A Martyr For Jesus

 Matthew 14: 1-12

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 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.

Fairness is not the rule of this world. John sincerely and steadfastly spent his life preaching repentance and readiness for the coming of the Savior. When the scandal of Herod's unlawful marriage to his brother's wife took place, he confronted and decried iHerod, landing himself in jail and not on the list of Herodias's favorite people. When the opportunity arose for his elimination, she wasted no time. Standing up for justice and truth. have brought others to martyrdom through the centuries, even to this very day. Even if it will not actually be our lot, let us pray for those who do suffer persecution and martyrdom unjustly.

Bro. Rene