1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 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.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Herod didn’t know Jesus…
This is a reality show waiting for broadcast on FOX…
· Herod is sleeping with his brother’s wife, Herodias
· Herodias is angry at John’s judgment of their relationship and wants John dead
· Herodias’ daughter dances so well at the king’s banquet that he offers her anything she wants
· Herodias convinces her daughter to ask for John’s Head
· John’s severed head is delivered to the girl at the party.
It just proves…you can take the family out of the trailer park, but…
Don’t you wonder at Herod’s choice in women…? Don’t you wonder what the daughter was thinking? She can ask for anything she wants and gets talked into choosing a severed head? (Too much Black Sabbath?) And, really? Bring a severed head to a party? It just seems to me that would kill the festive atmosphere.
But bad behavior has its consequences. Just like an Edgar Allen Poe story, Herod couldn’t get John off his mind. The whole episode was haunting him. So much that, when he heard about Jesus, he assumed Jesus must have been the resurrected John the Baptist…coming back to get him. If he thought John was haunting him… my, wasn’t he in for a surprise?
But…this is about what we get from people who don’t know Jesus. Perhaps a bit more sophisticated, more subtle…but just as barbaric and superstitious. And don’t try to tell me you were never that bad. It’s just a question of circumstance and opportunity. I am so grateful for the gift of faith. I am no longer who I was.
I hope my gratitude shows…
Live boldly out there today…
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