Mark 6: 14-29
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets long ago.”
But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
She went to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
At once she hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought his head on a silver platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
A Thought
John the Baptist had to pay a huge price for spreading the gospel! Herod refused to accept the word of John even thought he liked to listen to him knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When we hear the Word of God speaking to us, we need to respond. The longer that we leave things in our life that are not pleasing to God, the more likely we will make other bad choices. This is what happened to Herod who had married his brother’s wife, Herodias. After Herodias’ daughter so pleased Herod and his guest with her dance, Herod promised with his oath to give her anything she desired up to half his kingdom. Although her request for John’s head distressed Herod, he sent an executioner and had John’s head brought in on a silver platter. Yes, sin will take you further than you want to go! Is there something God is speaking to you about today?
Our Prayer
Father search our hearts and reveal any sin that may separate us from you. We pray for all ministers of the gospel that they will give warning by the Truth of your Word to repent and to accept forgiveness for all sin and unrighteousness. We pray for your protection on all missionaries around the world. Send your Holy Spirit to make us accountable to the Truth of your Word. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
