Giving Up Life for the Truth

 

 

 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.

A terrible story of jealousy, fear and vindictiveness. John the Baptist was not a  man to be silenced and even from his prison cell he posed a threat to Herod and Herodias. Killing him eliminated his voice but the truth could not be buried. Over the centuries martyrs have sacrificed their lives as they spoke out for the truth. Do we have their courage and conviction?  How are we even in small things? I'd say we all need a dose of "John Juice" to give us the backbone to speak out against wrong and promote what is right. John, help us!

Bro. Rene

Dear God, strengthen my faith and give me courage to speak out against evil.  Amen.