Matthew 14:6-8
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’
Well! Well! Well! So much for a happy birthday present. The thing that bothers me most about birthdays is that I am reminded that I am getting older. On March 14th I will celebrate my 80th birthday.
Some wit has suggested that pre-teens add one half to their age (“I’m twelve and a half!”) while teens say they are almost the next age (“I’ll be sixteen!”). Twenty year olds boast about their age; at thirty and beyond, it is easier to say nothing about how old they are. At age 80 it is well to gasp out that we have made it to 80. Beyond this, we are just happy to make it to Tuesday!
There are only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible. Pharaoh’s in Genesis 40 and Herod’s in the New Testament. Someone lost their head at both of these celebrations — the baker at Pharaoh’s birthday party and John the Baptist at Herod’s birthday bash.
I feel that age has nothing to do with fruitful service. Many teens are more effective workers for Christ than others much older. I have come to echo the sentiments of Paul in 1 Philippians 1:21-22: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!” I will keep my head!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil