Greatly Puzzled Faith

6 min read

19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
—Mark 6:19-20

Of course, Herodias would come to manipulate Herod into executing John the Baptizer. Herod was a secular Jew. He grew up in the Jewish culture, and he may have even been trained in the Scriptures, but his worldview was definitely of the world, not of the kingdom of God. And that explains why Herod was “greatly puzzled.”

But Herod is not unique when it comes to being “greatly puzzled.” We too become “greatly puzzled” when we hear things that contradict our own worldview. And let’s face it. Because of the sin in this world and in our own hearts, we are frequently, if not often, “greatly puzzled” by the word of God.

I’m talking about church-going Christians, here. We would expect that people who attend church infrequently or people who attend church only rarely to be puzzled by by the word of God. But we would think that those who have been attending church pretty much all of their lives would give a hearty “Amen” to the preaching of God’s word and live their lives accordingly.

I don’t know why I’m surprised when that is not the case.

But I should reflect on my own inconsistencies, seeing as how I am a pastor and a preacher and a teacher. Because I do give a hearty “Amen” to the deep and even the difficult teachings of Scripture, but I cannot say that I consistently live my life accordingly.

Even in this reflection, the inclination of my heart to cast judgment on “immature” Christians reveals that my heart is also “greatly puzzled” by the unconditional love and extravagant grace of Christ. So how can I cast judgment on anyone for being puzzled by Scripture?

Even so, my heart breaks when I see brothers and sisters struggling and suffering so much because their lives, their families, and other relationships have been shaped more by pursuing the kingdom of the world than by seeking the kingdom of God—even though they have been attending church all of their lives.

I mean, if we suffer for seeking the kingdom of God, we know that God is working for our good. If we suffer because our worldview is being shaped by the world, it’s just suffering.

As for me, I have found that the transformation of own heart so that I can understand the deeper things of the gospel of grace and peace and hope and love has taken time, and there is still such a long way to go.

In many ways, I am still greatly puzzled by the word of God. But by God’s grace, as I seek first His kingdom and righteousness, His word and His will become progressively clearer. May that clarity progress more rapidly in me and in us.

Father, Because of Your love for us, You have revealed Your will to us through Your word. And because of Your love, You have revealed Your love through our Lord Jesus Christ. I confess that what You reveal to us is blurry because our hearts have been corrupted by the world. Continue to refine our hearts, so that we will not be merely puzzled by Your word but rejoicing in obedience to Your word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.