Matthew 14:1-12

John The Baptist: The Cost of Discipleship

Matthew 14:1-12

The New King James Version Chapter 14

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Herod here incorrectly identifies Jesus.

He believes Jesus is John. Because Jesus sounded familiar to him. The reports Herod received made him think of John the Baptist

King Herod was a man who was influenced by others and his own desires and lusts.

By putting his desire to please certain people and because he didn’t want to repent of his sin he put John to death.

This kind of sin is what we call

Unrepentant Sin: When we try to avoid dealing with the sin and try to rename it or justify it or rationalize it. God says its Sin but we don’t want to give it up. Unrepentant sin is sin we are aware of but because of our stubbornness and desires we refuse to admit it.

Herod Liked John the Baptist but his message was a bit inconvenient to him and Herodias, so they locked him up

When we do not repent from our sins and continue to give into our flesh and its desires it will lead us down a path that leads to death.

Proverbs 16:25

The New King James Version Chapter 16

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

Make sure you are running your ways by God to make sure you are following His ways not yours.

Here is how to align ourselves with God.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6

The New King James Version Chapter 10

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

When we are careless and don’t take our thoughts to God we miss out on the abundant life that Jesus promises us.

Rom 6:23

The New King James Version Chapter 6

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John the baptist on the other hand was a man who lived his calling.

From birth he recognized Jesus and served him.

A prophet, a man with a message, Repent and be Baptized.

The blessing and the fullness of God is only found when we are where God wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do.

Not that God is controlling but he knows and understands us better than ourselves.

I do want to address a couple more things that are directly connected to sin. Shame and Guilt.

Shame and Guilt

Herod now lives in Shame and Guilt therefore is worried about Jesus. Thinks that John the Baptist is back from the dead.

These two operate on a different level, but are like parasites to sin.

Shame says “I am wrong” “There is something wrong with me”

Guilt says “I did something Wrong”

Their objective is to feed off our sins, our failures and mistakes and poor decisions.

I need to address these every time I speak of sin because I have found that most of us are eager to repent and not sin, but shame and guilt paralyze us and keep us down and out.

God wants you to understand that Sin does Not have that Kind of Power over you Anymore!!

Sin was defeated and its sting null and void!

Isaiah 54:4

The New King James Version Chapter 54

4 “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;

Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;

For you will forget the shame of your youth,

And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.

There is no more shame but there is hope and Life!

Isaiah 61:7 NKJV

Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

The New King James Version Chapter 61

7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.

Therefore in their land they shall possess double;

Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

The Bible says that both these loose their power over us when Jesus is in us.

There can be no more room for these thoughts in our minds.

The good things we should focus our minds on are love, life, repentance, growth, forward movement.

Do not look back or keep beating yourself up. You are not Herod.