MATT 68 - THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

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Hello everyone. This is Pastor Dean Thompson with a word of hope The Death of John the Baptist Matthew chapter fourteen verses one through twelve. At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus and said unto his servants This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show themselves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John and bound him and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist's head in a charger, and the king was sorry. Nevertheless, for the oath's sake, and them which sat at sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was brought in a charger and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. Herod had John the Baptist beheaded because of a rash promise made at his birthday party. His wife Herodias had been waiting for revenge because John condemned their unlawful marriage. Herod feared John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man, yet he imprisoned him to please his wife. The word fear, feared for Bael, can mean respect or terror. Herod had conflicted feelings about John. At the party, Herodus' daughter danced and pleased Herod so much he promised her anything up to half of his kingdom. Prompted by her mother, she asked for John's head on a platter. The king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. Herod's pride prevented him from doing what was right. Public perception mattered more to him than righteousness. What brush promises have you made that later caused problems? How do you handle the conflicts between doing right and saving face? Are you more concerned with public opinion or God's approval? O Lord, please help us to keep our word while we're doing what is right. And give us courage to choose right to choose righteousness over reputation. Protect us, O God, from making promises that we shouldn't keep. Amen. God bless you, brothers and sisters.