In an account recorded by Mark the evangelist (Mk 6: 14-28), we see the stark contrast of two characters – John the Baptist, the courageous and faithful servant of the Lord; and King Herod, the wicked and cowardly king.
Herod had beheaded John the Baptist because of the promise he made to Salome, the daughter of Herodias (vv 21-27). This incident shows us how one can easily slip down the slippery slope of sin. Sin is always deceitful. It blinds the victim by its allurements of pleasure, happiness or gain. One who commits sin is under a delusion because sin leads its victim downward until the heart becomes hardened and the conscience seared. That was why the apostle Paul urged the Hebrew Christians to “exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3: 13).
What were the steps of decline in the case of wicked King Herod and what lessons can we learn from them?
1. Ignoring the warning against sin
John the Baptist had boldly reproved the king over his adultery with Herodias, his brother’s wife: “For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (v 18).
We read in verse 20 that “when he (Herod) heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” In response to John’s preaching, the king “did many things” taught by him. Unlike Governor Felix who heard Paul with terror (Acts 24: 25), Herod hearkened to John with pleasure. However, he failed to do the very thing which was demanded of him – to give up his adulterous relationship with Herodias.
“He still loved his sins, and did other things which he supposed might be accepted, in the place of putting away, as he ought, the wife of his brother – the polluted and adulterous woman with whom he lived. Perhaps he treated John kindly, or spoke well of him, or aided him in his wants; and attempted in this way to silence his rebukes, and destroy his faithfulness. This was probably before John was imprisoned. So sinners often treat ministers kindly, and do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, while they are still unwilling to do the thing which is demanded of them, to repent and believe the gospel. They expect that their kind attention will be accepted in the place of what God demands – repentance and the forsaking of their sins” (Albert Barnes).
Herod was given the opportunity to repent while there was yet time. But he allowed his wanton lust to overwhelm his conscience, and continued in his sinful indulgence. “To show reverence towards God’s ministers, and do many things gladly at their suggestion, avails nothing for the salvation of the soul while the sin which God’s law forbids is cherished and persisted in” (Family Bible Notes).
2. Yielding to the fear of men
Though “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy” (v 20), that fear was overruled by the fear of the adverse opinions of others. Charmed by the dancing of Salome, the king rashly promised her whatever she asked “unto the half of my kingdom” (vv 22-23). When she asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger (v 25), “the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her” (v 26). More concerned about “losing face” than acting with integrity, the king immediately sent an executioner to behead John in the prison and commanded the head to be brought forth in a charger (v 27).
By one rash act, Herod, who had gladly heard the Baptist, stifled his conscience. To please Herodias and her daughter, he chose to ignore the divine warning and ordered the execution of John.
Conclusion
Brethren, let us be warned of the deceitfulness of sin and its sad consequences. Is any among us clinging to some besetting sin? Our gracious Lord has given us opportunities to repent. He warns us through our conscience, His Word and His servants. Let us not be content with the mere hearing of God’s Word. Rather, let us be willing to forsake our sinful ways.
As Christians, we have an added line of defence against sin; we have the indwelling Spirit of God in our hearts. Let us be all the more sensitive to the Spirit’s still, small voice. May we not harden our hearts but yield to the Spirit’s work of grace. Set our hearts right with God and man. By doing so, we shall be kept from sin and its accompanying bitterness, sorrow and ruin.
– Pastor