From Matthew 14:1-12 / Descending into Hell

James warns us that we can hear the Word, which can act like a mirror reflecting our true visage – but from which when we walk away – allows our imagination to recreate that image into something we prefer. As the Word reflects the ill-effects of sin in our souls, if we fail to unflinchingly continue that view, soon, we will imagine ourselves something we are not.

Now it is absolutely true that the Believer, by virtue of the new birth, justification and the indwelling Spirit is a new creature indeed. What we were in ourselves considered alone is gone forever. And, it is also true that we are not yet all that the Father intends us to be before He is done with us.

Even the resurrected Christ still bore the scars of His crucifixion. Healed they were, yet visible still. And so the damage sin has done to us leaves its scars behind. In fact, we might think in terms of a deadly cancer. It ravages, disfigures and wreaks all kinds of havoc. At this point in our salvation, sin’s progress has been stopped in its tracks. It can no longer present the danger it once did, even though some of the remnants of its ravages remain visible.

And, the cancer is not yet fully eradicated. It still has some energy. The flesh still lusts against the Spirit even though it can no longer have dominion nor threaten damnation.

But praise God He has given us assurance of the final dominion and perfection in the resurrection. Oh happy day!

Until then, we still see sin at work. And one place where it is bared in ghastly relief is in this passage – and in Herod Antipas.

Note first: How the unregenerate often mix true religion and superstition together.

Herod had no Biblical reason to believe that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead and was performing miracles in the form of Jesus. Nevertheless, he was disturbed by these thoughts. His guilt over what he had done in murdering John, filtered through his unregenerate and ill-informed mind, led him to a strange conclusion.

We ought not to think it strange then that unbelievers we meet today may need to be disabused of such perverse notions as well. We need to consider that in our evangelization.

Note second: As we have seen often before, simply seeing miraculous things does not convert a soul to Christ. There is no “magic bullet” in evangelization but the plain Gospel itself. How may Christians think that if people could just witness some sign, some miracle, the discussion would end. Not so. Jesus healed multitudes. Even after raising the dead, demonstrating mastery over nature and preaching truth in its purest form for years – He had but a handful of Believers in His death. And they, not fully comprehending. Our faith must be in the Spirit creating faith in the heart – not in outward proofs.

Note third: It is right for us to proclaim to public figures that their sin is unjustifiable. And this remains true regardless of party or affinity. So many in recent years have delighted to proclaim the sins of those in opposing political parties, while remaining virtually silent on the one who is “our guy.” It is a wicked hypocrisy which has taken hold in American Evangelicalism which needs to be repented of. Yes, we need to confront sin. No, we cannot do so with political exemptions.

Note fourth: When sin goes unchecked, sooner or later it will demand the unthinkable from us. And we will give it. For we have lost all resolve to resist if we have seared our consciences time after time after time.

So it is Herod went from lusting after his brother’s wife – divorcing his own to have her; to locking up John for calling him on it; to lusting after his step-daughter in a most public way; to having John beheaded. The descent is obvious and terrifying.

Historians tell us Herodias’ daughter was probably between 12 and 14 at this time. Her public and sensual gyrations were too much for the man who had stepped further and further down from moral decisions time after time. And such is the pattern for all still bound in sin. A tendency which does not leave even the most godly saint.

Note fifth: How Herod was more concerned about offending his guest, than God in any respect. And how this tendency again can still have it urgings in us. We see its shadow in Peter’s failure in Antioch. We must still beware the same in ourselves.

Note lastly: Jesus did not consider John’s senseless death as reason to stop manifesting the Kingdom and preaching the Gospel.

Our Christ remained undaunted by any danger to fulfill the Father’s will, and bring about the salvation He was sent to accomplish. And if it was true in His incarnation, how much more does He remain at work on our behalf until the day of His return. Nothing can thwart the hand of our Savior. He who began a good work in us, will absolutely complete it until His day. Have no fear dear Believer, your Christ cannot be turned aside by anything.