Dealing With Sin

Dealing with Sin

Q: How did John the Baptist die?

• a. He drowned.
• b. He was crucified.
• c. He was beheaded.

John the Baptist loved God and followed his laws. Because of that, he made some enemies. One of those enemies was Herodias. Herod Antipas married Herodias, his brother’s wife. John told him that was wrong. John’s words made Herodias furious, but she couldn’t harm John without Herod’s permission.

Herod threw a big party on his birthday. All the important people were there. His daughter, also named Herodias, came in and danced for him. Herod told her she could have anything she wanted, even up to half of his kingdom.

Herodias asked her mother what she should request. What would you ask for if you were in her place? Jewels? Expensive clothing? A horse and carriage? We’ll never know what Herodias may have wanted, because her mother told her to ask for John the Baptist’s head on a tray.

Herod didn’t want to kill John, but he didn’t want to break the promise after so many people had heard him. So he had John, who was in prison as a favor to Herod’s wife, beheaded, and he presented the head to his daughter.

Herod’s wife, Herodias, hated John the Baptist for pointing out the sin in her life. Rather than repent, she chose to have him killed. John died for standing up for what was right.

For You

God wants us to turn from sin. In Psalm 139:23-24, David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” It is better to be like David and confess sin than to be like Herodias and knowingly continue in sin. Pray David’s prayer as your own today.

Answer: c

The girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!” Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her.   Mark 6:25-26

(The Whole Story: Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9)