, they know it. They may not admit it. They may not show it. They may not even understand it. But the Spirit is at work in places we cannot see. The gospel is stirring in hearts that look cold on the surface. And our calling is not to judge who is reachable and who is not. Our calling is to keep sowing the seed, keep speaking the truth, keep living the gospel, and keep praying for the Spirit to break through.

Herod reminds us that the battle for the human heart is often invisible. And that is why we must not give up on those who seem far away. God has a way of reaching people who appear unreachable.

LORD, show us how to reach those who seem to have put themselves out of reach. Give us patience, compassion, and courage as we speak Your truth into conflicted hearts.

[1] ενεργεω