Give me here John Baptist’s head

This narrative describes a horrendous act of spiteful vengeance perpetrated by Herodias, King Herod’s wife. Herodias had been the wife of Herod’s brother Philip, and Herod had taken her for himself. John, in his fearless forthright way, condemned Herod for doing so. Herod, under pressure from Herodias, had him arrested, intending to execute him, but he feared an uproar from the people who thought John was a prophet; therefore he imprisoned him instead. However, Herodias’ desire for vengeance overrode any concerns she might have had about the reaction of the people, and she waited her time to get her way. The opportune time soon arrived. Herod was having a birthday party, and Herodias’ daughter danced for him, and Herod foolishly promised to give her whatever she desired. Prompted by her wicked mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod was shocked and saddened by this request, but rather than lose face with the party attendees, he gave instructions that the deed should be done, and John was executed.

What a sad and ignominious end for such a great servant of God - put to death, not for any great cause, but to satisfy the calculated vengeance of a wicked, immoral woman. But even in such dire circumstances, we must acknowledge that in all of this, the sovereign purposes of God were being fulfilled. John’s time had come to depart the scene, and Herodias was but the instrument used to accomplish God’s intended purpose. It is true as the psalmist wrote, ‘Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee’, Ps. 76. 10.

We also see this principle at work in the death of the Lord Jesus. On the day of Pentecost, Peter addressed the elders of Israel saying ‘Him Christ), being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain’, Acts 2. 23. The sovereign purposes of God were fulfilled in that dreadful act, but the elders of Israel were not absolved from guilt.

May we take comfort from the fact that God’s sovereign purposes for our lives can never be thwarted. We will find great peace by leaving things in His hand.