Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.  His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.  John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Matthew 14:2 – 12

This is one of the most gruesome scenes in the Bible and in history.  And, behold, it has to do with a man of God, a cousin of Jesus, who gave his entire life to calling people to faith.  When in prison he had doubts that Jesus was the Messiah, so, as we have noted earlier, he sent friends to find out if Jesus is the one predicted.  In his answer, Jesus spoke of his healing, not of his Messiahship.  This probably troubled John, we just do not know.

We do know that John was having other problems which centered on his denunciation of the King who was in an adulterous relationship.  For that reason, he was in prison.  Poor John.  The time had come, his cell door opened, Herod’s guards entered his cell and killed him, beheading him horribly.  That ends the earthly life of the one chosen by God to introduce Jesus Christ to the world.  It seems as though suffering goes with being faithful. He must have been 35 or so years old when he was martyred.  He knew what it meant to suffer for righteousness’ sake, that is for sure.

Of course, Jesus was not spared his heavy suffering.  That suffering earned for us freedom from the curse of sin.  John’s suffering is just plain suffering for the truth.  I feel for John.  He is now in glory, of course, praising forever that he had the joy of introducing Jesus Christ to the world as the Lamb of God.  Such reflections help us to endure the hardships that come with following Christ.  No one escapes his or her portion of suffering as we seek to follow Christ with our whole hearts, without wavering.