Daily Word - The First Martyr - Matthew 14:1-12

Scripture:
Matthew 14:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
John the Baptist Beheaded
Matthew 14
1 At that time (A) Herod the tetrarch (B) heard the report about Jesus. 2 "This is John the Baptist!" he told his servants. "He has been raised from the dead, and that's why supernatural powers are at work in him." (C)
3 For Herod had arrested John, chained [a] him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, (D) 4 since John had been telling him, "It's not lawful (E) for you to have her!" 5 Though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, since they regarded him as a prophet. (F)
6 But when Herod's birthday celebration came, Herodias' daughter danced before them [b] and pleased Herod. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 And prompted by her mother, she answered, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter!" 9 Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. 10 So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, [c] buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:3 Or bound
Matthew 14:6 Lit danced in the middle
Matthew 14:12 Other mss read body
Cross references:
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 6:14-29; Lk 9:7-9;
Matthew 14:1 : Mk 8:15; Lk 3:19; 13:31; 23:7; Ac 4:27; 12:1; 13:1;
Matthew 14:2 : Mt 16:14; Mk 6:14; Lk 9:7;
Matthew 14:3 : Mt 4:12; 11:2; Jn 3:24;
Matthew 14:4 : Lv 18:16; 20:21;
Matthew 14:5 : Mt 11:9; 21:26;, 46;

Reflection:
What fueled the courage and zeal of the martyrs? They loved God and his truth more than their own lives. Standing for the truth, especially for the gospel can be very costly. Take the prophets. They all suffered abuse and most were martyred. Herod, a somewhat reluctant persecutor, was nonetheless a man with a guilty conscience. When Herod heard the fame of Jesus he supposed that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod was a weak man. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. Are you ready to stand for Jesus and for his truth and righteousness?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord, give me a strong conscience that I may recognize evil for what it is and repent for all the ways in which I may offend you. Help me to choose what is good and to reject what is contrary to your will. And help me to strive for holiness that I may please you in all things (Hebrews 12:14).