DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 (Adult) | The Death of John The Baptist
Adult DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
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ADULT STS LESSON 26 – THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
MEMORY VERSE:, “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother’’ [Matthew 14:10,11].
BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 14:1-13
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26 | MESSAGE
This text gives account of the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The ministry of John had effectively prepared the way for Jesus Christ as prophet Isaiah had earlier prophesied: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” [Isaiah 40:3; Matt 3:3; Luke 3:4].
As the ministry of Jesus increased, that of John the Baptist was gradually coming to an end. But the focus of this study is on the death of John the Baptist and his burial. Death is certain for every man, except for believers who will go to meet the LORD during the rapture. There is no need to fear or worry because of death; rather, we should be adequately prepared such that whenever and however God allows us to die; we shall enter eternal bliss with Him.
Genuine experiences of salvation and holy living are necessary for anyone to face death triumphantly. However, the Scripture holds a message of comfort to those who are bereaved of their loved ones who died in Christ. Regardless of how they died, the Lord will bring them again at the rapture. But those who died in unbelief or a backslidden state have no hope. That is the more reason we ought to preach the gospel and intercede earnestly until our relatives and loved ones get saved.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
1. JESUS PERVADING INFLUENCE AND HEROD’S MISCONCEPTION
Matt 14:1,2; mark 6:14-16; 7:17; Luke 9:7-9; John 3:30
The ministry of Jesus Christ which started humbly eventually reached everywhere in Palestine and beyond. Many who received His miracles and those who were exposed to His teachings helped spread the fame of His good works far and near. John had earlier prophesied concerning the ministry of Jesus that “He must increase” and truly, He did with the gospel.
The gospel which is compared to a mustard seed and yeast has great power to expand the kingdom of God. Believers should not despise the day of small beginnings. Preaching to small congregations who appear not to be making expected progress should be encouraged. The sending out of Christ’s disciples to various towns and villages doubtless contributed to making Him known in the country. The news of His extraordinary ministry soon got to Herod’s hearing. This teaches that the great value of publicity cannot be over-emphasized in gospel work.
Publicity is the dissemination of information to the public so that they can respond and take necessary action. The brethren of Jesus, though sarcastically, made a valid statement on publicity. They said: “For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world” (John 7:4).
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
The gospel is like a lit candle which must not be kept under a bushel but on the candlestick so that others can see and benefit from it. The great wonders that God is performing in the Church should be heralded everywhere so that more people can be drawn to know the Lord and put their trust in Him.
The fame of Jesus was eventually brought to the palace. While the identity of those who brought the news was not revealed, it was nonetheless a good thing. Our goal in gospel work is to make Christ and not ourselves known.
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus” (Matt 14:1). This passage identifies Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas. The title ‘tetrarch’ signified a person who ruled over a fourth part of a country; but it was applied to governors who ruled under the Roman Empire. Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the great, the king who ruled Palestine at the time Jesus Christ was born.
After the death Herod the great, his three sons shared the kingdom. Archelaus took the southern and central regions (Judea and Samaria), Herod Antipas took the northern part and eastern Jordan area (Galilee, Decapolis, and Perea), while Herod Philip took charge of Ituraea and Trachonitis (Luke 3:1).
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
Herod Antipas divorced his wife in order to marry Herodias who was the wife of his brother, Philip, but John the Baptist rebuked him for his wrong marriage. Violation of God’s standards on marriage must not be condoned in the Church. Like John, preachers should be fearless and unapologetic in declaring God’s holy standard and rebuking those who go into unscriptural union. John the Baptist was bold in confronting Herod with his sin even though he was imprisoned and later killed as a result. But it is far better to die for te truth than to live in cowardice.
The information concerning Christ’s ministry got to the hearing of Herod Antipas and his response revealed several lessons;
i. The information reactivated Herod’s memory of his cruel treatment of John the Baptist. Here, we see the power of a violated conscience at work. Though John was killed, the conscience of Herod would not let him rest. Sooner or later, all the deeds of men shall be brought to remembrance and judged at the end of time. Even before the final judgment, the violated conscience of sinners and backsliders will trouble them because there is no peace for the wicked.
ii. He erroneously ascribed the work of Jesus to John. Our impression of Jesus and His ministry will affect our response to Him. Some people took Jesus for a mere prophet and as a result, they failed to obtain His benefits of salvation. Jesus is not just a miracle worker but the Saviour of mankind.
iii. Herod confessed to the reality of resurrection. In this regard, he was better than the Sadducees who say that “there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit”. iv. Herod had a wrong knowledge of scriptural resurrection. He believed in reincarnation whereby a previously dead person will come back to life embodied in another form.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
The idea of reincarnation is not scriptural. The doctrine of purgatory is also not rooted in
Scripture. The Bible teaches that, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). There will be resurrection of the just and unjust. The just will resurrect to eternal life (not to post-humous ministry) while the unjust will be damned.
Although Herod’s conscience was definitely troubled at the news of Jesus and His mighty works, it is sad that he did not repent of his wrong deeds. At best, he had remorse. It is not enough to merely hear the word of God; we must give the “more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip”. Hearing instructions without appropriate response will eventually lead to hardness of heart.
2. JOHN’S IMPRISONMENT AND TRAGIC DEATH
Matt 14:3-13; Mark 6:17-29; Luke 9:9; Eccl 3:1,3; Exo 20:13; Pro 15:12; Isaiah 29:20,21
“For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.” The narrative of John’s martyrdom is here presented with the attendant lessons for the heaven-bound pilgrim. John was a fearless and famous preacher. He confronted Herod with his adulterous marriage to Herodias; and for that, he was imprisoned. Herod had earlier thought of John as a just man and holy, but his lust for Herodias corrupted his sound conviction and would not allow him to repent or make necessary restitution.
Sin hardens the heart and turns a person from the path of sound judgment. Herod heard John gladly and “did many things” but the only thing needful for salvation he failed to do. He was obedient only in part to John’s mentoring as he did not correct his wrong marriage to Herodias. That failure to separate from an illegal marriage partner gave the opportunity for the woman to plot the death of John. God expects total obedience to all His laws. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
The reproving message of John did not go down well with Herodias. It was odious to her and the king. Herod’s marriage to Herodias was unlawful because it negates God’s law that states. “Thou shall not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness” (Lev 18:16).
Apostle Paul said: “So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called n adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is not adulteress, though she be married to another man” (Rom 7:3). God still keeps the sanctity of marriage.
The ungodly detest reproof. Therefore, it was no surprise that Herod and Herodias had serious hatred for John because they loved their sinful relationship. Consequently, she looked for an opportunity to kill John. Preachers of truth should not be discouraged by the negative reaction of their hearers. According to the Scripture, having hitching ears is one of the signs of the end-time.
Herod’s immediate reaction to John’s rebuke was to lay hold on him and put him in prison. He treated him like a common criminal. Remember that Jesus was also unjustly treated and humiliated. Therefore, believers who are suffering unjustly should take solace in God.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
On the day the king celebrated his birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced so well that Herod was pleased with her. He then made a rash promise, with an oath, asking her to request anything she wanted, even up to half of the kingdom. Imagine such a promise to a young girl. The girl, having been counseled by her mother, asked for the head of John the Baptist. To save his face, Herod decided to honour her request; he sent an executioner to behead John and gave it to the girl who passed it on to her mother.
We should learn from Herod’s mistake not to make rash promises. We must also beware lest we become bad models for our children like Herodias who counseled her daughter to make a wicked demand. Her influence was like that of Athaliah (II Chro 22:2,3).
Christian parents should not influence their children to do evil. But in a case where the parents are ungodly or backslidden, their godly children should not walk in their wicked counsels (Psalm 1:1).
It is necessary to also ponder on the result of the celebration of Herod’s birthday and the tragic death of John the Baptist that was associated with it. Remember that Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, also celebrated a birthday feast that was linked with the killing of his chief baker (Gen 40:20-22). Carnal festivities promote all kinds of evil. Wild partying, reveling, drunkenness, lasciviousness, lusts and banqueting are associated with such sensual feasts and they are condemned in Scripture (I Peter 4:3; Gal 5:19-21).
Worldly entertainments pervert the use of music and dancing. Some Christian assemblies engage in such sensual activities, and they consider them as evidence of revival. But these things actually promote carnality and deny worship the expected solemnity and orderliness.
After the death of John, his disciples took his body for burial and they went and told Jesus all that had happened. The disciples of John associated with him even after death. They showed their commitment and were not ashamed of their master even when it appeared evil had prevailed against their cause. They informed Jesus about his death.
- DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
The reasons the disciples of John informed Jesus could be the following:
i. John’s ministry was connected to Christ’s. He was a herald.
ii. They possibly needed consolation by Christ.
iii. To warn Jesus of possible danger to His life in view of His uncompromising ministry like that of John.
iv. Jesus and John were relatives and also as a mark of respect for Jesus.
Believers should learn to tell Jesus all their challenges because He is ever present to help in time of trouble.
3. BELIEVERS’ PERSECUTION IN PERSPECTIVE
Matt 5:10-12,44; Psalm 119:86; John 15:20; Rom 12:14; II Tim 3:12
John the Baptist was a victim of cruel persecution for the sake of righteousness. He was imprisoned and martyred because he spoke the truth and stood for it. Believers are to be uncompromising in their stand for righteousness. We are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. But in so doing, we must be prepared to face various kinds of persecution from those who hate the truth.
Persecution has been described by a writer as treating someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of their religious beliefs. The Scripture says: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim 3:12).
Persecution dated back to when Cain persecuted Abel, his brother because his works were evil while that of Abel was good. Several reasons can be adduced for Christian persecution. However, it could come in form of ridicules, scorn, deprivation, physical harm or even death. Saints down the ages had suffered persecution. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour was also persecuted.
But we must maintain proper attitude during persecution. This includes: Forbearance (Matt 5:38-42), Mercy (Rom 12:20), Love for persecutors (Matt 5:44), Expectation, Hope, faith and realization that great reward awaits us from God. Blessed are those who endure persecution till the end because they will surely wear a crown. Therefore, those suffering persecution should commit their souls to God in well doing, be steadfast in the faith and expect eternal rewards.
DCLM Search The Scripture 3 July 2022 || Lesson 26
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
1. Why should believers not be afraid of death and how can a person face death triumphantly?
2. What is publicity and what are the forms and effects of good gospel publicity?
3. What is the stand of the Scriptures on reincarnation and what is the correct biblical teaching on resurrection?
4. What are the reasons for divorce and remarriage and what is God’s attitude towards such?
5. How can you define persecution?
6. What should be the believer’s attitude during persecution?
7. How can we remain victorious during persecution?
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