How did Jesus respond to the violent death of John the Baptist? Not with revenge, fear, or hatred, but with love and compassion.
In today’s A Word of Hope, we reflect on the Gospel story of John the Baptist’s beheading and the contrast between human desires for retaliation and God’s way of love. After John’s death, Jesus continues to minister to the crowds, healing them, teaching them, and eventually feeding the five thousand.
Jesus shows us that living in love does not mean ignoring injustice. It means refusing to let anger, hatred, and revenge control our response to a broken world. Even in the midst of grief, Jesus remains compassionate.
How might we practice that same love today?
📖 Gospel context: Mark 6:14–29; Matthew 14:1–21
⏱️ Timeline:
00:00 – The death of John the Baptist
00:26 – Herod, Herodias, and John’s witness
00:57 – The banquet and John’s execution
01:26 – Jesus does not respond with revenge
02:00 – Jesus responds with compassion
02:41 – Love instead of anger and retaliation
03:09 – Living in love amid suffering and injustice
03:29 – A challenge for today
04:00 – Closing blessing
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