The Beheading of John the Baptist - Part 1 - (Matthew 14: 1-11 Exposition)

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The Beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14: 1-11 Exposition)

Introduction.

Over the years as I’ve talked to people about the Lord, and I’ve had someone just flat out tell me they did not believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God or the Messiah. On some of those occasions I have said to them then what is your explanation to whom Jesus was if he is not who he said he was. If Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, if Jesus Christ and is not the Messiah promised in the Old Testament then in your opinion who was he. Some say he was good moral man, or he was a great teacher, or just the founder of religion called Christianity. But what intrigues me is how did they arrive at that conclusion.

On some occasions I do actually ask say to that person how did you arrive at that conclusion, or to say the same thing another way why would you say that. What I’d like to do today is ask those of questions of ourselves today and hopefully come up with some reasonable explanations that might help us we face similar reactions to our faith and our saviour in everyday life. I would like us to look at some common explanation of who some people think Jesus was but I would also like us to dig a little deeper and find out some more about why people think that way. This is broader than just asking questions about who Jesus Christ is, there is a sense in which the passage we’re going to look at goes way beyond that and looks at decisions people make and why they make them.

This passage has a story about someone who came to a conclusion about who Jesus was and Matthew included it in his Gospel account to tell us not only why what one fella said but why he said it and, in the process, gives us some insight into decisions we make and why we make them. So with that in mind when you turn with me to Matthew chapter 14 Matthew chapter 14 and I’m going to begin reading with verse one.

Reading – Matthew 14: 1-12.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head w

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