January 6, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Death of John the Baptist

Luke 3:19  But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20  Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Mark 6:17  For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18  For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19  Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20  For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21  And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22  And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23  And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24  And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25  And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26  And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27  And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28  And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29  And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He preach repentance from sin and the turning to Jesus Christ who would be the sacrifice for your sins and mine.

In our text we find that John preached against sin. Herod the Tetrarch (governor) of that area was rebuked of John because he had his brother’s wife. Herod was living is adultery with his own brother’s wife. John rebuked him of that.

Herod being the governor of the area had the power to seize people and imprison them at will. Eventually, John, by the scorn of Herod’s adulterous wife, was seized and beheaded while he was in prison.

Do you see what happened here? John preached righteousness and in doing so sin was exposed. Herod and his adulterous wife hated John and had him imprisoned and beheaded, not because John was a good man, but because he told them the truth about themselves.

Jesus was not crucified for the miracles he had done, nor for the healing he performed, nor for the blessing he gave such as providing bread for thousands. No, my friend, Jesus and John were killed because the people they spoke to did not like their sins being exposed, they did not like rebuke.

People do not mind if one preaches love and kindness and encouraging things, in fact that is what they want.

Isaiah 30:10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

John and Jesus and all the Apostles preached truth and righteousness and all met their demise by the hand of men who did not like their sins being exposed.

What kind of person are you? How do you handle righteous preaching?

Personally, I know of friends and family living in sin and adultery and involved in all kinds of nefarious things. If you tell them the truth, you are hated. However, when they need God or help or prayer, you are one of the first persons they think about.

Be that one person who stands for truth; eventually people will seek your help. Be that one who is the example in a sin torn world. Be that one who will lead others to Christ Jesus.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook