Sermon Tone Analysis

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Introduction:
The passage before us reminds me of a Netflix original.
It is filled with violence, lust, intrigue, and many other things that might appeal to the populace.
It isn’t just based on a true story, it is a true story.
The life of John the Baptist was filled with controversy.
It only makes sense that his death is filled with controversy as well.
Through this passage, we will learn the cost of discipleship.
We are called to stand for truth in a world that doesn’t want to hear it.
Discipleship is costly.
Dietrich Bonnhoeffer wrote in his classic book, The Cost of Discipleship,
“As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death - we give over our lives to death.
Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise godfearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ.”
Bonnhoeffer would be hanged by the Nazis in Germany for standing against Hitler’s evil regime 8 years after writing this.
Christ’s call to discipleship (which is a call to Christ himself) is a call to come and die.
It may ultimately lead to the sacrifice of one’s life for Christ.
At the very least, it is a call that means one must die to self and live for Him alone.
This is what it means to take up one’s cross daily and following Him.
As we examine this passage, ask the Lord to open your hearts to the cost of discipleship.
If you are a believer, you are called to be a disciple.
There are implications for standing for truth that we, as followers of Christ, need to understand and be aware of.
Before we get into the application, lets examine this passage.
There are some things here that are, to say the very least, interesting.
Exposition:
VV. 14-20 - Herod Antipas’ reaction to Jesus’ and the disciples’ preaching ministry
The Herod referred to here in this passage is Herod Antipas.
He was a son of Herod the Great.
Herod Antipas was tetrarch over the land at this time.
Mark writes that he is king.
This is a term that neither Matthew nor Luke use to describe Herod Antipas.
He uses the term king loosely and probably sarcastically.
He was only a tetrarch Galilee and Perea.
The brown areas mark Antipas’ territory.
Tetrarch definition
Tetrarch.
Title of a class of Roman provincial officials.
Tetrarchs were tributary princes who were not deemed important enough to be designated kings.
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Tetrarch,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2047.
He ruled over this area from 4 B.C. until 39 B.C. when he was banished to Gaul (modern-day France).
Here is an interesting insight into his character and ambition.
The reason for his banishment by the Roman government was because of his insatiable desire to be king.
He had petitioned the Roman government for the official title of king but was denied.
So, he decided to do something really dumb.
He started stockpiling weapons to fight against Rome to become king by force.
His opponents revealed what he was doing, so he was banished.
In our text, he heard about Jesus’ and the disciples’ itinerate preaching ministry along with many others.
People were saying that it was John the Baptist come back from the dead.
Some were saying it was Elijah.
Some said he was a prophet of old.
For Herod, he thought it was John the Baptist whom he beheaded.
He was experiencing a weird combination of superstition and guilt.
Why did Herod Antipas execute John the Baptist?
John the Baptist was a fiery preacher of repentance.
He held nothing back and told it like it was.
Herod Antipas was a married man who was attracted to his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias.
If you don’t think that is weird, consider this: Herodias was the daughter of his brother, Aristobulus.
She was his niece and his sister-in-law.
(and people make fun of West Virginia).
It can really get confusing because his father, Herod the Great, is reported to have had 8 wives and children by each.
They were the poster children for dysfunctional.
Herod Antipas divorced his wife so he could marry Herodias, his sister-in-law - niece.
For this, John the Baptist wasn’t going to allow this to happen without telling him he was violating God’s law.
John’s denunciation of this affair (which was adultery and incest according to Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21) was viewed as a personal attack and probably a political threat.
Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist and wanted him dead.
However, Herod Antipas, was afraid to execute him because he knew John was a holy and just man.
Therefore, he imprisoned John but kept him safe.
It is interesting to note Herod’s reaction to the Baptist in verse 20.
“When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, yet he heard him gladly.”
He wanted to hear what he had to say, yet was troubled by what he heard.
I guess you could say that he was a glutton for punishment.
VV. 21-29 - The execution of John the Baptist
An opportunity for Herodias to see John killed presented itself at Herod Antipas’ birthday party.
All kinds of dignitaries, generals, and important men were present at this party in which the wine was freely flowing.
During the festivities, Herodias’ daughter (from her marriage with Philip) came in and danced for the crowd.
This was Antipas’ great niece step daughter.
It is implied that she was just a teenager.
It is also implied that her dance was provocative as we see it appealed to Herod Antipas’ perverted mind.
Herod was so pleaded with her dance that he made a vow to her. “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
Keep in mind, it was not his kingdom to give in the first place.
An oath like this was not legally binding.
However, in first century culture, if someone did not carry through with the oath it would have been embarrassing.
Even Caeser dared not make such an oath in front of others like this.
When Herodias’ daughter heard this, she wasn’t sure what to do.
So, she left to go ask her mother what to do.
Notice that Herodias was not present.
The daughter had to leave to go where her mother was.
Excavations of Herod’s fortress where John the Baptist was imprisoned revealed two dining halls - one for men, and one for women.
The men partied in one dining hall and the women in the other.
So, Herodias’ daughter went to the other dining hall ask her mother what to do.
Some believe that this was all planned.
I really don’t know that was the case.
It is possible that Herodias planned it without involving her daughter.
If the daughter was aware of a plan she would have known what to demand of her uncle step-father.
Herodias saw an opportunity and seized it.
She told her daughter to demand the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
“The king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.” Therefore, he sent for the executioner and beheaded John in prison.
The head was placed on a platter and given to the girl, who, in turn, presented it to her mother.
It wasn’t enough to just have John executed.
Having his head presented on a platter was a symbol of mastery over and humiliation of the victim.
What a family!
When John’s disciples heard of it, they came and buried him properly.
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