Herod heard what was done by
Jesus, and was perplexed because some said John the Baptizer had risen from the
dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the
prophets had come back. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this, about
whom I hear such things?” He wanted to see Jesus.
Herod had earlier arrested John,
and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother’s wife, whom
Herod had married. John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to live with your
brother’s wife.” Herodias set herself against John and desired to kill him, but
she couldn’t because Herod feared John. Knowing John was a righteous and holy
man, Herod kept him safe and liked to listen to him.
When Herod’s birthday came, he had
a feast for his nobles, high officers, and chief men of Galilee. When the
daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting
with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I
will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will
give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
She went out, and said to her
mother, “What shall I ask?”
She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
She came in immediately with
haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John
the Baptizer on a platter.”
The king was exceedingly sorry,
but for the sake of his oaths and his guests, didn’t want to refuse her. The
king sent a soldier of his guard, and told him to bring John’s head. The
soldier beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it
to the young lady, who gave it to her mother.
When John’s disciples heard
this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Reflection
Other than the Emperor, Herod
was the supreme ruler in all of Judea. As so often is the case, however, his
power didn’t enable him to deny his wife or daughter what they wanted, nor was
he able to “look weak” in front of his guests. Have you ever felt backed into a
corner, forced to make what you knew was a bad choice in order to avoid being
thought weak by others? How did it turn out?
Prayer: Give me the courage
to do the right thing, Lord, rather than back down for fear of what others may
think.
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