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John
the Baptist Beheaded The Bible is a book of
instruction. There are many ways
that it is proven. It is proven
through commands, laws, teachings, examples, etc.
We can study for instance the examples of others to see the way they
lived and if it was favorable to God or not.
We view the roles and situations that people played and we can learn from
their mistakes and also from the righteous deeds. Many
People play many different roles in life. Some
of these examples are good while others are not.
We must constantly examine our role in our life as a Christian.
Are we hindering or are we helping? What factors also are involved in our
roles.
We come across a situation in Mark 6:14-29 that many played a role in.
We have a situation in which John the Baptist was beheaded.
Many played different roles in this.
Some tried to do what was right and some sadly were the cause and reason
for John being beheaded. Let’s
examine these roles now. The
Role of Herod
Herod played a large role in this event.
He was the king. However he
had a huge problem. He had his
brother’s wife. He recognized an
unlawful marriage situation through John (Matthew 5:31-32).
Instead of correcting the issue he tried to hide the person who knew of
the problem being John. He had
serious worldly problems (I John 2:15-17). He apparently wanted his
brother’s wife and fulfilled his lust for Herodias.
He also knew John. He knew
John was a righteous and holy man. He
feared John. However this apparently
still wasn’t enough. He had a
willingness to hear however he wouldn’t follow through with the truth.
Herod also had a problem with courage (Philippians 4:13).
How easy could it have been for Herod to say no to the request of John
being killed? He could have easily
resisted and said this wasn’t right.
Yet he was pressured. He
didn’t want to seem like a coward to those around him at this dinner.
Those that surrounded him played a negative role (I Corinthians 15:33).
The bad company corrupted good habits.
The company also did not say that it was wrong.
Herod lacked the courage to stand for what is right.
We need to take this example to the point of standing up for what is
right. Role
of Herodias
She knew the situation that she was involved in.
She knew it wasn’t right but still wanted it.
Her way of resolving the situation is seeking revenge (Matthew 5:5).
She instead was going to eliminate the voice of reason.
She also influenced her daughter to go ahead with these actions.
She did not practice meekness. She
wanted to take revenge on John. If
one is in error or practicing sin God in the end will take the vengeance (Romans
12:19). She failed to understand
this key point.
She got what she wanted in seeking revenge and had carried out to the
point that it was presented to her. Practice
Meekness! Role
of Herodias’ Daughter
She was easily influenced. She
allowed bad company to corrupt her good habits (I Corinthians 15:33) of
what she had left. She did things
that were inappropriate in the way she danced before Herod.
This is just like people in the many different doctrines in the world (Eph
4:14).
She also lacked the courage. She
wasn’t willing to stand up for what was right.
Again, she could have refused the request.
She could of not danced before Herod.
She could have done what was right but refused.
She allowed others to influence her and help make her bad decisions. Role
of John
John was playing the voice of reason.
She let someone know that they had error.
He was practicing what we need to be practicing when it comes to the word
of God (II Timothy 3:16-17). Letting
the word of God being the guide and book of correction and instruction.
He was willing to suffer for the gospel cause just like the apostles (Acts
5:41). He was treated wrongfully
but still was willing to suffer.
He like we should shed light on a dark situation (Eph. 5:11-13).
He counted the cost and knew the value of his own life just as we should
be doing (Matthew 10:39).— Daniel Sanders |