King Herod had a birthday party, and it was a very special one. However, King Herod was not a Christian, and deep down in his heart he was not a happy man. Every birthday made him a year older and a year closer to the grave. People might say, “Happy Birthday,” but that did not take away the problems in his heart.
He had tried very hard to make himself happy, even taking his brother’s wife for himself. And when John the Baptist told King Herod that was the wrong thing to do, he put John in prison. He knew this wasn’t right, so he just tried to forget all about John and have a happy birthday anyway.
His party must have been a big celebration, and part of the entertainment was a dancing girl. King Herod really enjoyed her grace and skill, and he told her she could choose her reward. It can be anything you like, he said, even half of my kingdom!
That’s a big choice for a girl. What should she ask for? Maybe her mother could help her choose, so she slipped out and asked her mother, What shall I ask for?
What would you say if you got an offer like that? Maybe you would want piles of money or a big important place in the world. But there are things money can’t buy. You want something that lasts forever, don’t you? There’s no use asking King Herod, because he couldn’t give you something that lasts forever anyway. You might ask for a reserved place in heaven, but that’s only for sinners whose sins are forgiven. God Himself can’t have sins in heaven. What would you ask for?
The girl’s mother had a heart full of hatred against John because he found fault with her, and her hatred came out in her answer. Tell the king you want John the Baptist’s head on a platter, she said.
So that was the dancing girl’s request—John the Baptist’s head! The king did not smile when she told him what she wanted. He was very sorry, but he had made a promise, and there were other people sitting there who had heard him tell her that she could choose her reward. What would they think of him if he answered, No? Would he offend those people? Or would he offend God?
Boys and girls, don’t let other people scare you. Jesus is worth more than the entire world! “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)). Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, is forever. What is your choice?
King Herod sent a man with a big sword who beheaded John in prison. The dancing girl got what she asked for. The disciples came and buried John and went and told Jesus.
Is there no hope for King Herod or for that wicked woman? Oh, yes. They could come to Jesus too, since Jesus died for sinners, but I’m afraid they never came. In fact, it was this same Herod who was in Jerusalem when Jesus had been taken prisoner and had to stand before Pilate for questioning. When Pilate heard that Herod was in Jerusalem, he turned Jesus over to Herod to make the decision if He was guilty of death.
King Herod asked Jesus many questions. When Jesus didn’t answer his questions, Herod mocked Him, treated Him badly and sent Him back to Pilate.
We don’t read anywhere in the Bible that King Herod was ever sorry for the way he treated the Lord Jesus. If he had been sorry, he could have been forgiven for mocking the Lord Jesus and treating Him so badly and also for having John the Baptist beheaded. We have a God who loves us and who is ready to forgive, because “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
Are you sorry for your sins? Now is the time to come to God for forgiveness, and it will last forever!
You may read this story for yourself in Matthew 14:6-126But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:6‑12) and Luke 23:6-126When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. 7And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. (Luke 23:6‑12).
ML-12/09/2012