Mark 6:14-29 The Murder of John the Baptist
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Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
Pray
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Introduction and Review
Introduction and Review
The beginning of Jesus Ministry
Jesus’ message - repent and believe the gospel
Review the gospel
His teaching with signs and wonders
Focuses on the Gospel
How to have peace with God
Consequences: Rebellion against God
Miracles to prove who He is and the truth He preaches
Healing sickness
Casting out demons
Controlling the weather
Raising the dead, Jairus daughter
Training the Apostles
Training the Apostles
Today: The murder of John the Baptist
Sandwiched in between Jesus sending out the Apostles and the apostles reporting back
Today Mark takes us back to the end of John the Baptist
Mark provides the most detailed account of this sad story
Lets see what lessons we can take
Firstly, The amazing power of truth over conscience
Firstly, The amazing power of truth over conscience
Herod fears John the Baptist alive and dead
A single preacher terrifies a king
John the Baptist demonstrated miraculous power
Everyone has a conscience
Secret of a faithful witness’s power
Felix trembled, Agrippa “almost persuaded”
Our conscience is God’s witness
Even the most fallen and corrupt people deal with guilt
thoughts that can make even kings afraid
All Christians need to remember this
Preaching Christ’s truth will have an effect on consciences
People may seem to not care - more is going on than meets the eye - when someone seems to ignore or mock you, its because they don’t want to deal with the truth, and their conscience is bothering them.
Seeds planted may bear fruit - after the preacher is gone
Secondly, people may go far in understanding the Christian faith, but miss salvation because of one master sin
Secondly, people may go far in understanding the Christian faith, but miss salvation because of one master sin
King Herod was moved by John’s preaching - “feared John” -knew he was just and holy
Heard his preaching and it affected his life
heard him gladly
Could not stop with the adultery - would not give up Herodias - ruined his soul
Herod Agrippa was almost persuaded. Felix trembled
Warning from Herod’s case - no favorite vice - let nothing stand between us and salvation
Check ourselves - no pet sins - which will murder our souls
Mark 9:43 “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”
Not be content with gladly listening to great sermons. Be doers of the word.
Ps 119:128 “Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.”
Thirdly, a faithful preacher or witness must boldly call out sin
Thirdly, a faithful preacher or witness must boldly call out sin
John the Baptist was direct with Herod about the sin in his life
Did not water down or soften his message to be PC
Told Herod the plain truth: Mark 6:18 “For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
All preachers and faithful men and women ought to follow this example - speak truth to power
In public sermons, call out sin. In private discussions call it out - people need a faithful warning
Offense may result, may be immensely unpopular, we cannot control that - this is our duty
Result’s are God’s
Requires great grace and courage
Must be wise and loving when calling out the wicked
Our integrity as Christians is at stake
If someone is being self-destructive, we must tell them
Love demands it
As great as the sin may be, in the long run the witness will be respected.
Proverbs 28:23 “Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.”
Fourthly, People bitterly hate the witness who calls out their sin, when they are determined to keep their sin
Fourthly, People bitterly hate the witness who calls out their sin, when they are determined to keep their sin
Herodias was in deeper sin than Herod
hated John the Baptist - would not rest until he was dead
hated him more than she “loved” Herod
No wonder at this - once people have decided on a wicked course, they don’t want anyone to oppose them
Angry when told the truth
Elijah - “man that troubled Israel”
Micaiah - hated by Ahab “because he never prophesied good of him, but evil”
Prophets and preachers of every age have the same experience
Don’t be surprised when you hear of faithful preachers, Christian witnesses being dissed and hated
Ordained to speak against sin, the world, the devil
If they are faithful, they will give offense
no disgrace to be hated by the wicked and ungodly
No real honor to be liked by all - “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.”
Fifthly, Sin often comes with partying
Fifthly, Sin often comes with partying
Herod had a great birthday party - beautiful, powerful, important people, drinking, dancing
In a moment of excitement, perhaps drunkenness, he grants a wicked girl’s request to have John the Baptist beheaded - or was it premeditated?
Pride, drunkenness, lust are involved
Next day, probably, he felt terrible about this, but it was too late
This is a good picture of what often happens with wild partying
People do stupid things, that they later regret - or its an excuse
It is good to remain clear of temptation and avoid giving an opening for the devil
One never really knows what they may do, when they go into such situations - crowded rooms, great entertainment, mixed company
Christians: “lead us not into temptation”
Finally, some of God’s best servants receive nothing but trouble in this world
Finally, some of God’s best servants receive nothing but trouble in this world
John the Baptist - unjust imprisonment and violent death
Like Stephen and James and others - the world was not worthy - their righteous testimony sealed with their blood
Reminder: the true Christian’s best things are yet to come
Rest, crown, wages, reward - other side of the grave
Here we must walk by faith, not by sight - don’t look for praise from men
Here we must work, battle, endure persecution; if we expect a great earthly reward, we wont find it.
This life is not all.
day of retribution
Glorious harvest yet to come
Heaven will make it all worthwhile
Our eyes have not seen, nor our ears heard the great things God has laid up for all of us who love Him
Real faith is not about things seen, but things not seen
Rom. 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
2 Cor. 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,”
Questions, Prayer, Announcements
Questions, Prayer, Announcements