February 17, 2025 | Be God's Family
Herod Wonders if Jesus is John Resurrected
Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12(NIV)
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.
Devotional
In the days of Herod the Tetrarch (a son of Herod from the time of Jesus’ birth), Jesus’ ministry and reputation began to blossom within the region. Herod, always one to fear competition, kept tabs on this new “rival” to his supremacy. However, not knowing Jesus, he suspected that these miracles and messages might be coming from a follower of John the Baptist. Herod had imprisoned John for having the temerity to call out his sharing of his (Herod’s) brother’s wife, Herodias, as his own. John likely spoke to Herod referencing the passage from Hebrew law: “Do not have marital relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.” (Leviticus 18:16).
Even from prison, Herod knew John still had the ability to stir up crowds. John, while he was not Jesus, wanted to bring Herod to righteousness, even if it cost John his freedom, and ultimately his life.
During a birthday celebration, Herodias’ daughter (Herod’s niece) brought pleasure to Herod through provocative dance. To reward the performance, Herod promised her anything she wanted. Influenced by her mother, she wished for John’s head on a platter. While Herod had no care for John’s well-being, he feared that John’s death could stir up the nation, start riots, and threaten his leadership. However, Herod was even more fearful of embarrassment by going back on his word in front of his family, friends, and court. He ordered John beheaded and had the head brought on a platter to Herodias’ daughter to fulfill her wish. Even though John had tried to bring Herod to God, earthly pleasures interested Herod more.
I am frequently guilty of fearing the opinions of my friends and close connections rather than the condemnation of God. I sometimes ignore or reject the messenger who calls me out for falling short. I have often looked over my shoulder at people who threaten my status at work, on a team, in school, or with a group of friends.
Would you have the courage to call out someone who is falling short of God’s expectations? Would you have the humility to listen to someone who was doing the same to you? What would that person have to say to you to get you to listen?
Poem
Shiggaion
Psalm 7
I’m singing you a song, Lord
It’s pouring from my soul
Emotions round me swirling
A tempest in me boils
This, Lord, my one solution
To empty out my grief
I’m singing you a song, Lord
I pray for some relief
I’m ripped apart by lions
Sharp teeth of enemies
The ones who should embrace me
Have thrown me to my knees
In silence, I stand stricken
As accusations fly
False witnesses, bold, foolish
Integrity on trial
They sharpen swords against me
They birth bold evil lies
You, Lord, my only shelter
You, Lord, now stand, arise
O, search me, Lord, and know me
Upon you do I wait
Sit down upon your judgment throne
My soul, do vindicate
