A deadly birthday promise

A deadly birthday promise

Scripture:

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus

Observation:

In this passage, we encounter the sad incident of yet another great servant of God being martyred by wicked men. John the Baptist had been speaking out against Herod the tetrarch for his sinful relationship with Herodias, who was the wife of his own brother. Because of this, Herod actually wanted to kill John, but he was afraid doing so would make him unpopular with the people who considered John a prophet. Instead, he arrested John and put him in prison.

Meanwhile, the evil woman Herodias kept a grudge against John the Baptist and looked for an opportunity to have him killed once and for all. That day came on Herod’s birthday, when Herodias’ daughter danced so well for the guests that he carelessly promised on oath to give her whatever she wanted. Her evil mother quickly prompted her to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod knew he had been caught in a trap, and unable to lose face to his dinner guests, acceded to her morbid request though he was distressed at having to kill John.

In great sadness, John’s disciples came and took their master’s body and buried it and they informed Jesus what had happened.

There are at least four important lessons here that we can learn from this passage. Firstly, is the importance of speaking the Word of God without fear or favor. John the Baptist bravely rebuked one of the most powerful and dangerous men in Judea, fully aware that Herod would most likely kill him. In fact, John the Baptist was calling Herod to repentance and end his sinful relationship with Herodias. John was true to God’s Word and his ministry regardless of who the audience was.

Secondly, whether we are great or small, famous or unknown, we all must have right relationships. Herod perhaps thought he was above the law because of his high position, but in God’s eyes, whether king or beggar, all alike are accountable to Him.

Thirdly, do not give foolish open promises. Herod foolishly let Herodias’ daughter ask for anything, promising her in advance whatever she asked would be fulfilled. A similar incident was Jephthah vowing to God that whatever living thing he saw first after returning from victorious battle would be sacrificed, and it turned out his daughter came first. We would do well to follow the Lord’s teaching not to make vows flippantly but simply let our yes be yes and our no be no.

Finally, we must do the right thing, even at the cost of personal public disgrace. King Herod did not want to kill John the Baptist in that time and manner, but could not get over losing face to his dinner guests. Today, we are so concerned to be politically correct and avoid displeasing others but if it means we will be doing something very clearly wrong, we have to stand our ground even against popular opinion, even at great personal cost or disgrace to us.

Application:

Pray to God for the courage and wisdom to speak His Word without fear or favor when we are called to do so. Remember the importance of having right relationships, regardless of who we are, great or small. If we are stuck in a wrong relationship, ask the Lord for wisdom on what to do. In regard to marriage, Scripture provides some guidance whereby in situations where there is an unbelieving spouse, the believing spouse is not to leave but continue to pray for the salvation of the other. In cases where there is abuse, separation may be necessary but divorce is not to be initiated or encouraged by the believer.

Remember the importance of guarding our mouths from foolish statements or promises. Pray for the strength to make strong decisions to do the right thing even at the price of personal cost or disgrace if need be.

Prayer:

Praise You, Father in Heaven, for You give us all we need. We pray to You this day O Lord for courage and wisdom to speak Your Word and to do Your will without fear or favor when You call us to do so. We submit our relationships to You O Lord. Give us the wisdom in how to handle our relationships. Guard our mouths we pray from foolish words and promises and grant us the courage to make the decision to do the right thing even under tremendous pressure to do otherwise. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.