Sunday, August 19th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36

Today's scripture focus is Matthew 14:1-12

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, ² and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.


What a horrible story about an incredibly twisted family, full of incest and betrayal.  Herod's brother had original married Herodias - his own niece.  But then Herod and Herodias each divorced their respective spouses so that they could marry each other instead - also niece/uncle relationship.  Incest coupled with adultery, divorce and betrayal.  This is one twisted family.

And John the Baptist spoke out against it.  He didn't allow the power of Herod to stop him from speaking the truth.  He didn't sugar coat it, he didn't tip toe around it, he didn't act like he wanted to keep the peace so that he could influence the ruler.  He spoke the truth without fear.  And it cost him his life.

Herod was one fearful little man.  He was scared of John the Baptist.  He was scared of the people.  he was scared of his wife.  And he made a whole bunch of mistakes because of fear and because of pride and  a foolish oath made in a drunken stupor as he was leering at his wife's daughter.  And later he shared in the responsibility of condemning Jesus to death.  He killed John the Baptist and Jesus.  Not a good resume.

Don't underestimate the power of fear in your life.  Fear is not from God and we should not allow it to take root in our lives.


Tomorrow's scripture focus: Matthew 14:13-21

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Habakkuk