HERODIAS
Mark 6:14-28
Her name is the feminine form of Herod, the title worn by the political rulers during the life and times of Jesus and the apostles. Herod means heroic…but they were far more hellish than heroic. She is the embodiment of the most despicable traits of this despotic ruling family.
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY
1. Herod the Great was king at the time of Jesus’ birth and responsible for the massacre of all the children, up to the age of 2, in Bethlehem [Matthew 2]
2. He married numerous times but toward the ends of his life he became insanely suspicious and murdered member after member of his own family…It is safer to be Herod’s pig than his son… Herodias’ father Aristobulus, was one of the victims
3. She marries her uncle Herod Philip, [half brother to her father] who was not among the political figures but lived as a wealthy, private citizen in Rome and they have a daughter, Salome
4. When Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee and Peraea (east bank of the Jordan) visited Rome, entertained by his half-brother Philip and his wife, Herodias but when Antipas leaves, he takes Herodias and her daughter--divorces his Arabian wife and makes Herodias the new queen… drawing the censure of John the Baptist
5. To finally rid herself of John’s critical voice, Herodias uses her own daughter—sexually provocative dance for the drunken crowd at Herod’s birthday party… he drank too much, lusted too much, and promised too much and Herodias silences her critic—has him beheaded!
APPLICATION:
1. Our background and circumstances may influence who we are but we are responsible for who we become…
a. She came from one of history’s worst families but dysfunctional practices can be stopped
b. Women provide the stability for home and society—if not, the infrastructure crumbles and both will implode, like the twin towers of 9-11 but with greater casualties and destruction
Mae West: When women go wrong, men go right after them.
2. TH: Antipas and Herodias are equally guilty of this marital mess…her ambition to gain a place of political prominence—Philip couldn’t offer it; and it seems to be part of the game to him
a. What price are you willing to pay for your WANTS, even if they are wrong?
b. Amazing fact about SIN—many will forfeit a lifetime of accomplishment and honor for a moment of delusional gratification and then live the rest of their life in misery
3. Tradition holds her accountable for Antipas’ ruin [He was the presiding ruler at trial of Jesus]
a. She’s jealous of her brother Agrippa’s appointment as King and prods Antipas to ask Caligula [Emperor] for the title…charged with treason, banished to France…died in exile and shame!
DIDN’T LIKE WHAT SHE HEARD
1. John the Baptist was recognized as God’s prophet and his word was critical—not lawful—legally, socially or morally [NOT authorized, permitted, proper]
2. John is called to the king’s place overlooking the east side of the Dead Sea…is imprisoned
3. Interesting fact: Herod was puzzled and yet drawn to John’s message [glimmer of hope because he feared and respected John] but the influence of Herodias was too much
4. She hated him and all he stood for because it was in direct opposition to her wants and desires and she knew how to handle Herod in order to get what she wanted!
5. At Antipas’ birthday party, when everyone was well intoxicated, she capitalizes upon Herod’s impulsiveness—knew he couldn’t back down from a public vow…gets John’ head on a platter
APPLICATION:
1. Why do some believe they are above the law—especially those in high political positions?
a. The response of Herod, when the news of Jesus’ miracles and public ministry spread, dredged up those feelings of guilt and fear because of his senseless act of killing John
b. As much as he might have feared the ridicule or laughter of his cronies for not keeping the hasty vow, he now faces an even greater fear because he thinks John has returned from the dead!
c. Bible doesn’t have asterisks beside certain commandments, laws or principles with your name written in the margin saying these apply to everyone else but YOU!
2. To speak the truth, even in love, does not always result in the anticipated or hoped for response
a. People often take message quite personally and if the Pastor seems to get too personal, lookout they hold a grudge and will exact their revenge—just like Herodias
b. Might silence the voice of truth and opposition in order to sin in peace but don’t forget you will one day still have to stand before Almighty God, the great and righteous Judge
3. John 3:19,20--This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
a. John did not want to die, but he was more afraid of defying God than he was of defying man.
b. This is what Jesus wants from all of us…total allegiance and abiding without compromise in Him and His Word
DUBIOUS DISTINCTION…
1. Recognized as one of history’s most wicked women…not exactly legacy you’d like to leave!
2. Her Old Testament counterpart was Jezebel but she exceeds Jezebel in her hatred of God’s servant and managed to kill him [Jezebel died at Elijah’s command, when she was thrown from the balcony by one of her servants]
3. Regardless of how much Antipas respected or feared John and His message—Herodias’ influence was greater
4. Interesting to note his fears but only silence when it came to her—dead conscience and had lost touch with any sensitivity regarding others…it was all about her!
5. ONE POSITIVE NOTE: Herodias went with Antipas to France, even though the Emperor offered to free her to a life of luxury in Agrippa’s palace [ My place was with my husband…]
APPLICATION:
1. Our legacy is constructed from the principles we embrace, priorities we establish and our philosophy for living—these are all indistinguishable from the remembrance of who we are
a. How will your husband, children, friends and neighbors remember you? What say in eulogy?
b. Poem: The Dash
2. Woman takes great pride in the home she creates…more than physical house, includes the atmosphere and environment of love, encouragement, safety and inspiration
a. What a home Herodias created—threw her daughter to proverbial wolves—perversion/murder
b. Is your home a place where young ones are prepared for tomorrow’s world? Older ones find comfort? Unwise ones receive tender guidance? Producers are recharged? Hurt ones healed? Is it the place your family knows they’ll find love and where they belong!
3. Worst of all—she faced judgment and eternity without knowing God’s forgiveness and grace
a. II Cor 5:10,11--For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.
b. Will you listen to the message or try to kill the messenger? Eternal consequences…
Rev 22:12-15--Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
The crime stamped Herod and Herodias with greater infamy than John had given them!
