Love & Respect
So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. Mark 6:19-20
In the timeless words of Renaissance political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, "It is better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both." This profound statement offers a lens through which we can view the intricate dance of politics and power. However, digging deeper into this there is something to be said about this. Consider the essence of our human experience: in the face of danger, we may fight fiercely to survive, driven by the instinctual fear of death. But this constant state of battle is exhausting, unsustainable. In contrast, the love we hold for our family fuels us with a boundless energy, a resolve to persevere through any hardship, no matter how frequent or arduous the struggle. Love, in its purest form, is the ultimate motivator.
This brings me to the question: does God seek our fear or love? I mention this not because it is a legitimate question. It is to make this particularly important and significant point. God does not want us to fear Him. He wants us to respect Him. My fear of my dad growing up did not occur because he was a fearful man although he could certainly strike fear into me. It was more than I would hate to ever disappointment. I always loved and respected him.
Our relationship with God should be one of both love and respect and never an absolute one or the other. I read about the death of John the Baptist and was particularly interested in what Herod thought of him despite choosing to behead him. Sounds contradictory but there were other dynamics in place (going against his word vs. his opinion – another time for that conversation). I bring the verses to light because in Herod’s decision, note that because he knew John “was a good and holy man, he protected him.” Even when there were disagreements, “he liked to listen to him.” In hearing this aspect of the story, it gave a goal for us to aspire to. As followers of Christ, let us aspire to embody these virtues—to be good and holy, to earn respect through our actions, and to be open to understanding diverse perspectives. Jesus Himself chose Paul, once an adversary, to spread His message, illustrating the transformative power of love and understanding.
Embracing the journey with God is an odyssey of love and enlightenment. As we deepen our understanding, we grow in respect for all that God has done for us, and we learn to appreciate the grace bestowed upon us. Love and respect are not mutually exclusive; they are harmonious, and when we feel a disconnect, it is a call to seek a greater understanding of God's will for our lives. Let us seek that in all we do. Where do you feel unbalanced in your relationship with God? How do you walk forward as respected follower of Christ? My prayer is that our journey of faith reflects a healthy relationship with God that is both loved and respected. Amen.