14 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.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 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. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 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.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 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.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 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.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
John the Baptist stood up to the King calling him to repentance day after day. John reminded Herod of his life of sin. Herod married his brother's wife. This was not a proper marriage in the eyes of God. It is not right to marry your brother's wife. It is not right to marry the wife of any close relation. It is not right to marry someone of the same sex. It is not right to marry a child or youth.
John the Baptist could have just went along with the King. He is the King after all. Doesn't the King have the right to establish who can get married and who can not? Note John the Baptist does not say they are not Married, but that it is a sinful existence. Thus, they should live separately and amend their sexual immoral lifestyle.
The fullness of this text reminds us that John the Baptist stood up for the truth even before Kings. King Herod could not even stand up before his party guests and say that it is not lawful to kill John the Baptist for telling the truth. Who do we forget to stand up to? Who asks of us to lead an immoral life and we let them?
These are our sins. We do not teach the truth in its purity, by our actions nor by our words. We do not speak out against the sins we see around us everyday. Let us take a lesson from John the Baptist, Amos, and Jesus. Jesus called a sin a sin. Jesus took those who were repentant sinners and showed them grace. Jesus died so that these sins could be forgiven, but how can a sin be forgiven unless it is called a sin?
Your sins of silence are forgiven in the blood of Christ. Your sins of sexual misconduct are forgiven in the blood of Christ. You made right before God through Christ's sacrifice. This is the gift given to you, so that you can stand up and speak the truth before Kings and Neighbors and family members.
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