Death of John vs 1-13

• 1^st – Who was Herod… vs. 1
  • At that time Herod the tetrarch!
    • The name Herod can be confusing – because there are FOUR of them in the Bible…
    • Herod the Great – was the FIRST Herod – King of Judea [under Rome]
    • A brilliant builder – he oversaw massive construction projects in Israel [Herodian – Masada]
    • Most importantly – he rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem [Second Temple]
    • But he was a deeply paranoid man and had several of his own wives and sons killed…
    • His deep paranoia led him to try and kill Jesus – the King of the Jews – Matthew 2:3
  • Herod Antipas – was the SON of Herod the Great…
    • He was also known as Herod the tetrarch [τετράρχης] – from our study today…
    • Because he ruled [ἄρχω] over a QUARTER [τέσσαρες] of the kingdom of his father!
  • Herod Agrippa – was the GRANDSON of Herod the great…
    • He was the King of Judea for THREE years…
    • He attempted to appease the Jews – by persecuting the church…
    • He ordered the execution of James the brother of John – Acts 12:2
  • Herod Agrippa II – was the GREAT grandson of Herod the great [son of Herod Agrippa]
    • One of the judges of the Apostle Paul – sent him to stand trial in Rome…
    • More noble than the other Herods – he studied the Word of God – Acts 26:3
• 2^nd – Guilty Conscience… vs. 1-2
  • Who was Jesus…
    • [Herod] heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants:
    • This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead therefore these powers are at work in him!
    • The fame of Jesus had spread across Israel – and Herod heard about Him…
    • There was a DEBATE among the people as to whom Jesus was – Mark 6:15
    • Some said he was the return of the Prophet Elisha – Malachi 4:5
    • Others said he was the prophet promised by Moses – Deuteronomy 18:15
    • But Herod was convinced He was John the Baptist – resurrected [passive] from the dead…
    • That is why this POWERFUL [δύναμις] ENERGY [ἐνεργέω] was in Him!
  • Consequences…
    • NOTHING about the ministry of Jesus suggested He was John resurrected…
    • John the Baptist had NEVER performed any miracles…
    • The problem with Antipas was that he had a GUILTY conscience about John!
    • When I do counseling – we will talk about MANY different topics…
    • But when the person becomes DEFENSIVE – I know we have found the problem…
    • Because when we talk about a SIN we are struggling with – we REACT!
    • When we choose to sin – there are ALWAYS consequences – Galatians 6:7
    • We may think that we got away with it – but there is still a PENALTY…
    • Because it will affect our conscience – we KNOW we are GUILTY!
• 3^rd – Negative influence… vs. 3-5
  • Marriage… vs. 3
    • For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him and put him in prison…
    • For the sake of Herodias his brother Philip’s wife.
    • The reason Herod had a GUILTY conscience was because of what he did to John…
    • He ARRESTED him because he rebuked Herod for his MARRIAGE!
    • Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great [the NIECE of Herod Antipas]
    • The problem – she divorced her UNCLE Philip to marry her UNCLE Antipas!
  • Divorce… vs. 4
    • John said [imperfect] to him: It is not lawful for you to have her!
    • An interesting statement – because the Law DID allow for divorce – Deuteronomy 24:1
    • The reason the LAW gave for divorce was UNCLEANNESS [עֶרְוָה]
    • It did NOT give any explanation for what that meant – but the NT gives THREE:
    • If there is an ONGOING affair – the other spouse is free to remarry – Matthew 19:9
    • If one spouse is an unbeliever and leaves – the other is free to remarry – I Corinthians 7:15
    • If a spouse dies – the other is then free to remarry – Romans 7:2
    • We do have DIVORCE in the Philippines [we just call it annulment]
    • But God never intended DIVORCE to be a part of MARRIAGE…
    • MARRIAGE was given in the beginning – and is the only thing that survived the FALL…
    • It is meant to show us what the LOVE of God looks like [we are His bride and kids]
    • Therefore God desires marriage to last for a LIFETIME!
    • Matthew 19:6 – “What God has joined together let not man separate.”
  • The wife… vs. 5
    • Although [Herod] wanted to put [John] to death – he feared the multitude.
    • Because they counted him as a prophet!
    • Matthew tells us the HEROD wanted to put John to death…
    • Mark gives us more insight – it was HERODIAS who wanted him DEAD – Mark 6:19
    • And HEROD protected [imperfect] John – often going to PRISON to enjoy listening to him…
    • But the influence of his wife was POWERFUL – pushing HEROD to execute John…
    • The ONLY reason he hesitated – was he FEARED the people who counted John as a PROPHET!
    • Ladies – do NOT underestimate the power you have over your husbands…
    • Your influence has the ability to lead him to do amazing things – or make terrible choices!
• 4^th – Hiding from God… vs. 6-8
  • When Herod’s birthday was celebrated…
  • The daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.
  • Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
  • Having been prompted by her mother said: Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter!
  • On the BIRTHDAY [γένεσις] of Herod [only mention of Birthday in NT] – Mark 6:21
  • Salome was the daughter of Herodias and Herod Phillip – STEP daughter of Herod Antipas…
  • She danced seductively before her STEP father [uncle] – and PLEASED [aroused] him… 
  • So he PROMISED to give her whatever she asked – up to HALF his kingdom – Mark 6:23
  • HERODIAS demanded [προβιβάζω] Salome ask for the HEAD of John the Baptist on a plate…
  • Rather than repent of her SIN – she chose to SILENCE the messenger!
  • When we choose to SIN we tend to try and stay away from REMINDERS…
  • We do NOT want to read our Bible – we do NOT want to PRAY…
  • We do NOT want to go to church – we do NOT want to see other Christians…
  • In the end we are only really trying to HIDE from God…
  • Because the only thing that SIN does well – is separate us from the LORD!
  • Psalms 119:11 – “Your word I have hidden in my heart – that I might not sin against You!”
• 5^th – No repentance… vs. 9-10
  • Careless promises…
    • The king was sorry – nevertheless because of the oaths.
    • And because of those who sat with him – he commanded it to be given to her.
    • So he sent and had John beheaded in prison!
    • The KING [βασιλεύς] – only time Herod is given that title in this passage…
    • Emphasizing he had the AUTHORITY to spare the life of John…
    • But because of his PROMISE to Salome – he instead ordered the execution of John!
    • Too often people speak – and do NOT consider the impact of their words…
    • Better to think before we make a PROMISE – then live in regret!
    • Proverbs 13:3 – “[Because] those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” [NIV]
  • Not Sorry…
    • Herod was SORRY [λυπέω] for how the story ended – the execution of John…
    • But he was NOT sorry for what he had done – the adulterous affair with Herodias!
    • II Corinthians 7:10 – “Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation not to be regretted – but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
    • When someone gets drunk – wakes up the next morning with a splitting headache…
    • Has cuts and bruises because they got into a fight they cannot even remember…
    • Of course they swear they will NEVER do that again – because they are miserable…
    • But too often after a few DAYS – it happens again!
    • No one like CONSEQUENCES – no one wants to face the PENALTY for their actions…
    • But the purpose of CONSEQUENCES is to get us to turn from SIN – have a CHANGE of heart…
    • True repentance is seen through a transformed life – turning to Jesus!
• 6^th – Heavy heart… vs. 11-13
  • Bringing bad news…
    • His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl – and she brought it to her mother.
    • Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it – and went and told Jesus.
    • When Jesus heard it – He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself!
    • The head was given to Salome – who gave it to her spiteful mother…
    • But the DISCIPLES of John came and buried the rest of his body – then went and told Jesus…
    • When Jesus HEARD – He withdrew [ἀναχωρέω] to a solitary place to be ALONE!
  • Foreshadowing…
    • This was heavy hearted news for Jesus – it was true the John was a friend and family [cousin]
    • But I do not think Jesus was sad for John – he was in heaven…
    • His heaviness was because the death of John was a foreshadowing of what was coming!
      
    • Jesus knew that He was teaching a message that convicted men of their SIN…
    • Soon He would also be arrested because of that message [like John]
    • Then He too would be murdered to keep Him silent…
    • Jesus knew that the death of John – meant the cross was not very far away!

• 2^nd – Feeding 5000… vs. 13-21
  • 1^st – Compassion… vs. 13-14
    • When the multitudes heard it they followed Him on foot from the cities.
    • When Jesus went out He saw a great multitude – and He was moved with compassion for them.
    • And healed their sick!
    • When the PEOPLE heard where Jesus was going – near Bethesda – Luke 9:10
    • And could see His boat sailing across the Sea of Galilee – they FOLLOWED …
    • They RAN out of their CITIES – and arrived there before Jesus – Mark 6:33
    • As Jesus GOT out of the boat He saw them – they were LOST – like sheep WITHOUT a shepherd…
    • So He had COMPASSION – and began to HEAL [θεραπεύω] the WEAK among them!
    • I number of years ago I got a phone call – LATE in the night…
    • It had been a LONG day at church [12+ hours] – I was exhausted and had already gone to bed…
    • I will be honest – my FIRST instinct was to IGNORE the call…
    • But prodded by my wife I pick it up – it was a frantic father whose daughter had run away!
• I love that even when Jesus is EXHAUSTED and HEAVY hearted – He still LOVES us…
• He never turns us away – never asks us to come back TOMORROW…
• He is ALWAYS ready – full of COMPASSION – anytime we RUN to Him!
  • 2^nd – Impossible command… vs. 15-16
    • The Problem… vs. 15
      • When it was evening His disciples came to Him saying: 
      • This is a deserted place and the hour is already late. 
      • Send the multitudes away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.
• It had gotten to be LATE in the afternoon and the people had NOT eaten…
• They were in an ISOLATED place so there was NO where to buy food…
• The disciples had the solution – Jesus must [imperative] send them away to buy dinner…
• This was a perfectly LOGICAL solution – there was NO other reasonable option…
• If they had NOT asked Jesus – that is exactly what they would have done!
• Often we will find ourselves having to make DIFFICULT decisions…
• We may do the BEST we know how to find the solution…
• But if we do NOT take the problem to Jesus – we are limited to OUR best option!
  • The command… vs. 16
    • But Jesus said to them: They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat!
    • Jesus countered – they did NOT have to send the people home…
    • Instead – they DISCIPLES needed [imperative] to give them FOOD…
    • Jesus KNEW that His command was IMPOSSIBLE – He was testing them!
    • John 6:6 – “He said to test him – for He Himself knew what He would do.”
    • I did not do very well in High School – had my fair share of failures…
    • And I can remember the first time the Lord put it on my heart to teach…
    • My though was NOT me – I am the LAST person who should be teaching!
    • But God will often ask us to do things that are FAR beyond our ability…
    • Because it is NOT about what we can do – it is about what HE can do through us…
    • We serve the God of the impossible – and He is NOT limited by us…
    • What is exciting is to realize if He asks for the impossible – we are about to see a MIRACLE!
  • 3^rd – Give it to Jesus… vs. 17-18
    • Too little… vs. 17
      • [The disciples] said to [Jesus]: We have here only five loaves and two fish.
      • Comparing the other Gospels we get a detailed account of the DISCIPLES responce…
      • Philip challenged Jesus – even TWO hundred days wages could NOT feed the crowd – John 6:7
      • Peter and Andrew found a young boy who had packed FIVE loaves and TWO fish…
      • And were quick to point out – that meant NOTHING considering the size of the crowd…
      • There were FIVE thousand men – plus their wives and kids!
      • Let us put this story into a more relatable food – RICE…
      • There are an average of around 2500 grains of rice in ONE cooked cup…
      • Meaning if you had FIVE cups of rice – you could give ONE grain to each person [NOT enough]!
    • Wrong perspective… vs. 18
      • Jesus said: Bring them here to Me!
      • Jesus gave a simple command – bring [imperative] them to me…
      • The DISCIPLES were looking at the PROBLEM – rather than the SOLUTION…
      • The answer was right in front of them – just take what they had and give it to Jesus!
      • When we look at our ABILITY – our MONEY – our TIME…
      • The answer will always be the same – we do NOT have enough…
      • But we are looking the WRONG way – we are focused on the PROBLEM…
      • We should instead be LISTENING to Jesus – because He is giving us the SOLUTION…
      • Take whatever we have – no matter how LITTLE – and just give it to Him!
  • 4^th – Giving thanks… vs. 19
    • [Jesus] commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. 
    • He took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven…
    • He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples. The disciples gave to the multitudes!
    • Jesus had the people all sit DOWN – because HE would do ALL the work…
    • Jesus then took the LITTLE was given to Him – and He blessed it…
    • BLESSED [εὐλογέω] – because He knew NOTHING is impossible for God!
    • A man named George Muller ran an orphanage in English many years ago…
    • One morning the kids gathered for breakfast – but there was NO food…
    • George had them all bow their heads and give THANKS for what God had provided…
    • They kids were somewhat confused – because God had NOT provided anything…
    • But no sooner had they finished their prayer – then there was a knock at the door…
    • A food truck broke down outside – and they wondered if they could use the food!
    • We tend to give thanks AFTER we see God has provided…
    • But His provision is NEVER in question – God promised to take care of us – Matthew 6:33
    • We can give thanks to the Lord even before we see what He is going to do…
    • Then smile while everyone else around us stands amazed
  • 5^th – More than enough… vs. 20-21
    • They all ate and were filled and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained!
    • Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men – besides women and children!
    • EVERYONE [πᾶς] ate until they were VERY full…
    • They could all eat as MUCH as they wanted – John 6:11
    • And even then there was TWELVE baskets FULL of food left – ONE for each DISCIPLE!
    • God is not broke – He owns everything on earth – Psalm 24:1
    • God does not too small – He holds the oceans in His hands – Isaiah 40:12
    • He has no limits – and He wants to blow our mind with what He can do!
    • Ephesians 3:20 – “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”
    • This is one of only a handful of events recorded in all FOUR Gospels…
    • Meaning God wants to make sure we do NOT miss the lesson …
    • We can CHOOSE to depend on ourselves – and we will NEVER have enough…
    • Or we can GIVE what little we have to the Lord – and stand back and be AMAZED…
    • As He multiplies our ABILITY – MONEY – and TIME to meet every need…
    • So much so that where at first we did NOT have enough – in the end there will be EXTRA!