Passage of the Day - November 7, 2013

Matthew 14:1-12

 

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, ² and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

³ For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. ⁴ For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, ⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. ¹⁰ He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

 

Let us learn from the mistakes of Herod.  Do not commit adultery, especially with your brother’s wife.  Do not reject the rebuke.  Do not imprison those who righteously rebuke you.  Do not make choices out of fear.  Do not take pleasure in lustful behavior.  Do not make oaths and promises to the object of your lust. Do not make choices out of shame.  Do not make choices to impress people.

 

If you make these choices, you may end up making very stupid decisions and inflicting more evil than you ever intentioned.  Pride, lust, and vengeance can quickly snowball into a complete nightmare in a heartbeat.

 

Sorry, nothing too uplifting about this passage.

 

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)