21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." 23 And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
24 She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the Baptist," she answered.
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Finally the fullness of time for Herodias’ murderous scheming arrived. The occasion for the diabolical deed was Herod’s birthday. A luxurious banquet equipped with all the high officials and prominent citizens was held for the celebration in his honor. The finest of wines and fare were set forth for all to imbibe and feast upon. The party participants now rapidly escalating to fevered high spirits, Herodias deliberately ushers into the room her daughter Salome to “grace” the fete with her dancing – alluring them to win their favor. Charming them with her wily movements in a way that would quickly win their approval, Herod in high spirits recklessly and extravagantly promises her on oath anything she desired up to half his kingdom. Oaths – unfortunately for Herod - were binding. What kind of glassy eyed nincompoop promise was that? Up to half his kingdom for a shimmy - shimmy – seriously, what was he thinking? Obviously, he wasn’t!
Herodias was quick on the scene to advise her clueless daughter what to ask for – the head of John the Baptist on a platter – probably replete with parsley! Satan surely was patting himself on the back. Her hateful vendetta was reaching its fulfillment. Finally, she was getting her dream come true. No more would she be reminded of her indiscretions. She foolishly believed ridding herself of the Baptist would cleanse her. Killing the messenger cleanses no one – just ask King David when you get to heaven.
This request had to have quickly sobered Herod who, Scripture states, was distressed over her entreat. Loose lips sink ships and words hastily and flippantly promised are often regretted. Being careful and wise about our words keeps us from much trouble indeed. We would do well to take heed of what Scripture tells us:
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Prov 10:19 (NIV)
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Prov 21:23 (NIV)
Now that he has opened his big mouth and promised the world – or at least half of it - before his subjects, Herod is obliged to oblige albeit in great distress. Leaders make themselves slaves by coveting the respect their constituents. He immediately, therefore, sends his executioners to do the dirty deed and John the Baptist’s brief yet powerful ministry comes to an abrupt end. In a triumphant entry the head is presented to Herodias and her daughter while in stark contrast the Baptist’s disciples come and lovingly take his body from the prison and place it in a tomb.
Sadly for Herod, Scripture tells us he knew that John the Baptist was a righteous and holy man yet he was too weak in his character to stand up for the Baptist’s support. He lacked the courage to embrace the hard right opting rather for the easy wrong. He feared man more than he feared God – always a big mistake. Those who cling to the worthless idol of man’s approval forfeit grace. Remember Jonah’s earnest prayer from the belly of the great fish:
8 “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8 (NIV)
We also know through Scripture that Jesus did not pay attention to what man thought:
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25 (NIV)
"To the one who fears God, there is no reason to fear anything or anyone else." Beth Moore