Losing Your Head

John the Baptist

The last time we hear from John he is imprisoned. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mk 1:14–16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. This is a mark of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the end of John’s ministry. John could be heard saying, He must increase and I must decrease. With that being said John does not stop being bold in his proclamation of the law. John is imprisoned for speaking to the sinful nature of King Herod and his marrying of his brothers wife.

King Herod uses his power and authority to give himself permission to be above the Law. First we have common law that says we must avoid incest. Herod is not only taking his brothers wife but their daughter. This is a sin of arrogance that says with me it does not matter, I can have whatever I want. John does not give him the reward but tries to convict him of his arrogant sin. This lands John in prison.

The New Revised Standard Version The Death of John the Baptist

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Now Herod had the authority and ability to snap his fingers and John would have been executed on the spot. Not doing this shows that Herod had some respect for John as a prophet of God. And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mk 6:19–20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Herod likes to listen to John preach but only wants to hear his message from time to time and then put him back in his cage. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mk 6:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

I hope that message sticks with you today. The idea that people can try and control the convictions they have.

Herod was bold about his desire to have anything he wanted without cost, but he soon finds out there is a cost for his sin. It was well known that a Kings power was truly a strong power, but the flaw is in the idea that when king declares something his word is always kept. Herod is so bold that hi offers anything for the appreciation of the dancers performance. Herodias finds away to get rid of John the Baptist by asking for his head on a platter. The king could not deny her request because it was proper for a king to honor his word.

Today, I want you to consider your oaths to God, your true king. Is it not important to you to honor these oaths?

Also, Herod listened to the preaching of John the Baptist, respected his authority of his holiness, but John’s preaching put Herod into a tight corner. We today call this conviction. Today, are you convicted?