Our Bible reading today is about the murder of John the Baptist.
Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell the story of John the Baptist’s death at the hands of King Herod.
A quick look at the story tells us that Herod, ruler of Galilee, is disturbed by rumors surrounding Jesus, some believing Jesus to be John risen from the dead. Herod, having imprisoned John for criticizing his marriage, wrestles with his conscience.
Herodias, Herod’s wife and John’s chief critic, manipulates her daughter to request John’s head on a platter as a birthday present. Herod, bound by oath to fulfill the request in front of his guests, reluctantly agrees. John is beheaded in prison, and his disciples retrieve his body for burial.
Looking closely at the words from the Gospel writers reminds me of three great truths.
1. Guilt will follow you. Matthew. – 14:1-2
[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus [2] and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Herod’s guild caused him to see danger when it wasn’t even there. Proverbs 28:1 explains this: “The wicked flee when no one pursues.”
2. Hate is powerful and causes irrational behavior. – Mark 6:23
[23] And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!”
To understand what Herod promised, you have to understand that the expression was a way of saying “I give you a lot.” It was an expression that was known and did not mean he would divide his kingdom in half.
The pull of hatred in seen in verse 24, promised anything, the girl asked her mother. She could have asked for wealth an fame, but she answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”
- In life you have to do the best you can with the circumstances you have. – Mark 6:29, “When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.” This was not what they wanted, but this is what they had and they did what they could,
Lonnie Davis