Beheaded
Mark 6:14-29

For Herod Antipas, news of this miracle-working Jewish preacher could mean only one thing: John (the Baptist) was back from the dead. And probably out to get him.

Herod Antipas’ personal life was worse than a soap opera. See if you can follow.

Herod Antipas and Philip were half-brothers, two sons of Herod the Great. Herodias was their niece by another brother.

Philip married Herodias, making him her uncle and husband.  Philip and Herodias had a daughter, Salome. That meant Philip was Salome’s dad and great uncle.

Herod Antipas had married a daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia. But he prevailed upon Herodias to leave Philip and become his wife upon the condition of him getting rid of his current wife, which he did resulting in a war with Aretas. Now, Herod Antipas is Herodias’ uncle, brother-in-law, and husband. And, he is Salome’s uncle (through Philip), great-uncle (through Herodias), and step-dad.

Somehow, John figured all this out and called Herod out on his sins. The result? Herodias prevailed upon Herod to have John thrown in jail and then used her daughter’s dance moves to manipulate her husband. Drunk and slack-jawed Herod made the offer Herodias hoped for and John lost his head.

Sometimes, following Jesus leads to a short-lived yet fruitful ministry where you pay the price for saying and doing the right thing. But the price fades into nothingness compared to the treasure already gained in Christ.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” –John the Baptist (John 1:29)