4
Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child."
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Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there - he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all.
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He couldn't get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
7
Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition.
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He sent them off with these instructions: "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
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"And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
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"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."
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Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different;
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right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
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King Herod heard of all this, for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone's lips. He said, "This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead - that's why he's able to work miracles!"
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Others said, "No, it's Elijah." Others said, "He's a prophet, just like one of the old-time prophets."
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But Herod wouldn't budge: "It's John, sure enough. I cut off his head, and now he's back, alive."
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Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
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For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery."
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Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn't dare
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because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt - and yet he couldn't stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back.
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But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee.
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Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests.
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Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!"
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She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer."