Meet Thomas Fuerst

While this passage details the circumstances surrounding the death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod Antipas, it also serves as a great call to examine how we often react to sin brought into the light. Herod started by avoiding the topic of the sin and sought to silence John by imprisoning him (verse 3). We can try this same approach by not thinking about our sin or maybe even justifying it as a “little white lie” or telling ourselves “just this one time.” 

Over time, however, avoiding John wasn’t enough, and Herod actually grew to want to kill him (verse 5), letting anger grow in his heart towards John. When confronted about our sins, we, too, can get angry, telling others “it’s none of your business” and to “leave me alone.”

Although he didn’t necessarily plan or even desire to take John’s life, Herod was so consumed by pride and not losing face in front of his party guests (verse 9) that he agreed to his step-daughter’s request to have John beheaded. Ultimately, Herod attacked the one who pointed out his sin. When others confront us about our sin, do we go so far as to attack them? Maybe not physically, but do we attack their character and tell them they are “flat wrong” or “don’t understand my situation?”

Contrast Herod’s reaction with that of King David in 2 Samuel 12 when his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah, are called out by the prophet Nathan. David, unlike Herod, didn’t avoid the confrontation. David didn’t grow angry, and he didn’t attack Nathan. Instead, David, a man after God’s own heart, admitted his sin and sought forgiveness. David's response provides a great example for us when we are confronted with our sin. We should be careful not to react with avoidance, anger, or attack, but instead to accept the rebuke and seek God’s forgiveness.