eFollowingJesusFeb21 - John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:1-13)

   There are six Herods in the Bible.  But they are all brutal megalomaniacs, paranoid when questions are raised.  This Herod (Antipas) slept with his brother's wife - an immoral act that also embroiled Palestine in war with his real wife's father, the king of Arabia.  John the Baptist (who had already stirred Herod's jealousy) railed against this debauchery - and so was imprisoned at Machaerus and then beheaded after a seductive dance by Herodias's daughter.

   This tawdry, gruesome scene reveals the ominous fate of those who speak the truth in a world of decadence.  Just as John the Baptist pointed to Jesus at his Baptism (eFollowingJesus3), now we understand Jesus will suffer the same fate.  Countless martyrs through history have not flinched in the face of murderous threats, embracing death with a stunning joyfulness, feeling they were one with Christ, sharing his destiny.  In Robert Bolt's powerful drama about St. Thomas More being beheaded for denouncing Henry VIII's relationship with Anne Boleyn we read this question:  "Dare we enter the kingdom with ease when our Lord entered with so much pain?" 

   Lord, I understand that suffering is involved when I follow You closely.  Remind me of our holy fellowship with You, John, and history's martyrs.

James

james@mpumc.org

Sunday's sermon on Matthew 12:1-14 (the Sabbath controversy) may be heard by clicking here - and you can get it via podcast now: click here.

This scene has been painted by a multitude of artists, including Titian and Caravaggio - and is the theme of Strauss's opera, Salome.

Here is the full text of Matthew 14:1-13 -   1: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; 2: and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 3: For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; 4: because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5: And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6: But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and pleased Herod, 7: so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8: Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." 9: And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; 10: he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11: and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12: And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. 13: Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.