3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
4for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."
- P88
Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10and had John beheaded in the prison.
11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
- P89
Herod hears about Jesus and thinks He is John the Baptist risen from the dead.
The passage recounts how Herod had John imprisoned because of Herodias.
At a banquet, Herodias‘s daughter dances, and Herod promises her anythingshe wants. She asks for John‘s head on a platter. Herod orders John to bebeheaded. John‘s disciples bury his body then tell Jesus what happened. - P89
When Herod the tetrarch hears the reports about Jesus, he is convinced it is John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod had arrested John because he told him his marriage to his sister-in-law Herodias was unlawful. By imprisoning his nemesis, Herod sought to silence the truth of the prophet’s words, but God’s words can never be silenced. - P90
God’s words can never be overcome, even by those who wield worldly power and authority. Let us always remember that our allegiance is to God and God alone. - P90
Times change, worldly powers come and go, but the Word of God endures forever. - P90
Despite all of Herod‘s power, prestige, and worldly authority he is a slaveto his passion and pride. Herod‘s foolish oath and a weakness for his stand-ing in the eyes of his dinner guests result in the tragic death of John theBaptist. - P90
Even the most cursory reading of Scripture confirms that sufferingand death are, more often than not, the worldly "reward" of those faithfulprophets who challenge the rulers of this world. The cross of Jesus is evidence of this truth. - P90
But a willingness to be faithful to our Lord even untodeath brings eternal rewards that far outshine the pain and suffering we mayexperience in this life. - P90
Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to live my life for You, and if it comes to it, to die for You. I desire to experience Your resurrection life in the midst of a dying world. In Your name, I pray, amen.
- P91
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