Not Having It My Way (Matthew 14:1-12)

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 14:1-12 (ESV)
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

COMMENT

We live in an age of wanting everything to be our way. Burger King capitalized on this idea with their ad campaign, "Have it your way." But this is seen in so many other areas of life. Look at the following of Bernie Sanders. People are upset because some have more wealth than others, and they think that wealth should be shared. Forget about the skill it might have taken, or the effort, or the risk, it just isn't fair! Look at reaction to the Corona Virus. People stealing masks from hospitals, hoarding toilet paper and other items. At least if I get the infection, my hiney will be clean! So many other examples, but for times sake I will leave that up to you as I am sure you have experienced many examples of your own.

So what about John the Baptist? Jesus called him the great (Matt 11:11), yet he met his demise being beheaded at the hands of Herod. Where is your prosperity theology for him? John faced this death because he stood up to Herod for taking his brother's wife. A noble task. Yet that did not spare him an awful fate. Again, I heard of a church today that is continuing to meet during the Corona Virus quarantine. Their logic is that God will protect them if they are acting in faith. John acted in faith, and there was none greater. I am not advocating panic. But if it rains on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45), will not the Corona Virus do the same?

What I am trying to say is, let the Bible says what it says without making it say what you want it to say.