Scripture

So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl who took it to her mother.

Observation

Herod had had John the Baptist imprisoned because john had told Herod that his marriage to Herodias was against God’s law. At a feast for Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that please Herod. Herod promised the girl anything she wanted. The girl demanded the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

The king regretted his vow, but he had no choice. So John was beheaded and the head was given to the girl.

Application

How evil are the hearts of people when they are not surrendered to the Lord! The ways of God bring life, but the ways of people lead to death.

Since God controls even the most evil of tyrants, it is clear that John’s days were ordained by the Lord and it was time for John to go to heaven.

John represents the old covenant, the covenant of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus said that John was the greatest of the old covenant prophets, but even the least person in God’s kingdom was greater than John.

The kingdom of God is here. The kingdom of King Jesus has been established.

We need to understand that God works in seasons and ages. The death of John signalled that an age had passed, and so in our own lives we can be sure that different seasons are appointed for us.

We always need to be ready to discern when God is ordaining a new season. We have to be ready to move on when God says move, and not clinging to the activities and expectations of an old season.

Prayer

Father please help me to see when a season in your Spirit changes. Amen.