Read Matthew 14:1–12
Questions from the Scripture text: How does Matthew 14:1 tie itself to what preceded? Who heard what? To whom did he speak? Whom did He say that Jesus is (Matthew 14:2)? What was his explanation for Jesus’s works? What had Herod done to John (Matthew 14:3)? Where had he put him? For whose sake? Why (Matthew 14:4)? What did he want to do (Matthew 14:5)? But why didn’t he? What did the people have him as? On what occasion does Matthew 14:6 occur? What did Herodias’s daughter do? What effect did this have upon Herod? What was the combined effect of this manner of celebration and pleasing—what, then, did the king do (Matthew 14:7)? Who prompted the girl (Matthew 14:8)? To ask for what? Presented in what way? How did the king feel about this (Matthew 14:9)? What two things overcame his reluctance? What did he do (Matthew 14:10)? What was done to John (Matthew 14:11)? What did the girl do? Who came in Matthew 14:12? What did they do with the body? Whom did they tell?
How should we respond to Christ’s resurrection power? Matthew 14:1–12 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twelve verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should respond to Christ’s resurrection power by submitting to Him, trusting in Him, and hoping in Him.
Recognition of resurrection power. The passage begins with recognition of resurrection power. Herod is wrong about the identity, but he is correct about the intensity of the power that is at work. Do you see how much you can recognize, and agree to, about Jesus, but not have saving faith (cf. Luke 23:8–12)? You must do more than mentally agree that Jesus has resurrecting power. You must submit to Him and put your hope in Him.
Rejection of faithful preaching. Those who wish to do what is right in their own eyes show the level of their commitment to their sin when they reject the divinely appointed messenger. Herod rejected not only a man, but God Himself, Whose prophet John was, and Christ Himself, Whose special forerunner John was. Herod could imprison and behead John, but Herod himself will be resurrected one day (cf. John 5:28–29, Acts 24:15) before God, and Christ, and even John himself (cf. Revelation 2:26–27). When faithful preaching criticizes something in our behavior, let us seek grace from God to respond with humble self-examination, lest in rejecting His word in the mouth of His messenger, we be found to be rejecting God Himself.
Responding to the fear of men. Herod wanted to execute John (Matthew 14:5), but God’s method of restraining his evil was fear of the multitude. We wouldn’t read this and give John moral credit. So, why would we give ourselves credit for moral behavior that is done only when others are looking, or because of what others might think or do? Are we better than Herod in works that are done in this way?
Responding to spiritual ministry from the flesh (cf. Mark 6:20). God was merciful to Herod. Not savingly, but still greatly merciful to restrain his sin. And He did this even through John’s Word. Matthew doesn’t include this, but it helps us understand the sorriness that Matthew 14:9 tells us about. Mark 6:19–20 fills us in on the period of John’s imprisonment. Herodias harbored more resentment, but Herod came to fear John as just and holy (not just powerful). He came to like him, protect him, hear him, listen to him and even hear him gladly. Yet, all of this was not by saving grace, but only by logic. How much of a good response we can have to preachers and preachers, and it all still be entirely in the flesh! Let us be grateful for God’s giving us such responses, but not rest upon them as proofs of saving grace. Rather, let us seek from Him that, more and more, He produce right response from the heart, from the new man, by His Spirit’s applying Christ to us.
Revelry that removes constraints. John’s regard for John began to meet its demise at a birthday party. Rather than seriously joyous reflection before God, this was the sort of party with girls dancing for men to watch for pleasure. Indubitably, there was drinking involved, and a general scene of revelry. All of these induce the setting aside of good judgment. As Matthew 14:9 implies about this occasion, this lapse in judgment is made worse by being shared with “those who sat with him.”
Men do foolish things in such circumstances, including making rash oaths. And Herodias and her daughter thus succeed in doing something far worse to Herod than they did to John. For it is much worse to be a murderer than to be murdered. And all the worse for Herod, since his victim was one whom he had regarded as just and holy and a reliable preacher. O how dangerous is revelry in the flesh! We mustn’t confuse seriously joyous celebration with it, and we mustn’t subject ourselves to it and to the temptation to which it exposes us.
Recognition of resurrection power. There is one more response to resurrection power here in this passage, and it is that of John’s disciples in Matthew 14:12. John had loved not his life even unto death. But there is a resurrection coming, both for John and for Herod. It is in view of that resurrection that John’s disciples come and care for his body by burial. That body is dead, but John isn’t done with it. And they do one more thing, out of regard for the true resurrection power. They come and tell Jesus, Him Who Himself is the resurrection and the life (cf. John 11:25–26). Here are two things we can do as a right response to resurrection power, two things that grace will produce in us: burying our dead in the hope of the resurrection, and telling all our troubles to Him Who is the resurrection. Whatever your great griefs and troubles are, dear reader, go and tell Jesus!
How do you respond, when the preaching of the Word corrects something in your own behavior? How can you tell that you are responding to the Lord Himself, and not just pressure from men? When in your life is there opportunity for more danger of reinforcing bad judgment with others? What are your plans for your, and other believers’, bodies at death? What is your habit for going and telling Jesus your griefs and troubles?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are the resurrection and the life. Thank You for sending us Your faithful Word. Make us glad to put our trust in You before Your wrath is kindled. Grant that we would be those blessed who put our trust in You for this life and for eternity. Make us those who hope in Jesus for resurrection, and who take all of our griefs to go and tell Jesus, through Whom we ask it all, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH520 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
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