“Is It Worth Losing Your Head Over?”

“King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying , “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
Mark 6:14-16

It is evident from this passage of scripture that King Herod was very conflicted over his role in John the Baptist’s death. It was Herod that had John arrested and put in prison. John had been telling Herod that it was unlawful for him to be married to Herodias. Herodias had been married to Herod’s brother Philip. It appears that on a regular basis John took the opportunity to remind Herod of his reprehensible behavior.

This infuriated Herodias. She began nursing a grudge against John and wanted to have him killed, however Herod feared John and protected him. Finally, the scripture tells us that the opportune time came:

“Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.”

Mark 6:21-22

Herod was so taken with her that he said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” Immediately she went out and found her mother. She asked Herodias, “What shall I ask for?” Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist:

“At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Mark 6:25

The King was greatly distraught by the request. He did not want to execute John, but also did not want to lose face because of the oath he gave in front of his dinner guests. So he gave the order and John was beheaded.

Ultimately John lost his head over something he believed in. John had favor with the king. It is apparent that Herod enjoyed listening to him, but losing favor with the king never kept John from sharing the truth with him. Later when John was bound and imprisoned, he could have let the matter go. He could have said, “Well, I’ve done all I can,” but instead he continued to stand for what was right. Even with his head on the chopping block he could have recanted and apologized for his brazenness, but instead he held to his principles even unto death.

What about you? Are you that passionate about God’s Word? Maintaining your purity? Upholding righteousness? There will always be opportunities to abandon what you believe in…the question is “Is there anything you believe in that is worth losing your head over?”


Pastor Scott Burr http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com