In this section of our passage, we discover that although King Herod had John arrested and imprisoned for calling out his sin, he enjoyed listening to John.
Something about John’s demeanour and message made him attractive, even to those whom he prophesied against. The king must have visited John in prison and realised he liked listening to him during these visits. What John said to the king convinced him that John was a righteous man who deserved to be heard and protected. Therefore, when the king’s new wife, Herodias, wanted to have John killed, the king protected him.
I wonder what about John caused the king to “fear” him and enjoy spending time with him? Perhaps John was a likeable person who was pleasant to be around. However, knowing what we do about John, that he ate locusts and wore clothes of camel hair, he doesn’t sound like a person many would like to spend their time around, let alone
a king.
Maybe John’s message enticed the king. John preached a message of repentance, forgiveness, and hope. This promise of the Good News was so glorious that even the evil king in this story realised there was something unique and valuable about it.
We cannot control how people respond to the Gospel. What we can do is share our stories about the Good News as we have experienced it and trust that God will work in the hearts of those who hear it. We might even sway the hardest hearts of the kings and power figures listening in.
What is the Gospel message you preach with your words and actions? Does John’s story encourage you that God can use anybody to entice others with the Good News of the Gospel?
Reflections by Rev Joe Taylor
