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 miraculous 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 had been saying 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. (Matthew 14)
This sick story left plenty of guilt to go around: Herod, Herodias, her daughter, the cheering party guests, and the executioners all had blood on their hands. After caring for the body of John the Baptist the next thing they did was go to tell Jesus. Though they were ministering in different locations, and their time of ministry only overlapped shortly, they were of one mind and direction. We often only read this passage in terms of historical statement, but it was much more to Jesus. He was fully man as much as God, and His responses to major events in His life should be exemplary and instructional for us as we face life's crises, major announcements, and changes in the playing field. So let us watch and listen. More tomorrow.
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