OCU C)HT C Devotion 04
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MATTHEW 14 – BEHEADED
So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:10-12)
John the Baptist was an instrumental ambassador for the Lord Jesus. Without fear, John spoke boldly concerning the coming kingdom. John would condemn the hypocritical Pharisees and preach to the masses about what true righteousness was; that salvation was not experienced through the law or a Hebrew bloodline but from the repentance from sin and the exercise of faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
John’s testimony threatened many of the Jewish leaders who had a stronghold on the Hebrew people. While the Pharisees preached the law, John preached the judgment of God and the repentance of sin. Many people who heard Johns’s message were saved and were publicly baptized. Sadly, many of the Hebrew converts faced a lifetime of exile by their family and communities.
CHALLENGE
John took his calling to preach the kingdom of God very seriously.
John preached with great zeal and holy conviction. Sadly, John’s witness for Jesus would eventually cost him his life by decapitation.
Today, God has the same message for you. Have you answered His calling? In doing so, it may cost you your life like it did Johns. Nevertheless, be of good cheer for Jesus’s promises to the saints that are “faithful unto death,” He “will give you a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
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The focus of this week’s devotional is about John the Baptist and other followers of Jesus and their journey, which for many of them included persecution and death. This can be hard to think about, yet it is very true. However, I think it also points out how important the good news of Jesus and the salvation He brings. This is not something that should affect people slightly. This is life-changing, amazing good news. John the Baptist and many other followers of Jesus showed how much they were committed to Him, no doubt because of how much Jesus did for them and changed them. This commitment came from a relationship with Jesus. In a way, it convicts us by asking us whether we are all the way in with our relationship with God. With God’s help and grace, we can always keep growing our relationship with Him.
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John the Baptist was a true lion of the faith. Although he wasn’t part of the twelve disciples, he was indeed a the first true follower of Jesus, bold, unshaken and fully surrendered, even unto death. In some way, we all feel that deep connection to John because of his boldness, raw faith and devotion to the Lord. Ultimately, he was a man who did not compromise. A man who feared God mor than man. If anything, if you ever feel as if you feel set apart while walking in Christ, remember that John most likely understood that as well. These are the things this world needs more of today, and hopefully we all become more like John where we actively surrender to Him on the daily.
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This verse from Matthew 14 highlights the importance of staying true to God’s calling. John the Baptist bravely spoke against religious hypocrisy and emphasized repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. His message challenged the Pharisees and led many to salvation but also caused rejection by their communities. John’s beheading by a corrupt ruler shows the great sacrifice of true discipleship. The passage encourages readers to respond to God’s call with passion and bravery, despite potential suffering or death, promising eternal reward for those who remain faithful. John’s story reminds us that following Christ has a high cost, but the reward is far greater.
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John the Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus Christ. He was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. I love the fact that he preached the gospel with truth and conviction. He didn’t have any issue standing up against for justice in his day, which eventually cost him his life. The devotion reminded me of Mark 10:29-30 which to paraphrase in a nutshell Jesus is saying anything we sacrifice in this life in service or devotion to the Lord’s work we will receive back multiplied in this time, with persecution, and eternal life in the world to come(James, 2019). We may not physically have to walk away from our immediate family, but we may have to walk away from their belief system to take on God’s.
John responded with bravery, but while he was imprisoned awaiting beheading he sent word by his disciples to Jesus saying, “are you He that should come, or should we look for another?” asking if Christ really was the promised Messiah (James, 2019; Matt. 11:3,KJV). When things got hard, even though John knew Jesus was the Messiah, his faith did waver. The beauty is that Jesus didn’t cast him aside because he wavered. He told his disciples to look at what they saw & heard with their own eyes & ears from Jesus. Then go back, report & tell John God blesses those who are not offended of Him, meaning don’t turn back because of the trouble you might have to endure. So I believe John stayed the course because of this reassurance from Jesus in the midst of a difficult circumstance. This is encouragement to me as well knowing even in our tough times He is with us and we just need to stay the course.
References
James, K. (2019). Holy Bible: King James Version, 1611 Edition.
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In today’s world we enjoy freedoms that weren’t always available in the time of John the Baptist. Though not completely free from religious persecution, in our world losing your physical life for your faith isn’t as common. That doesn’t mean that we can’t glean anything from the lesson. In Matthew 16:25 we read “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NIV). Laying down your life for the Lord can mean the physical ending of life, but it can also be more symbolic. Though I may not lay down my actual life each day, I can lay down my will, my desires, my actions in favor of the will of God, the desires of God and the actions I am led by God to take. By “losing” my life in this way, I find my life in the will of God and in HIS strength I am led to accomplish his purpose for me.
Holy Bible, New internation Version https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016%3A25&version=NIV
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John the Baptist didn’t hold back. He wasn’t worried about what people thought; he was more concerned with what God thought. And that’s what made his ministry so powerful. He called out sin, challenged corrupt leaders, and pointed people to Jesus. But let’s be real, his obedience came at a huge cost. He didn’t die of old age in a peaceful setting. He was beheaded in a prison cell because he refused to stay silent.
It makes me ask: am I that bold in my faith? Would I still speak the truth if it meant losing my comfort, reputation, or even my life? That’s heavy. But Revelation 2:10 reminds us that being faithful unto death isn’t the end. It’s a doorway to a crown of life.
John’s story is a reminder that following Jesus isn’t always safe, but it’s always worth it. His courage challenges me to live with the same kind of fearless conviction.
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