John the Baptist Beheaded

John the Baptist has been in prison for some time. Herod is afraid to touch him, but not Herodias. She manipulates Herod and he beheads John.

Oh, how I wish there was a definitive timeline for Jesus’ life. I find my order out of sequence again. This is partly because it’s difficult to tell what ministries Jesus did alone, after He sent His disciples out. And we have no stories of their ministry besides a blanket statement.

I have come to believe that John’s disciples came to Jesus while the disciples were away. It is also possible that Jesus’ dinner with Simon, the Pharisee happened during this time. I say this because, neither story mentions Jesus’ disciples. I put them in the story of Simon, but I may have to rethink that.

Today’s story is probably during the time they were separated. We know that when Jesus learned of this, He and His disciples went to mourn in a solitary place, but the people followed Him. That is when the feeding of the 5,000 happened.

Because of all this ‘confusion’, I want to back up a little bit in our story’s timeline. I want to join John, in prison, and move from his answered questions to the end of his life.

Holy Spirit, lead this journey where You will. This is a sad story, but one that had to happen. John had to be removed before Jesus final work could take place. Show me what You want me to take from this story, and what I can apply to my own life.

♥ ♦ ♥

It has been a week since John’s disciples brought him back word from Jesus concerning his question. A week of KNOWING once again that Jesus IS the Messiah. This knowledge is an enormous comfort to John. But there are times when guilt over his doubts surfaces. Along with loneliness and frustration.

“Lord, forgive me for doubting who Jesus truly is. I have known since before my birth, and my spirit bore witness every time we were together. It is just… hard, sitting here alone and unable to do any more work for You.”

As John finishes his prayer, he hears the Lord speak to him.

“You are NEVER alone. My Spirit is with you at all times; even unto death. And your mission is not over. You are reaching those in prison with you as well as the guards. You are exactly where you need to be, right now.”

“Thank You Lord for speaking to me and giving me that comfort. I will try and hold onto Your words in this dark place.”

The days, weeks, and months crawl by for John. He tries to fill them with speaking to those in his realm about the Lord. There is no water to baptize anyone, but he still speaks to them of repentance. “The Lord knows your heart. Even if I can’t baptize you, that doesn’t mean that your sins are not forgiven. And the works that you do here are demonstrations of that changed heart. Those works include being obedient to those in authority over us, doing whatever you can to care for your fellow prisoners, and speaking of the Lord’s love and mercy with whomever you can.”

Today, the guards are in foul spirits. Their tone is harsh and they take out their frustrations on the prisoners. John tires to comfort them; even though he is the one in prison.

“Why are you so angry today? Is it something we did? What can we do to make it right, or to help?”

Matthias breaks the angry silence. “Herod is having a birthday party just over our heads and we are stuck down here with… you.”

“I’m sorry” John says, realizing that there is nothing more he can say or do to correct this situation.

After Matthias leaves, John calls out to the other prisoners. “The guards are on edge today. Give them NO reason to ‘discipline’ you. Their displeasure will be taken out on whoever makes themselves a target.”

The prisoners do their best to be invisible today. It seems to be working, for the most part.

While John tries to make the lives of the prisoners easier, Herod is making the lives of his guests more enjoyable. He has a lavish banquet set before them. The table is overflowing with fine food and the best wines. Each guest is treated like royalty. Their cup is always full and their comfort is a priority with Herod’s servants.

Herodias has plans for the banquet as well. Her plan has to wait until Herod is ‘feeling fine with the wine’. Her plan has been in the works for months.

Herodias’ daughter, Salome, is a phenomenal dancer! She always has her audience eating out of the palm of her hand before she leaves the stage. Herodias has a special dance prepared for Herod’s birthday. Salome works on it daily, until it is perfect. Not a single step can be missed, not a stretch shortened, and not a hair out of place.

The banquet is proceeding as planned. Herod is in his boisterous mood and showing off to his guests. He is on the ‘tipsy’ side and liable to say anything, given the right provocation. Herodias is watching from the wings. She is not part of this ‘male bonding’ ritual.

Salome is nearby. She is dressed in the most exquisite costume; one that will leave the men with drool on their faces. And she is poised to take her place on her ima’s signal.

Herodias watches Herod throw his head beck in laughter. “It’s time” she says to herself. She hurries to the place Salome waits. She walks carefully into the room, maintaining an heir of dignity. She brushes imaginary specks from Salome’s costume before giving her final instructions.

“Make sure that Herod can see you at all times. As often as possible, make eye contact with him, but don’t make it obvious. And when he offers you a gift, come straight to me. I will tell you what to ask for.”

Head held high, Salome glides into the room and takes her place before the men. A drum begins to beat and Salome’s hips pick up the rhythm. Salome’s movements draw the music into her realm as if she is creating the rhythm with her body alone. She twirls, spins, leaps, and stretches the bounds of the human body’s capacity as she moves through the room. Every eye is glued to her. The audience is drinking in her performance like water in a baren desert.

Salome strikes a final pose and the music stops. She holds it a few more seconds for effect. Appreciative calls rise up from the crowd, followed by table banging.

Salome drops her chin as though shy about accepting such an outpouring of appreciation. She looks at Herod from beneath her lashes and gives him a shy, sultry, smile. Herod’s pride in her accomplishments shines through his eyes. He calls to her from his seat.

“Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you. Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom” (Mark 6:22 & 23).

Salome bows deeply and leaves the stage. Once outside the banquet room, she hurries to find her ima. She doesn’t have to look very far. She was standing in the shadows, watching the whole time.

“He has offered me up to half of his kingdom, Ima. What should I ask for?”

“You did wonderfully. And this is exactly what I expected him to offer you. Tell him that you want the head of John the Baptist.”

Salome sees the gleam in her ima’s eye. She knows the torment her ima has felt regarding this man. Now she can rid her ima of this problem forever. She grabs her ima’s hands, enfolds them in her own hands, and holds them close to her breasts.

“It will be done as you ask.”

Salome hurries back to the banquet hall. She composes herself before entering, ensuring that every sequin is in place on her costume. She walks back into the banquet hall with purpose. She goes over to where Herod sits, and kneels at his feet, with her head to the ground.

Herod sees and is pleased. “Rise most beautiful of daughters. What is your desire? You may ask for up to half of my kingdom and it will be yours” he proclaims again.

Salome raises her head from the ground and looks at Herod. In a sultry voice, she makes her request known. “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (Mark 6:25).

Herod nearly chokes on his wine. His eyes go huge and his mind spins with thoughts of what this means. First, he recognizes Herodias’ hand in all this. He knows how angry she is with John for calling out her sin. Next, he realizes the ‘trap’ that he is in. He can deny the request, and be seen as a liar. Or he can grant the request and risk the people rising up against him on John’s behalf.

This struggle takes only a few moments. Herod decides that his ‘word’ is crucial. If no one trusts him, they will not obey him. He signals his guard over.

“Go to the prison and bring me back the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Place it in Salome’s hands.”

John and his fellow prisoners have no idea what is coming. They have been doing their best to stay out of the guard’s way. John has been leading prayer and singing some of the songs of David. His singing voice isn’t the best, but his heart pours through.

Herod’s servant comes to Matthias. “Herod has ordered the head of John the Baptist be removed from his shoulders immediately.”

Matthias is stunned. He likes John and is beginning to believe the things that he is saying. But he cannot show this at all. It would mean his death. Matthias tasks one of the other guards with bringing John out.

“Jonas, bring John to the chopping block. But be respectful of him. Do not mistreat him on the way.”

Jonas is one of the more spiteful guards. His lip curls in a sneer.

Matthias addresses him immediately. “I am serious. There better not be a mark on him when he walks out into the courtyard with you.”

Jona’s face hardens in a glare, but he knows better than to disobey a direct order. Jonas makes his way into the inner prison. As he turns the key in the lock, he calls out to John.

“You! Baptizer. You are coming with me.”

John looks over at him with a quizzical look on his face, but says nothing. He knows of Jonas’ proclivity for abuse, and he doesn’t want to give him any encouragement. John steps over towards the door, as far as his chain will allow.

Jonas opens the cell door. “Step back, and put your foot on the cot” he orders.

John does as he is told.

Jonas bends down with his key and unlocks John’s shackle. The whole time Jonas is doing this, he is keeping a watchful eye on John. He hopes he makes some kind of move so that he can have an excuse to beat him.

John waits silently while Jonas works.

As the chain falls free, Jonas grinds his teeth. He was sure John would have taken the opportunity to escape, but he didn’t. “Maybe he will try something in the tunnel” he consoles himself. Jonas shackles John’s wrists together and leads him from his cell.

The two walk through the dark hallways. Jonas whispers “You won’t be making a return trip. You will meet your God today.”

John hears the words but gives no outward reaction. Inwardly, John prays. “Into Your hands I commit my spirit, Lord.”

As the two walk out into the light of the courtyard, John raises his hand to shade his eyes. This is the first time he has been outside since he was arrested. When his eyes adjust, he looks around and sees one of the soldiers standing beside the chopping block, holding a heavy axe. Matthias stands beside him.

Jonas is even angrier that John didn’t give him an opportunity to hit him even once. Jonas ‘trips’ and knocks into John, sending him to the ground. Matthias gives Jonas a withering glare. He knows this was no accident, but he doesn’t want to appear soft on John in front of his men.

Matthias steps over and helps John up from the ground. As he is lifting John by the arm, he whispers; “I’m sorry. There is nothing I can do about this.”

John nods slightly so that only Matthias notices. Then he looks into Matthias’ eyes, letting him know that all is well.

John is taken to the chopping block where Jonas shoves him chest down over it. John’s chains are fastened to a loop on the bottom of the block, ensuring that he doesn’t move. The executioner raises his axe and brings it down in one fell swoop. John’s head is severed cleanly and it falls into the basked in front of the block. Jonas steps over and picks John’s head up by its hair.

“Not so high and mighty now, are you Baptizer.”

“That’s enough” roars Matthias. He motions Herod’s guard over so that he can take the head to his master. He also motions another soldier over to take John’s body.

“Put him is a cool, dry, place. His disciples will likely come to retrieve it.”

Herod’s guard brings John’s head and places it on a silver platter. He makes his way into the banquet hall, carrying the severed head. The guests look on in glee as the platter is brought before Herod.

The guard holds the platter out towards Herod. Herod shakes his head and indicated that he is to give the platter directly to Salome. She hesitates for only a moment. Salome takes the platter and holds it at arms’ length while she exits the banquet hall. She finds her ima waiting just beyond the doors.

“Here Ima. Just as you asked for.”

Herodias takes the platter and holds John’s head up until their eyes meet. “Who is going to be judged? Who is going to die? It looks like it is you, and not me” she says with a smile.

Herodias turns and hands the platter to a nearby servant. “Dispose of this disgusting thing. Burn it in the fire.”

Matthias was not able to reunite John’s head with his body. But he did make certain that John’s disciples learned what happened this day. They came to retrieve John’s body the very next day.

Word quickly spread to all the cities and towns of Israel. Jesus received word of John’s death a week after his body was laid to rest by his disciples. Jesus’ disciples also heard the news and they all returned to Jesus. They wanted to comfort their Teacher in His time of grief. And they had AMAZING reports to share with Him of the wonders they had seen while out spreading His word.

(to be continued)

I imagine that, after being certain that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, John was ready to depart from the scene. He knew that he had to decrease as Jesus increased. I have NO idea how I would have reacted in that situation; KNOWING that your life is over.

People face that reality every day. Those who are dying of disease or injury, those sentenced to death, and those who take their life in their own hands and do dangerous things. One of those things is standing up for Jesus in places where, doing so means death. I pray I would stand tall and walk with dignity. Because I KNOW where I would be going next. Into my Father’s arms!

I wonder how many of his jailers became believers. We know that many of Paul’s did. I don’t find it hard to believe that the ‘spirit of Elijah’ didn’t impact the people around him.

Father God, thank You for making John’s death quick. He probably didn’t even feel it, as it was so swift. What he DID feel is Your welcoming embrace. “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

Those are the words I want to hear when we meet face to face. Not, “Well kiddo, you could have done better.” I already know I could have, and should have. But I THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART for Your mercy and grace each time I stumble.

Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for Your ‘loss’ here on earth. I know that You KNEW You would see John again in a short time. That had to give You comfort. But it still hurt. I wish I could hug You and carry some of Your pain away. You certainly carry mine. Thank You for that! Thank You for letting me keep my husband longer. Watch over him while he is in surgery tomorrow.