Tabor Baptist Church

Intro

Sometimes terrible things happen to holy people
There are certain decisions that change our lives (e.g. wedding day, birth of children, perhaps taking a job)
There are some decisions that are made for us or are outside of our control can change our lives (e.g. illness, death)
John the Baptist – decision outside of his control
Herod the King – decision in his control
An “opportune day” arose – it probably started the same as any other
Herod had been listening to John the Baptist
Herod had started responding to God’s word
Herod makes a rash statement
Drastic consequences

John was in Prison

John’s preaching whilst in prison influenced Herod
Paul’s preaching whilst in prison influenced King Agrippa
Joseph had to get to the dungeon before he could get to Pharaoh

Herod was so near and yet so far

Herod feared John (v20)

He was a just and holy man (v20)
He protected John by putting him in prison (v20)

Herod took his brother’s wife – imagine what that must have done to the family
John challenged Herod on this – he didn’t just preach to the Jews
John was a gracious and loving man, why else would Herod have listened to him or protect him
Herod had the opportunity to speak to John at any time – he “heard him gladly” (v20)
There was a moral reformation occurring in Herod
Herod was so near to becoming a child of God – he was hearing the word, he was responding to the word, he was receptive
Herod was so far – he was still holding onto one sin (adultery), listening and obeying to a point, refusing to believe
Are you like Herod – are you holding back, is there as secret sin, is there something you are holding onto and can’t let go?

Herod’s downfall

Committed adultery – not just of another man, but his brother, moreover he married her
Jezebel – a very wicked woman, Ahab just followed his wife
Herod is being controlled by a woman
Herod is not being controlled by God’s word or the prophet
Herodias – very wicked

Couldn’t stand the word of the prophet, couldn’t stand the word of God, she hated John and hated God’s word
Wanted to kill John at any opportunity and immediately asked for John’s head

Jesus said of John ‘Of all men born of woman, there was no-one more humble than him’
Is there one sin that has mastery over you and is stopping you from coming to Jesus Christ?
Herod was more concerned about not losing his reputation that being honourable

Peer pressure is a real thing, not just for children, but for adults too

Herod loved the praise of men more than the praise of God
What are our priorities?

The disastrous consequences

His mind was troubled

‘There is no rest for the wicked’
He thought John the Baptist had risen from the dead (v14 and v16)

He was left with terrible guilt
His friends must have thought that all was well
Herod was a loser – he had to live with an evil conscience and hell bound
John was a winner – he was in glory
The disciples were sad
Today is the day to respond to Jesus Christ
Many who fell at Jesus feet were not concerned with their reputation