Herod’s Birthday Present

King Herod fulfilled the request only because his notable guests were present. Was he afraid of appearing weak or proving that his word could not be trusted? Whatever his heart motivation was, he granted her request.

Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. (NASB) Mark 6:27-28

What a gruesome set of events. The order is sent to chop off John’s head from the rest of his body. The deed was done, and the head was brought to the banquet on a platter as if it were to be served to the guests. John’s head was given to Salome who then gave it to her mother.

Herodias and Salome were devious women. The girl appears to have been unashamed. King Herod was not much better since he was willing to murder a righteous and holy man to satisfy a young woman.

Conclusion. What a tragedy! The conflict between darkness and light has been raging. Jesus has been rejected and John is dead. The disciples are on a mission and now Herod wants to meet Jesus. Luke 9:10 tells us that the disciples returned next. The flash back to the events surrounding John’s beheading in the past reveal that the conflict between the darkness and the light is continuing to increase. The conflict is getting worse.

Yes, our world loves darkness. The men of darkness want those who live in the light to live as they do and desire the things they do. That is why one member of the darkness murdered John the Baptist who was light - small “L.” In the gospel of John we are told,

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. (NASB) John 3:19

Jesus was the Light, with a capital “L.” And His light glowed in the darkness and He communicated truth. John was light and Jesus was the Light.

God has asked us to be light - lamps on a hill shining out to others. We have been asked to point those in the darkness to the Light. Are you light in the darkness? We are called light, and we have been asked to walk as light.

. . . for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light . . . (NASB) Eph. 5:8

Those who are followers of Jesus are to be light. Are you telling others about God, or are you just blending in?