Standing for Truth
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. (Luke 3:19–20)
This is the end of our series on Discipleship According to John the Baptist. Click the following for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
The final important lesson we can learn here from John the Baptist is a challenging one. After exhorting the people who were listening to John’s teachings, John turns to rebuke King Herod. John shows us that faithful ministry in preparing people for Jesus may not end in fame and glory. In fact, it may end up in imprisonment and having your head chopped off. However, standing up for truth is part of the job of making disciples.
John the Baptist was no friend to Herod, particularly because John told Herod all the things he was doing wrong. As King of Israel, though a puppet of the Roman government, John was sure to let Herod know that he in no way represented what God desired out of Israel’s king. Apparently, John kept a list and made sure Herod was aware of it. Luke tells us that “Herod added this to them all.” When John called Herod out for his marriage to Herodias, that was enough for Herod, and he had John arrested. Most likely out of fear of John, viewing him as a threat to his rule over the people. We know from other accounts of John’s life, that eventually Herod had John beheaded at the request of Herodias (Matthew 14, Mark 6). John, the forerunner of Jesus, drawing the crowds and the admiration of many, ends his ministry career sitting in a cell and being martyred. Not exactly the fame and glory many seek.
First, what is the big deal about this marriage? Herod and Herodias’ marriage was against Old Testament law (Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21) as both Herod and Herodias left their previous marriages for this one. Herodias was also originally married to Herod’s brother Philip, a blood relative. Again, Herod is a puppet king for the Roman government. He is not a true king for Israel, does not come from the line of David, and clearly has no interest in following the laws of the Living God. As John is preaching a baptism of repentance in preparation for the true King of Israel’s arrival, Herod is being told by John that he too must repent. There is no excuse for this behavior and Herod will stand in judgment before God.
Second, Herod’s response is markedly different from the people mentioned earlier in this section. While some want to know “When then shall we do?” as they are convicted, others want to remove the source of the conviction so that they might continue in their sin. Herod and Herodias hear John’s rebuke and decide to remove the source of this message rather than respond to the message. Herodias is the one driving this decision. As we read through other accounts of John’s relationship with Herod, we know that Herod has a strange fascination with John. He clearly does not agree with the message but finds enjoyment in listening to Him. As mentioned earlier, Herod is afraid of John’s influence but does not seem inclined to kill him. He merely wants his message all to himself. It is Herodias who finally convinces Herod to have John the Baptist beheaded. The bottom line here is the difference in response to the message. While many are truly repenting and turning from their sin, Herod and Herodias are hiding the messenger and ignoring the message. John, however, will continue to be faithful to the message he has been called to give. John goes from famous preacher to prison inmate, to martyr.
As we close this brief look at John the Baptist, we see here that our role in making disciples may not end in fame and glory. In fact, many of the world’s most impactful disciple-makers have had their lives ended in martyrdom. And should we really be surprised at this? This is the type of outcome Jesus Himself faced and guaranteed His followers would face. We know the good news of the resurrection guarantees that we will rise again with Him and receive our reward in full. I pray that we will follow John’s example and be faithful to the message we have been told to give, stand up for what is true even in the face of the gravest of consequences and leave the results in the hands of the Father.