A Sticky Situation
Psalm 40:2 states, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock.” At first we think we can handle sin, but then we begin to sink and get caught in its powerful
suction. A power greater than ourselves is needed to free us from its grasp. Matthew 14 begins, “At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead.’” (vv. 1-2) Why did Herod think Jesus was John resurrected? He had killed the Baptist because he was a constant irritation to his lifestyle of sin. First, there is the dilemma of unconfessed sin—“For the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.” (v. 3) Herod talked his bother’s wife Herodias, who was also his niece, into leaving her husband to marry him. This was incest. John was outraged that the ruler of Israel had openly committed such blatant sin. So, Herod put John in prison to get rid of the public confrontation. The constant pressure of being confronted about your sin: there is no rest until it is resolved. Second, there is the desire of unbridled seduction—“The daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod.” (v. 6) Herodias was looking for a way to kill John and be done with it. She told her daughter to ask the king, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” (v. 8) Bitterness must be dealt with through forgiveness, or more sin will result. Third, there is the destruction of unprincipled society—“Because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.” (v. 9) Herod’s conscience was condemning him with guilt, but the need to keep up appearances became a higher priority for him. So, the Baptist had to go. Where are you? Are you standing in the mire of some sin and sinking with every move? Jesus is waiting to lift you out by His power.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
