Mark 6:16

THE POWER OF A GOOD LIFE

‘But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.’

Mark 6:16

The Baptist had been slain in prison, but a new star was shedding light on all the land. Our Blessed Lord was doing unnumbered works of mercy, and Herod was alarmed. Note—

I. A good life is always the same.—A life of piety issues in like beauty and fragrance in all ages and in all parts of the world. When a man becomes a Christian he has not to do what has never been done before, but simply what his predecessors have done. He has not to strike out an original path, but to be a follower ‘of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’

II. A good life never dies.—Persecution may kill the man, but it cannot blot out his memory, or destroy his influence. It is true that even in the ordinary course of things there are those removed by death whose continuance on the earth seems necessary to the progress of the Church. Yet how often do we find that, as from the ashes of the dead spring the heart for higher love and the arm for sublimer service?

III. A good life troubles the bad life.—A wicked man may do much to be at ease in his wickedness; he may drive away or kill the messengers of God; he may flatter himself that henceforth he can go on in his own way, neither fearing God nor regarding man; but at some point in his life a word will go blazing, rushing through his soul, a hand will smite him, a presence will confront him, and he will find that it is all in vain that he has attempted to confound the difference between right and wrong.

IV. A good life triumphs.—It triumphs:—

(a) Historically. Herod’s name is execrated; the Baptist’s extolled.

(b) In its influence. John was killed in the prison, but was alive in the palace.

(c) In its power. Herod’s kingdom passed away; the voice of the Baptist sounds aloud throughout the world to-day.

Illustration

‘ “God buries His workman, but carries on His work.” When the Rev. C. S. Thompson died of his exertions in fighting the famine and cholera among the Bhils of Western India, four other missionaries, out of many who volunteered, were selected to carry on and extend the work. The whole of these, with the Rev. A. Outram and his wife, who worked in another part of the district, were invalided as the result of the painful sights, incessant labours, and unhealthy surroundings. The story is much the same in each case. One after another they were found by their colleagues battling on in spite of illness, and only induced to give up when the strain had reached breaking point. When they succumbed, another set were ready to take their place.’