At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Here we have a story full of horror and torture. It makes me remember those who live in regimes like this today: in Iran, China, Russia, and Syria, to name a few.

Herod, called out by John for living in sexual sin with his brother’s wife, hated him for it. So he had him arrested to shut him up. And, after likely getting drunk at a racy party where his wife had her daughter dance provocatively before the other nobles assembled, he granted her a wish. She asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. And she got it.

Herod saw John’s power in life from the Holy Spirit. He worried about killing him, and then when Jesus appeared, more powerful than John, he thought he was raised from the dead.

So what do I learn from this story?
1) The pursuit of power is an intoxicating thing. It can drive one mad with lust and anger, trying to keep it. It is, many times, a tool of the devil.
2) Herod could not see Jesus for who he really was, the Savior of the world. Why? His sins blinded him spiritually.
3) Herod cared more about how he was perceived and his power position, than about doing what was right. How do I hold this selfish temptation in check?
4) Herod lusted after women and it cost him greatly. His mental health declined, as he worried about the ghost of John the Baptist.

When I surrender my wants and passions at the foot of the cross, and submit to the leadership of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then I truly live a life without worry and regret. But I must purposely surrender everything.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬)

Mind-control, that is a mind fully controlled by Jesus, is a wonderful thing! We are transformed and empowered to see and know and act on the things of God.

Lord, transform my mind today. May my heart be in line with your heart. Teach me to seek after you and you alone.