For Friday, March 27, 2026:

Luke 3:19-20 NLT: “John (the baptist) also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs Herod had done. So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.”

Notice the focus of John’s criticism. Not the governmental system, not the Roman army, not the prisons. In John’s eyes, what Herod had done wrong was marrying his brother’s wife. John is critical of Herod’s moral failure.

God’s plan is for one man and one woman to come together, and they become a family. This law is written on our hearts, so everybody already knows. Even hardened criminals whose personal mission is to live outside the law know not to take someone else’s wife.

John’s boldness landed him in prison and ultimately led to his demise. Interestingly, Herod liked John and sometimes listened to him proclaim the Good News. “The Kingdom of God is at hand!” The Messiah has arrived; turns out to be God’s Son! Herod was almost a Christian, but not quite. In the end, it was Herodias, the adulteress, who objected to John’s criticism and ordered his death.

Jesus says, “Don’t begin until you consider the cost.” There may be a cost for joining the Jesus team. John chose to stand up for God’s principles, and it eventually cost him his life. On the other hand, Peter lied, denying Jesus three times to save his own skin. He was destined to be the point person for the new Christian church, the Way. God wouldn’t accept “no” for an answer.

Count on God to guide you on your spiritual journey and give you the right answers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church