Matthew 14:1-13
Matthew 14 opens with the explanation of why Herod had John the Baptist beheaded at a feast. The rumors of miracles being performed, the dead being raised has Herod thinking back on the forced execution of John the Baptizer.
John had been imprisoned for approaching Herod and rebuking him for stealing his brother's wife. Understand this, John knew that taking this stand would result in his death. And at a party where Herod was content with leaving John locked up forever, but his manipulative new wife was anything but content. She wanted blood.
So she manipulated her daughter, likely Herod's niece into dancing seductively for her new stepfather, the king. She was promised in a moment of hubris on Herod's part anything her heart desired. And with one consultation with her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
And despite his fear of John's followers, he listened to his wife, which honestly is the source of many a man's downfall. It is this depiction of his execution that the producers of the Chosen have brought to life the tragedy and hope John the Baptist had at his time of death.
I encourage you to watch that scene if you haven't already. As he is led to the chopping block, the wry grin on his face as he says, “I've never been to a banquet.” And as he kneels to see the lamb in front of the setting sun as the axe falls, the irony of his first banquet being his last is felt.
The actor captures all of that emotion with a look. He is amazing. When you watch, remember, this is the man Jesus said was the greatest man alive. Fortunately, not all believers are called to die for their faith but we are all expected to do so if it comes to it. So will we approach our end with the same faith John had?
We can only pray that we would remain faithful with His strength. We can only in these times do as he did and look to the lamb. And maybe, with this faith, look forward to the banquet we will be welcomed to when we open our eyes in death the first time.
[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, [2] and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” [3] For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. [4] For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” [5] Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. [6] But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, [7] so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. [8] And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” [9] And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests. [10] He sent word 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] John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. [13] Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 14 opens with the explanation of why Herod had John the Baptist beheaded at a feast. The rumors of miracles being performed, the dead being raised has Herod thinking back on the forced execution of John the Baptizer.
John had been imprisoned for approaching Herod and rebuking him for stealing his brother's wife. Understand this, John knew that taking this stand would result in his death. And at a party where Herod was content with leaving John locked up forever, but his manipulative new wife was anything but content. She wanted blood.
So she manipulated her daughter, likely Herod's niece into dancing seductively for her new stepfather, the king. She was promised in a moment of hubris on Herod's part anything her heart desired. And with one consultation with her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
And despite his fear of John's followers, he listened to his wife, which honestly is the source of many a man's downfall. It is this depiction of his execution that the producers of the Chosen have brought to life the tragedy and hope John the Baptist had at his time of death.
I encourage you to watch that scene if you haven't already. As he is led to the chopping block, the wry grin on his face as he says, “I've never been to a banquet.” And as he kneels to see the lamb in front of the setting sun as the axe falls, the irony of his first banquet being his last is felt.
The actor captures all of that emotion with a look. He is amazing. When you watch, remember, this is the man Jesus said was the greatest man alive. Fortunately, not all believers are called to die for their faith but we are all expected to do so if it comes to it. So will we approach our end with the same faith John had?
We can only pray that we would remain faithful with His strength. We can only in these times do as he did and look to the lamb. And maybe, with this faith, look forward to the banquet we will be welcomed to when we open our eyes in death the first time.
[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, [2] and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” [3] For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. [4] For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” [5] Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. [6] But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, [7] so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. [8] And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” [9] And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests. [10] He sent word 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] John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. [13] Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 14:1-13
Matthew 14 opens with the explanation of why Herod had John the Baptist beheaded at a feast. The rumors of miracles being performed, the dead being raised has Herod thinking back on the forced execution of John the Baptizer.
John had been imprisoned for approaching Herod and rebuking him for stealing his brother's wife. Understand this, John knew that taking this stand would result in his death. And at a party where Herod was content with leaving John locked up forever, but his manipulative new wife was anything but content. She wanted blood.
So she manipulated her daughter, likely Herod's niece into dancing seductively for her new stepfather, the king. She was promised in a moment of hubris on Herod's part anything her heart desired. And with one consultation with her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
And despite his fear of John's followers, he listened to his wife, which honestly is the source of many a man's downfall. It is this depiction of his execution that the producers of the Chosen have brought to life the tragedy and hope John the Baptist had at his time of death.
I encourage you to watch that scene if you haven't already. As he is led to the chopping block, the wry grin on his face as he says, “I've never been to a banquet.” And as he kneels to see the lamb in front of the setting sun as the axe falls, the irony of his first banquet being his last is felt.
The actor captures all of that emotion with a look. He is amazing. When you watch, remember, this is the man Jesus said was the greatest man alive. Fortunately, not all believers are called to die for their faith but we are all expected to do so if it comes to it. So will we approach our end with the same faith John had?
We can only pray that we would remain faithful with His strength. We can only in these times do as he did and look to the lamb. And maybe, with this faith, look forward to the banquet we will be welcomed to when we open our eyes in death the first time.
[1] At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, [2] and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” [3] For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. [4] For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” [5] Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. [6] But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, [7] so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. [8] And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” [9] And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests. [10] He sent word 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] John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. [13] Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
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