Scripture

When Herod heard about Jesus, he said “John, the man I beheaded has come back to life.”

Observation

Herod hears about all the things Jesus is doing and starts to believe He is John the Baptist raised from the dead.

Herod had married his brother’s wife, but John had denounced this. Herodias. the wife was resentful of John and had had him put into prison.

On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s daughter dances for the invited guests attending a party. Herod is greatly pleased by the dance and it’s effect on his guests. He rashly promises to give her whatever she asks for. At her mother’s prompting, she demands John’s head brought to her on a platter.

So John is beheaded, and the head is presented to the girl who gives it to her mother.

John’s disciples, come and retrieve his body for burial.

Application

Rash promises can be fatal and only people with poor character will make them.

Herod admired John, but the manipulation of the women in his life led to Herod being coerced into killing him.

Herod’s party and the dance of his stepdaughter were an attempt to show that he wasn’t one of those regressive Jews. No, he was a man of the world, a devotee of the Greco- Roman culture.

As Christians, we must not imbibe too deeply of the spirit of the world. Culture is a human construct and therefore is limited and sinful.

The Bible has a critique of every culture because the kingdom of God alone is perfect and holy.

Therefore, we must always allow God’s word to speak to us and to correct us in our ways, especially when we think that we are doing well according to the ways of the world.

Listen

Lord, what do you want to say to me about the clash of kingdoms – your kingdom and the kingdom of the world?

Keith, worldly people and worldly customs will always try to trip you up in your walk with me.

You need to walk with me in the world in which you live. There is sin and rebellion all around you, but you don’t need to indulge in the sin.

Culture is so pervasive and so persuasive. Many things you take for granted without asking if they are sinful. You are not held to account until I tell you to repent of these things.