Mark 6:17 For 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 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful 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 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

I’ll have to make this quick today. Seems like Herod had a complicated relationship with John the Baptist. Herod resented John for calling him when he married his brother’s wife, yet v.20 says “he liked to listen to him”. There was something about John that appealed to Herod. What might have happened if Herod had not been tricked into killing John (as we read later in this chapter)? Could Herod have been a person of peace for John? Interesting indeed…

Lord, your spirit stirs in all kinds of people – even awful people like Herod. Stir in me again today heavenly Father. Amen.