“17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb” Mark 6:17-29.
In this story, Herod, following this father, cherished his great ambition to have the Jews recognize him as their true king. He completed his father’s rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. John the Baptizer, however, was launching a different kind of Kingdom. His baptism was for the forgiveness of sins, and in every way it was in stark contrast to the Temple. John spoke of a different King than Herod. And when he criticized Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, it cost John his life.
John was a righteous and holy man, and the kingdom of which he spoke, and the forgiveness he offered, in the end won the day, even though it cost him his life.
Today consider in pray just what kind of a witness you are. While not called to give your life for the Kingdom of God, how committed are you to continue to build the Kingdom of God in your life? Do others know this is what you have a passion to do? If someone watched you, would they know your passion for Christ?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” Matthew 6:33.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” John 18:36.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” Luke 17:20-21.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” Mark 1:15.
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