Epistles to the Cyberchurch - Su Min

From: Su Min
Subject: Herod rears his nasty head

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, What a joy it is for me to share The Word with you.

TEXT for TODAY

Today we look at Matthew_14:1-12_(See also Mark_6:14-29,_Luke_9:7-9)

The CONTEXT

Jesus began his wandering ministry after he heard that his cousin John the Baptist had been imprisoned. (Matthew_3:12,_Mark_1:12,_Luke_4:14)

By the time documented in Matthew_14:1,_Jesus had been going about his wandering ministry for about a year already: News about Him spread through the countryside. He taught in the synagogues, preached the good news of the kingdom, met the common people, freed the demon possessed, healed every kind of disease and sickness, and had compassion on the people, for they were helpless and unprotected like a lost flock of sheep without a shepherd.

HEROD, ADULTERER

Herod Antipas the Tetrach was ensconced in the palace, busy doing earthly things: wining, dining, dalliancing with Heroditas, his brother's wife and her delectable daughter Salome. Until now, Herod was too busy with things of the flesh to pay attention to the things of the state. But now, reports of the deeds of Jesus began to trickle in. (Matthew_14:1)

Herod had had a problem with John the Baptist.
Herod had jailed John because John was bold enough to point out the adulterous relationship between Herod and Heroditas (Matthew_14:3-4). Herod was afraid of John and would have had him executed. But Herod was also afraid of the public, who respected John (Matthew_14:5) Heroditas managed to force the issue to a grim close by a dazzling dance put on by her daughter (Matthew_14:6-11)

The present day tabloid press might headline this event as "Sex rears its ugly head", for indeed, central to this untimely end to John the Baptist is the unbridles sexual passion and lust: The hots that Herod had for Heroditas.

HEROD THE GUILT-RIDDEN

With John executed, Herod may have expected that He was free to go about his adulterous ways. But guilty conscience strikes him. A prophet wanders about Galilee teaching and performing miracles. Herod realised that a powerful prophet was ministering to the people. Perhaps he made a panicked assumption that this was the ghost of John coming to haunt him. Hence Matthew_14:2_"This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are at work in him"..

Herod was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life (Luke_9:7)

Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him (Luke_9:9)

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEXT

The main thrust of this passage comes in the first half of the next verse: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place (Matthew_14:13a).

Today's passage marks the grim shadow of the cross appearing upon that lonely hill.

Opposition to the work of Jesus was building up.
Jesus did not hide his criticism of the hypocritical scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, teachers of the law and false prophets. They saw Jesus as a threat to their credibility and were angry with him. To add to this, now we have Herod aware of the activities of Jesus, and aware that the prophet before had been troublesome. Herod is looking out for Jesus.

"As soon as you find him report him to me, that I too may go and worship him" said Herod the Great (Matthew_2:8), father of this Herod, Herod Antipas the Tetrach.

Like father, like son.

Herod Antipas the Tetrach also sought to seek Jesus. But also with murderous intent. Worship was far from his mind.

Hence Jesus sensed the need to withdraw from public eye. His work on earth was yet to be completed. He has so much to do. He had to minister to the people. He had to prepare his own disciples to carry on his work at Pentecost and beyond..

THE FIRST LESSON: SEX

The first lesson that strikes me from this passage is that sexual sin is a big trap that ensnares many. Herod Antipas was not the first. Even Solomon fell into that trap...

This is not to say that sexual sin is the biggest sin or sexual sin is the only sin. There are many many others sins. But with a professional interest in "human sexuality" I do recognise the powerful influence that sexual desires have in the lives of most men. Women have been built differently (Praise God). Women are built with an innate hunger for emotion and affection. Women need to be loved.
But in the male, the raw sexual drive is the one that makes physical sexual pleasure very desired by men. The desire for love and the desire for sexual intimacy are met within the bonds of marriage: this is the plan for husband and wife, right from the beginning. But with the first bite of the apple, man has fallen short of God's perfect plan. And sexual sins are very common.

Are they preventable? Yes they are.
Working towards building a good marriage is a task that takes effort and commitment, but is a task that God would want us to undertake.
Do sexual sins absolutely condemn us? No they do not. If we confess our sins they are forgiven.

THE SECOND LESSON: ENCOUNTER

The second lesson that springs out to me from this text is "What is your response when you hear about Jesus?" You have heard about this carpenter.
He preaches a message of repentance, redemption and love.
He has a unique parentage: Son of Man and Son of God.
He loves each one of us so deeply that He surrendered his life for us, dying a painful death on the cross to pay the price for my sins and your sins.
Praise be to God that the encounter does not end on the cross: Because although dead and buried, Jesus rose victorious from the tomb and lives today, seated at the right hand of God the Father: from there to reign forever and ever and ever. Hallelujah!

What is your response when you hear about Jesus?

Or will you come in humble adoration?

Grace peace and love

Su Min

For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min


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