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Imprisonment and Death of John
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He prizes most. John was great in the sight of the Lord when he
refused to seek honor for himself but pointed everyone to Jesus as the
Promised One. His unselfish joy in the ministry of Christ presents
the highest kind of nobility ever revealed in humanity.
More Than a Prophet
John was “more than a prophet.” While prophets had seen
Christ’s advent from far off, John had the privilege of seeing Him
and presenting Him to Israel as the One sent by God. The prophet
John was the lesser light to be followed by a greater. No other light
ever will shine so clearly on fallen men and women as the teaching
and example of Jesus.
Aside from the joy that John found in his mission, his life had
been one of sorrow. His was a lonely assignment. And he was not
permitted to see the result of his own labors. It was not his privilege
to be with Christ and behold the light that radiated through every
word of Christ, shedding glory on the promises of prophecy.
Herod believed that John was a prophet of God and fully intended
to set him free. But he feared Herodias. She knew that by direct
measures she could never win Herod’s consent to the death of John,
so she resolved to accomplish her purpose by scheming. On the
king’s birthday he would have guests in for a celebration. There
would be feasting and drunkenness. She might find a way then to
influence Herod according to her will.
When the great day arrived, the king was feasting and drinking
with his lords. Herodias sent her daughter into the banquet hall to
dance for the guests. Salome was in the first flush of womanhood,
and her sensuous beauty captivated the lordly revelers. It was a
flattering compliment to Herod when this daughter of Israel’s priests
and princes danced for his guests.
The king was dazed with wine. Passion controlled him, and
reason was dethroned. He saw only the pleasuremad guests, the
banquet, the wine, the flashing lights, and the girl dancing before
him. In the recklessness of the moment, he wanted to make some
display that would exalt him in the eyes of the great men of his
realm. With an oath, he promised the daughter of Herodias whatever
she might ask, even to half of his kingdom.