Last week, we talked about the critical questions of life, and there are three that come to mind.
Who is Jesus? Who am I? And finally, what is God calling me to do? John the Baptist knew the answers to all three questions as we discovered last week.
But what happens to a man who can’t answer any of the three questions? His name is Herod Antipas, and now we have the makings of a story filled with politics, family rivalries, public reputations, and religious confrontations all wrapped up in a dramatic historical event leading up the the death of John the Baptist.
But the seed was planted by Herod the Great, who was the father of Herod Antipas, and the ruler of Judea when Jesus was born. It was Herod the Great who ordered the murder of every male child under two years of age in and around Bethlehem.
He knew the prophecies about the King of the Jews and wanted to kill any potential rival for his throne. And now his son Herod Antipas wants to stamp out any possibility of rebellion by the crowds who followed John the Baptist.
But there are actually two storylines in this passage of Scripture:
• Herod Antipas is protecting his throne;
• His wife, Herodias, is protecting her reputation.
Herod Antipas divorced his first wife and married Herodias, who had been married to his brother, Philip. It all boils down to one verse in Mark.
Whatley
Continued from Page 6A “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
— Mark 6: 18
That one line from John the Baptist threatened Herod Antipas and embarrassed Herodias. Thus, John had to die.
Last week, John the Baptist was a road sign, pointing the way to God. This week, he’s a mirror.
And a mirror can be uncomfortable because it tells the truth. When we stand in front of it, it shows us reality — what’s there — not what we wish was there.
God’s Word, like John the Baptist, is a mirror. The intention is not to shame us, but to show us three things.
We were created in God’s image. That image was disfigured and distorted by sin. And finally, Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins gives us a second chance — an opportunity to reclaim the image of God.
And if I might be so bold, take the chance and reclaim that image!
Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga.
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