WEBVTT 00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:04.200 The scripture reading comes from the book of Matthew chapter 14. 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:11.140 Please follow along on the bulletin or in your own Bible. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:18.240 Starting in verse 1 we read, 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:23.859 At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:26.379 and he said to his servants, 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:31.019 This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead. 00:00:31.780 --> 00:00:35.399 That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him. 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:45.599 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother's wife, 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:48.179 because John had been saying to him, 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:51.099 It is not lawful for you to have her. 00:00:51.100 --> 00:00:58.240 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people because they had held him out to be a prophet. 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:06.599 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:11.319 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.400 Prompted by her mother, she said, 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:19.120 Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:27.840 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:32.280 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:38.659 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:44.819 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it. 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:47.899 And they went and told Jesus, 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:50.379 This is the word of God. 00:01:50.379 --> 00:01:54.579 Great. Thank you, Angie. 00:01:55.519 --> 00:01:57.219 Good morning, Watermark family. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:00.459 It's good to see everyone. 00:02:00.699 --> 00:02:02.379 If you are new, my name is Kevin. 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:08.319 And it's wonderful to be with us again this morning and to look at this passage of Scripture. 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:10.099 Now, maybe before we do that, 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:15.340 Just one kind of family update is, 00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:21.359 Hey, as a church family, we've had quite an unusual season. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:25.340 If you don't know, Henrika, who is on staff, 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:28.400 leads the university ministry. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:31.340 About a month ago, her mother passed away. 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:34.599 She was sick for a long time, for many years in Holland. 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:37.359 And Henrika went back to Holland and was able to see her mom, 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:38.740 which was really good. 00:02:39.260 --> 00:02:41.020 And I think she's coming out of quarantine next week. 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:44.200 And then 10 days ago, Ed, he's one of our elders, 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:48.300 his father passed away after also a lengthy battle with cancer. 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:51.240 And Ed got to spend some good time with his dad. 00:02:51.720 --> 00:02:55.400 And then just this week, Bernard's dad passed away quite unexpectedly. 00:02:55.580 --> 00:02:58.600 And so we've had just a season as a church 00:02:58.600 --> 00:03:01.020 where we've kind of got front row seats 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:06.100 into the fact that this world is broken and full of pain and grief. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:11.039 And the hope of the gospel is that this world is not the final story. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:12.840 This is not the final chapter of our story. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:16.519 We long for a day in which every tear will be wiped away. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:21.000 But we are in this season where many of us are feeling the reality of this. 00:03:21.079 --> 00:03:23.120 And so I wonder if we can just pray together as a family 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:24.900 and just bring our church family before the Lord. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:25.979 Can we do that together? 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:27.219 Let's pray. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:32.199 Father God, we are so grateful that your word describes you 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:33.500 as the God of all comfort, 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:35.780 the Father of all mercies. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:37.680 And we come before you this morning, Lord, 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:42.599 very aware of our need for your mercy and your grace and your comfort. 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:46.740 God, thank you that your grace is not just for salvation. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:50.000 Your grace does not just cover our sins, though it does that. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:54.520 Your grace comes to us both as sinners but also as sufferers. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:58.659 Your grace comes to us in our moments of difficulty and pain. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:02.479 God, in the longing of our hearts, you are there. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:06.319 And God, we really do come before you this morning asking for that. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:09.319 We stand as a family with our family members this morning. 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:11.719 And we ask you, God, come and be in our midst. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:16.399 Holy Spirit, won't you come and open our eyes to freshly experience your grace 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:17.360 and to see you. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:22.040 God, there are probably many of us that are hurting and grieving 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:25.500 and suffering in many ways, ways that we don't know about. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:28.319 God, won't you come to us this morning? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:29.519 Won't you minister to us? 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:31.519 Won't you pour out your Spirit into us? 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.100 Won't you, as Romans 5 says, 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:36.339 pour the love of God into our hearts through the Holy Spirit 00:04:36.339 --> 00:04:37.899 that we may know you, God. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:43.839 Jesus, we thank you that you were a man that walked this broken world. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:48.339 And the Scripture says that you are able to empathize and sympathize 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:50.439 with all of our sufferings because you've been there. 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.420 We're so grateful for that, Lord. 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:56.900 God, we trust you and we love you and we look forward to the day when you return 00:04:56.900 --> 00:04:58.180 and we are with you in glory. 00:04:59.080 --> 00:05:01.620 Until that day, we look to you and we trust in you. 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:04.020 Pray these things in your wonderful name. 00:05:04.640 --> 00:05:04.900 Amen. 00:05:06.020 --> 00:05:06.360 Amen. 00:05:07.340 --> 00:05:13.200 Well, by way of segue, the passage that we read this morning 00:05:13.200 --> 00:05:17.020 is full of brokenness and pain. 00:05:17.019 --> 00:05:20.680 And it's an unusual passage because usually in the Gospels, 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:23.620 the Gospels are kind of all about Jesus, right? 00:05:23.659 --> 00:05:27.939 Everything is front and central about the life, the message, the mission, 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:30.139 the fame, the person of Jesus. 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:32.899 But in the passage that Angie read to us this morning, 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:34.699 Jesus hardly appears at all. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.099 There's a brief reference to him in verse 1, 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:39.279 a brief reference in the end of verse 12. 00:05:39.599 --> 00:05:42.060 But other than that, Jesus doesn't appear at all. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:46.920 And really, the passage we're looking at today is this up close and personal look 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:51.839 at these two guys, John the Baptizer and Herod the Tetrarch. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:59.819 And the big idea of our passage today is don't be like Herod, do be like John. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:02.199 Not really rocket science. 00:06:02.340 --> 00:06:04.300 You don't need a PhD to understand that. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:10.199 Don't be an egotistical, insecure, wicked, selfish guy like Herod. 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:14.099 Don't be God-fearing, God-centered like John, okay? 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:17.360 But of course, there's much more to it than that. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:19.699 If that's all that we came to hear this morning, 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:23.219 that would be the world's shortest sermon and possibly the world's worst sermon 00:06:23.219 --> 00:06:26.819 because the Bible doesn't just tell us to do do's and don'ts. 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:27.680 It gives us more than that. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:32.599 So let's dive in a little more and see what's going on under the surface here. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:37.279 And I've got four things that I think God wants to say to us this morning, okay, 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:37.919 from this passage. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:39.680 So let's dive in. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.980 The first one is this. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:48.019 Unlike Herod, let's be willing to repent at God's word, okay? 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.720 Unlike Herod, let's be willing to repent at God's word. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:54.840 Now, before we dive into that point, let me give the background to the story 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:57.100 because you need to understand what's going on here. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:00.460 Do you remember Herod the Great? 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:02.980 He died around 4 BC. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:07.340 He's the guy when the wise men travel from the east at the birth of Jesus. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:08.599 They come from the east. 00:07:08.739 --> 00:07:11.079 They come to Jerusalem and they say, 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:14.379 we hear a new king is in town, Christ, the king of the Jews. 00:07:15.099 --> 00:07:19.659 Herod says, go and find this baby and tell me where he is so that I too can worship him. 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:23.039 But actually in his mind, he's thinking, let me kill the guy 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:25.500 because Herod doesn't want a rival on the throne. 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:29.240 And so he then hears that he's been tricked by the wise men 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:31.160 and he issues this decree. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:36.879 All baby boys under two years of age born in Bethlehem are to be murdered, killed. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:38.120 Okay, that's Herod the Great. 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:42.439 He had 10 wives, 14 children that we know of. 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:45.759 Many of his wives and his children he had killed and murdered 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.680 because he didn't like them or he was jealous. 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:49.379 So that's Herod the Great. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:53.680 Now, three of... 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.560 Oh, okay, sorry. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.939 So Herod the Great, who's not great at all, 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:59.019 he dies in the year 4 BC. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.319 And when he dies, he wasn't really king. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.780 He was called a client king. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:05.600 In other words, he was under Rome's authority. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.920 He dies and his empire, his territory, 00:08:09.460 --> 00:08:13.019 is split up into three sections and given to three of his sons. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:17.879 Okay, and one of the sons that inherits a portion is called Antipas. 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:20.939 And that's the Herod in our passage that we read about this morning. 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:23.399 He's also known as Herod the Tetrarch. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:24.759 Tetrarch means a quarter 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.599 because he was given a quarter of his father's territory. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:30.839 Okay, so Herod Antipas, one of his 10 sons, 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:33.819 Herod the Tetrarch, is Herod that we read about this morning. 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:37.600 Now, you need to know about two of his brothers, half-brothers, okay? 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:41.939 One is a guy called Aristobulus, something like that, okay? 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.800 And he's not that important, 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:47.640 except that he had a daughter called Herodias, okay? 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:49.420 So we've got, can you see? 00:08:49.640 --> 00:08:50.780 I mean, you're struggling to see, okay? 00:08:51.520 --> 00:08:52.900 So we've got Herod the Tetrarch. 00:08:53.140 --> 00:08:54.940 He's got a half-brother, Aristobulus, 00:08:55.580 --> 00:08:56.960 who has a daughter called Herodias. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:09:01.200 These two have another half-brother called Philip, okay? 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:04.640 Now, Herod in our story, Herod the Tetrarch, 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:10.040 he marries this Arabian princess called Phyllis or something, okay? 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:11.700 The daughter of an Arabian king. 00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:12.680 And they're happily married. 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:18.900 And Philip, their half-brother, marries Aristobulus' daughter, Herodias. 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:20.540 So he marries his niece, okay? 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:22.340 So you've got three brothers, one, two, three. 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:24.379 There's a whole lot of other brothers, but don't worry about them. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:27.540 One brother marries his other brother's daughter. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:32.600 One day, and Tetrarch marries this Arabian princess, 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.160 and they're all happily married. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:39.419 But one day, Herod the Tetrarch goes to visit his brother Philip, 00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:44.699 and he sees his brother's wife, who remembers also his niece, right? 00:09:45.219 --> 00:09:49.539 And he thinks, wow, I wonder what it would be like to be married to her. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:54.179 And she sees him and thinks, he's good-looking. 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.419 I should be married to him. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:59.139 And so they promptly both divorce their spouses. 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:01.860 Tetrarch divorces his Arabian princess. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:08.139 Herodias divorces her uncle, who's also her husband, Philip, ditches him. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:09.659 And they get married. 00:10:09.819 --> 00:10:12.620 And they have a wonderful wedding ceremony in the palace garden. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.639 And you can imagine how awkward it must have been for Philip. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:19.100 Because on one hand, he's the ex-husband of the bride. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:22.720 He's also the bride's uncle, okay, because she's his niece. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:25.480 But he's also the brother of the groom, right? 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:29.320 And so, I mean, him being invited to the wedding banquet must have been very awkward. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.259 But anyway, so that's what's happened. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:34.980 So the one brother has stolen his brother's wife, who's also his niece. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:39.759 And they've divorced their spouses, and they plan to live happily ever after. 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.980 Okay, does that make sense at all? 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.240 You're kind of tracking. 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:45.419 Okay, so the family tree genealogy. 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.519 Now, there's a whole lot more. 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:50.399 This makes Hollywood and Romeo and Juliet seem tame, okay? 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:55.200 They're all marrying their daughters and their uncles and their aunts and nieces and stuff all over the place, okay? 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:57.279 So that's kind of the background. 00:10:58.620 --> 00:11:02.100 Now, coming back to Tetrarch in our passage. 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:12.000 John the Baptist hears about all this, and he sends them a wedding present. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:20.379 Except rather than sending them a red packet with his congratulations, he sends them a note with one word on it. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.899 And the word is, repent. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:25.700 He says, you have done wrong. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:26.960 You shouldn't do this. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.580 You divorced your wife. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:30.120 You divorced your husband. 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:32.660 That's not what God wants for you. 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:36.700 Remember, the Herodians, the Herod family, were Jews. 00:11:37.280 --> 00:11:38.780 They were meant to know God's word. 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.240 They were meant to know God's law. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.960 God's word and law is meant to be written on their heart. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:47.780 They were meant to be a light to the nations, a symbol of hope to the Gentiles. 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:52.639 As rulers, they were meant to establish righteousness and justice in Israel. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.320 And yet, all they've done is establish a scandal. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:01.320 All they've done is, rather than bringing righteousness and justice, they've brought a soap opera to Israel. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:07.560 And John the Baptist knows this, and he says, this is not God's plan for you. 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:09.760 This is not God's plan for our nation. 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:14.920 You should turn from your wicked ways and repent from what you've done. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:18.940 John the Baptist sends this message. 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:26.060 And so before things go from bad to worse, God sends his message, his word of grace, a word of redemption. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:34.879 It's a challenging word, but it's a word that's calling the Herodian family back from their wayward ways to come to return to him. 00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:37.939 But Herod would have none of it. 00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:39.299 Look at verse 3. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:42.779 It says, Herod had seized John and bound him. 00:12:42.839 --> 00:12:46.119 Those are the same words that Matthew is going to use for the arrest of Jesus. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:51.179 And he had him put in prison because of Herodias, his wife. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:56.620 Because John had been saying to him, it's not right that you get married to your brother's wife. 00:12:58.079 --> 00:13:01.819 So John tells this message, say, Herod, you've got to repent. 00:13:02.599 --> 00:13:06.759 Now Matthew tells us that this is the message that John has been saying from the beginning. 00:13:06.959 --> 00:13:07.839 Matthew chapter 3. 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:12.819 John the Baptist arrives in the scene and he says, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:18.319 And just in case we think that John is some crusty old fire and brimstone preacher, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.959 Jesus in chapter 4 says the same thing. 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:25.599 Jesus arrives, Matthew tells us, says, from that time Jesus began to preach and teach, 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:28.939 saying, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:35.539 Now, as modern urban citizens, and many of us here are millennials, 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:39.559 the temptation is to think, come on. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.979 I mean, we're being a bit harsh on Herod now. 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:43.979 I mean, I know he's a bit of a lunatic. 00:13:44.199 --> 00:13:44.939 He's a bit crazy. 00:13:45.359 --> 00:13:47.219 He's a bit insecure and does some crazy things. 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:50.899 But should, I mean, isn't John being a little bit harsh on Herod? 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:56.599 And especially given Herod's very crazy upbringing, his family background. 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:59.699 I mean, just consider his father, right? 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:02.679 His father is Herod the Great, who was not very great at all. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:06.659 His father is the guy who, on hearing that Jesus was born, 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:10.139 decreed that all those children under two years old get killed. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:16.080 Herod the Great is the guy who killed a whole bunch of his wives and his sons 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:18.899 because he was jealous that they would try and steal the throne from him. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:24.220 Herod the Great, on his deathbed in around 4 BC, 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:28.700 he issues a summons to his one son and daughter saying, 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:33.840 when I die, I am so fearful that nobody would mourn my death. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:39.379 I want you to call all of the leading statesmen in Jerusalem to the palace 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:44.720 and have them executed, killed, so that Jerusalem will be a mourning on my death. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.660 Okay, so they'll mourn for those people, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:49.019 but at least Jerusalem will be mourning when I die 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:51.840 because he is so fearful that they would have a party when he died. 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:53.620 But this is Herod the Great, right? 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.980 They're also saying in Jerusalem at the time 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:59.320 that it's better to be one of Herod's pigs than one of his sons. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.860 You've got more chance of living out your days. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.000 And so given that background, 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:06.840 I mean, shouldn't we be a little bit understanding 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:09.720 and sympathetic to Herod Tetrarch, his son? 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:12.000 I mean, who can blame him for being a crazy lunatic 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.019 and chopping off John the Baptist's head? 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.100 I mean, maybe he just needed counseling. 00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:18.620 Maybe he needed a good therapist. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:22.320 And to be honest, counseling is important. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.980 I'm not saying counseling isn't important, 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:27.179 but maybe as 21st century millennials, 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.779 we think if we had organized them a good, 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.440 you know, Sigmund Freud would have a field day with him, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.139 understanding his background. 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:38.320 But no, friends, the Bible's assessment of the human heart 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:40.560 is remarkably penetrating. 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.960 Contra to Sigmund Freud, 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:46.899 the problem with wicked Herod is not just his upbringing, 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.699 it's not just his family background, 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:51.039 it's the wickedness of his heart. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.299 It's his self-centeredness. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:56.039 It's the fact that there's a kingdom in his heart 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.439 called the kingdom of self, 00:15:57.959 --> 00:16:01.759 that he's determined to exalt above all things. 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:04.579 It's his obsession with his own kingdom. 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.240 And scripture's solution for the diseased heart 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:09.860 is not just psychoanalysis. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:12.100 It's not as helpful as that can be. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:14.620 It's that agonizing little word 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.060 that we don't like so much, 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.100 the word repent. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:21.600 The scripture's solution for the wickedness 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.500 of the human heart 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:25.139 is to find the kingdom of self 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.399 and to turn from it 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:28.639 and to come back to God. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:31.379 It's to come to Christ in faith and repentance. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:34.240 It's to turn from the darkness into the light. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.160 And I know that at Watermark, 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:40.639 we often are talking about repentance and faith, right? 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.299 And if you're new to Watermark, 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.100 you might feel like, 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.799 oh my goodness, what's wrong with these guys? 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:46.659 They're just always beating us up, right? 00:16:46.699 --> 00:16:48.019 I mean, just give me a break. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.199 Maybe you think that this is a church 00:16:50.199 --> 00:16:51.699 where we like just cracking the whip 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:52.399 and just telling you, 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.340 repent, you sinner. 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:57.860 But actually, the reason why we do that, 00:16:57.939 --> 00:17:00.220 the reason why scripture talks about it so much 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:02.620 is because when the Bible talks about repentance, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:06.200 it's an invitation to come out of the darkness 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.579 and to come into the light. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:10.179 It's an invitation to come out of slavery 00:17:10.179 --> 00:17:11.799 and to walk into freedom. 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:15.339 It's an invitation to leave a life of death 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.099 and to walk into life. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:20.799 Repentance always feels like death in the moment 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.480 because you've got to humble yourself, 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:26.220 but it always, always leads to life 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.579 and freedom and joy. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.960 We sang about it earlier. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:32.639 We sang about you have broken every chain. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:34.039 There's salvation in your name. 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.099 And that's what the gospel proclaims. 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:38.759 But the way to get to that freedom 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:41.379 is through humbling ourselves 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:43.899 and saying, I am not God, you are God. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.639 I mean, look at these two characters here. 00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.639 Who do you think is more free? 00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:49.819 Right? 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:52.019 I mean, sure, John the Baptist is in prison. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.399 He's got chains around his hand, 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.559 chains around his neck. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.220 Herod's throwing this party. 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:59.000 He's got porters and wine flowing everywhere. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:01.639 He's got beautiful ladies dancing for him. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.060 But who's more free? 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:06.020 Herod looks like he's free, 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.860 but he's a slave. 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:10.140 He's a slave to his desires. 00:18:11.040 --> 00:18:13.300 He sees his stepdaughter, stroked niece, 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.380 dancing in front of him, 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.320 and he can't help himself. 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:17.740 He gives this ridiculous promise. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.820 He says, what do you want? 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.200 I have to half my kingdom. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.040 I'll give it to you. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.920 Anything you name, it's yours. 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:25.500 Herod sees his brother's wife. 00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:26.320 He has the hots for her, 00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:27.259 and he can't help himself. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:29.020 He divorces his princess, 00:18:29.020 --> 00:18:30.360 and he says, I must marry you. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.300 I must sleep with you. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.540 And look at how he's a slave to people's opinions. 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:37.220 He issues this ridiculous decree, 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:39.060 saying, I'll give you whatever you want. 00:18:39.540 --> 00:18:40.900 His stepdaughter, Salome, 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.980 takes him at his word, 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:44.060 and says, I want John the Baptist's head on a platter. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.140 And now he's in an awkward position, 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:48.160 because he said this in front of all the guests. 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:50.160 He's a slave to people's approval. 00:18:50.780 --> 00:18:51.920 He can't back down. 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:53.380 He says, okay, fine. 00:18:53.820 --> 00:18:56.080 And he ends up murdering an innocent man, 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:58.440 all because he's a slave to people's approvals. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.220 And John the Baptist, 00:19:00.820 --> 00:19:01.539 what about him? 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:03.220 Sure, he's in chains. 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:03.940 He's in prison. 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.920 He's enslaved. 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:07.360 He's got a chain around his neck. 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.460 But I tell you, 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.559 he's more free than Herod. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:12.039 He's not a slave to anyone's approval. 00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:14.600 He speaks truth with clarity. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.460 He looks the king in the eye 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.580 and says, what you've done is wrong. 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.279 You need to repent. 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:21.019 Friends, who's more free here? 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:25.940 And so, the scripture's description 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:30.180 is that when Jesus calls us to faith and repentance, 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:33.519 the message of the gospel to turn from our sins 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.740 and to turn to Jesus 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:37.480 is not a word of condemnation. 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.500 It's a word of freedom. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.900 It's an invitation to be whole. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:43.279 It's an invitation to find life. 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.700 You have broken every chain. 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.900 There is freedom in your name. 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:51.120 Listen, Jesus Christ, our living hope. 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.660 Friends, unlike Herod, 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:56.560 let's be willing to listen to God's word of repentance 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:58.140 and turn and run to him. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.580 Okay, that's the first one. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.500 That's the longest one. 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.880 The next three are a little shorter. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.040 Secondly, so firstly, 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.240 unlike Herod, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:09.360 let's be willing to listen to God's word 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.280 and turn to repentance. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.460 Secondly, like John, 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.620 let's be willing to suffer 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.500 for the glory of God's kingdom. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.019 Okay? 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.700 Now, this passage, John 14, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.779 is roughly halfway through Matthew's gospel. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.400 Matthew's gospel is 28 chapters. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.740 We're kind of in the middle. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:27.619 And the first half of Matthew's gospel, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.339 Matthew's constantly presenting Jesus. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.059 Remember, he says, 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.839 this is Jesus. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.920 How are you going to respond? 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.839 Jesus, the great and better David. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.400 Jesus, the great and better Moses. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:38.039 Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.160 How are you going to respond? 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.420 From chapter 14 onwards, 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:43.859 there's a twist, a turn, a pivot, 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:47.219 because Matthew is now preparing us 00:20:47.219 --> 00:20:49.019 for Jesus' death on the cross. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.579 Twice in chapter 16 and 17, 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.559 Jesus is going to tell his disciples, 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:56.079 the Son of Man is going to die on the cross 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.979 and rise again. 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.759 But here in chapter 14, 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:00.219 there's the kind of foreboding, 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:02.459 the dark clouds are starting to come in, 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:04.879 anticipation of the cross. 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:07.340 And in many ways, 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.900 what Matthew wants us to see 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:11.540 is that the story of John the Baptist here 00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:14.380 is going to become the story of Jesus. 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:17.280 And the story of Jesus 00:21:17.280 --> 00:21:19.360 is going to become the story 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:21.540 of all those who trust in Jesus 00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:23.080 and follow him. 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:25.740 Douglas O'Donnell says it like this, 00:21:26.260 --> 00:21:28.240 John's cross, as it were, 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:30.580 points to Jesus' cross, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:34.039 and Jesus' cross points to the cross 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.419 of those who will follow him. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.960 Remember, Jesus said it like this, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.259 he said, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:40.259 if anyone wants to become my disciple, 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:42.379 let him take up his cross and follow me. 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:44.619 For whoever would save his life will lose it, 00:21:44.679 --> 00:21:46.220 but whoever's willing to lose his life 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:48.460 for my sake will find it. 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.720 Imagine how easy it would have been 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.039 for John to keep quiet. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.960 I mean, it's not like Herod summons him 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.899 to his palace and said, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.539 John, tell me, 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:57.159 what do you think about me marrying 00:21:57.160 --> 00:22:01.160 my niece-stroke-sister-in-law-stroke-brother's wife? 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.300 Right, I mean, Herod, 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.240 he didn't have to lie about it. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.680 John could have just kept quiet. 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:07.200 And in doing so, 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.279 he would have kept his head. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:12.340 But John knows that his calling 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:14.779 is to be a man that speaks God's word 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.000 even if it's uncomfortable, 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:18.600 even if it's going to cost him dearly. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.779 John knew that living for the obedience 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.180 and the authority of God 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.580 and the praise of God 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:27.939 sometimes means living with the rejection of man. 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:31.279 Do you remember how the Apostle Paul, 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:32.679 he writes to Timothy. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.579 Timothy's leading, 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.539 he's a young pastor 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:36.379 and leads his church in Ephesus. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.079 It's a bit of an unruly church. 00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.879 And the Apostle Paul could have said, 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.460 listen, Timothy, things are tough. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.319 Just keep your head low. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.879 Don't cause too many ripples. 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:46.159 Just see it through 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.899 and everything will be fine in the end. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.339 He said, no, no, no. 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:50.599 He cuts straight to the chase 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.039 and he says, 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:51.899 Timothy, 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:55.080 anyone who desires to live a godly life 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:55.940 in Christ Jesus 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.620 will face persecution. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:00.160 Friends, that's a scripture worth memorizing. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:03.060 The Apostle Peter says the same thing. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:03.900 He says, 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.060 to be with the Lord means 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.340 becoming like your Lord. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:06.960 He says, 00:23:07.040 --> 00:23:08.400 beloved, do not be surprised 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.620 at the fiery trials 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.680 when it comes upon you 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.440 to test you 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.040 as though something strange 00:23:13.040 --> 00:23:14.019 were happening to you. 00:23:14.560 --> 00:23:16.759 But rejoice insofar as you share 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.780 in Christ's suffering. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.240 Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 5. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.640 He says, 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.500 blessed are you 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.640 when others revile you 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.560 and persecute you 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.740 and utter all kinds of evil 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.440 against you 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.880 falsely on my account. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.420 Rejoice and be glad. 00:23:28.520 --> 00:23:29.780 That's how they treated the prophets 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:32.020 and your reward is great in heaven. 00:23:33.020 --> 00:23:34.640 Friends, this is the Christian life. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.480 This is what it means 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.460 to follow Jesus, 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.420 that we pattern 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.200 our lives after Jesus. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.860 And Jesus showed us 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.759 that the road to glory 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:44.460 passes through Calvary. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.480 And that's true for Jesus, 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.040 but it's true for his followers. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.940 So like John, 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.759 let's be those 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.839 who are willing to suffer 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.240 for God's kingdom. 00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.279 Okay? 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.599 Unlike Herod, 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.859 be willing to repent 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.839 to teach him God's word. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.480 Like John, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.619 let's be willing to suffer 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.299 for God's kingdom. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:00.940 Third thing, 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.359 like John, 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.659 let's be clear 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:05.299 on what success is. 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.059 Okay? 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.240 When you read 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.839 Matthew 14, 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.920 you are straight away 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:14.460 impacted by the contrast 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.460 between Herod, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.539 Herod on the one hand, 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.279 and John the Baptist, 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:17.700 right? 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.380 Herod has got everything 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.140 going for him. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.380 John's got nothing 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.079 going for him. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.420 Okay? 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.340 Just consider this. 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:24.819 Herod is a ruler. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.880 He's not really king. 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.059 He likes to be called king. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.880 He's kind of more like 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.519 a governor or a prince, 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.880 but he thinks he's a king. 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.340 Okay? 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.700 He's got some authority. 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.200 John the Baptist 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.440 is in prison. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.079 Not much authority. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.340 Okay? 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.279 John's under authority. 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.880 Herod has a crown 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.400 on his head, 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.140 so to speak. 00:24:42.780 --> 00:24:44.340 John's got also metal 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:44.820 on his head, 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.960 except it's chains. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.420 Okay? 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.780 He's got a collar 00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:48.460 around his neck. 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.360 No crown for John. 00:24:50.020 --> 00:24:51.060 Herod is feasting 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:51.720 at the banquet. 00:24:52.280 --> 00:24:53.060 More wine, 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.740 10 course meal, 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.880 everything you could want. 00:24:58.520 --> 00:24:58.920 John, 00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.759 remember John, 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.000 the description of John? 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.580 He was in the wilderness 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.680 eating locusts 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.300 and wild honey. 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.080 That was his meal. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:05.920 And now, 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.540 where is John? 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.780 He's in prison. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.140 Okay? 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.740 Not quite the four seasons 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.420 in prison. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.500 I don't even know 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.140 what they fed them. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.140 If they fed them anything, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.180 John's in prison. 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.839 Herod is surrounded 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.619 by the who's who 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.220 of Jerusalem. 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:19.059 All the people 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.900 that you could imagine 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.500 are there. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.140 He's got porters. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.940 He's got slaves. 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.740 He's got servants. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.700 He's got wine. 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.480 He's got everyone there. 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.859 John is in prison 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:30.180 surrounded by jailers 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.259 and prisoners 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.380 and rats. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:32.900 Okay? 00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.660 That's his company. 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.940 And Herod, 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.359 of course, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.279 carries a sword. 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.400 John's head 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:37.960 is firmly 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.200 underneath the sword. 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:40.340 And so, 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:40.900 if you are 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:42.240 a first century citizen 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.840 in Jerusalem, 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.440 who do you want to be? 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.960 Whose life 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.019 do you want? 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.340 Right? 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.299 You pick a name 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.880 out of the hat. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.940 Who's the jackpot? 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.740 Who's the dud? 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.360 Herod's the jackpot. 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.500 John's the dud. 00:25:54.580 --> 00:25:54.799 Right? 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.480 But friends, 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.860 don't believe it 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.400 for a second. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.420 John's outer life. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.660 I mean, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.539 Herod's outer life 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.819 looks like it's all together, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.440 but his inner life 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.700 is wasting away. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.819 And though we don't see it 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.539 in our passage, 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.660 at the end of the story, 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:13.140 the scales are going to be tipped. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.940 Because by the time 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.980 that Matthew's gospel 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.640 is written 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:19.100 and distributed, 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.120 everyone in Israel 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:22.900 knows the sorry end 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.559 to Herod's story. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.000 First, 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.960 remember how Herod 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.860 divorced his princess, 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.019 Arabian princess wife, 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.500 to marry his stepsister 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.180 stroke niece? 00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.160 Well, 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.039 this princess, 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.880 her dad, 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.960 was a little bit upset 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.720 by that decision. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.019 And so he, 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.279 the king of Arabia, 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.320 musters this army together 00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:44.160 and annihilates Herod's army. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.120 He runs in, 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.820 attacks them, 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.980 destroys them. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.840 He's about to kill Herod himself. 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:50.580 And Herod sends some help 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.700 to the emperor in Rome. 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:53.360 The emperor sends some forces 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:55.240 and saves Herod's skin. 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:55.700 Okay? 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.720 So Herod gets out alive, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.799 but only just. 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.360 A few years later, 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.580 his wife Herodias, 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:04.179 she hears that another family member 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:05.899 has been given the title 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:07.720 king by Rome. 00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:09.379 And she wants to be a queen. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:12.279 So she convinces her weak husband, 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.339 Herod Tetrock, 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:15.240 to go to Rome and say, 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:15.779 hey, 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.939 I also want the name king. 00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:19.399 And so Herod marches off to Rome 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.819 and says, 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.679 what about it? 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.619 Why don't you give me the title king? 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:25.139 Rome is already pretty irritated 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.679 with Herod 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:27.139 because he's such a weak leader. 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:29.460 And this presumptuous request 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.500 makes it even worse. 00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:33.180 And so they relegate him 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.580 into exile 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:36.460 in the backwaters of the Roman Empire 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.800 for the rest of his life. 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:40.060 And rather than being king and queen, 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.740 Herod and Herodias 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:43.240 spend the rest of their lives 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.920 and die in the backwaters 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.740 of the Roman Empire 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.300 where nobody hears from them again. 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:47.940 Okay? 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:49.240 And so, 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:51.040 rather than 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:53.840 Herod being lifted up, 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.259 actually, 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.500 John is lifted up 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.019 and where do, 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:57.460 what do you speak about Herod now? 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.799 For the rest of history, 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.359 his name is relegated 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.539 to the history books 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.720 as this weak, 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.460 insecure failure. 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.940 Friends, 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.500 one of the things 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.559 that God wants us to see 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.200 in this passage 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:11.160 is that though Herod 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.859 takes John's head off 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.920 and is there any more literal way 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.319 to silence your critics, 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.359 he could not silence 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.460 the message 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.940 of John's gospel. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.220 Because though John's head 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.299 has been taken off, 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:26.160 his gospel message 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.220 goes forth 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.180 until the ends 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.120 of the earth 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.400 and so even today, 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.960 2,000 years later, 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:34.000 it is still bearing fruit. 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.960 Soren Kigergaard, 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.420 that Danish 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.799 or Swedish philosopher 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.420 said this, 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.240 the tyrant dies 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.680 and his rule ends, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.259 the martyr dies 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.880 and his rule begins. 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.160 Is that not profound? 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.100 Is that not exactly 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:51.000 what we see here? 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.680 Herod's on the throne. 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.019 He dies 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.920 and his rule ends. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.580 John is in prison 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.539 and he's beheaded 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:59.120 but his message 00:28:59.120 --> 00:29:00.580 goes forth forever. 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.860 And so what this means, 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.200 friends, 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.340 is that the good life 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.539 and the successful life 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.039 and the life 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.340 that God is calling us to 00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:09.039 is probably not the life 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:10.259 that the magazines 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.980 and the MTR 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.940 and the billboards 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.620 of Hong Kong 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.860 are going to scream at us. 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.220 The billboards 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.100 are going to tell us 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:17.039 the good life 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.860 looks like this, 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.220 pomp and ceremony 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.779 and lights 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.359 and glitz 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.399 and many servants 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.220 and a big house 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.799 and all the 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:24.460 razz patazz. 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.639 And the scripture tells us 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.799 that the good life 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:30.240 might not involve that at all. 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.559 In fact, 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.299 it might even mean 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.639 walking away from all that. 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.139 The good life 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.539 is the life 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.259 that is centered 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.279 on Christ Jesus, 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.619 trusts him, 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.359 hopes him, 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.759 obeys him, 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.119 gives our life to him. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.099 Friends, 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.079 maybe to live the life 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.960 that God's calling you to, 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.420 you're going to need 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.539 to downscale your life. 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:45.879 You're going to need 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.400 to walk away 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.340 from some of those things. 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:49.020 But that's the life 00:29:49.020 --> 00:29:50.120 that Christ has called us to. 00:29:50.260 --> 00:29:51.720 That's the successful life. 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:54.100 700 years before 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.520 John comes on the scene, 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.120 Isaiah the prophet says, 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.040 there will be a voice 00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:58.920 calling in the wilderness 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.440 saying, 00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.800 prepare the way of the Lord. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.260 And Isaiah says, 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.580 God, 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.520 what is this voice 00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:04.000 going to say? 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.780 What's his message 00:30:04.780 --> 00:30:05.240 going to be? 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.280 Jesus later says, 00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:07.200 this is John the Baptist 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.760 and God responds, 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:10.260 his message will be like this, 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:12.280 all flesh is like grass, 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.260 the beauty is like 00:30:13.260 --> 00:30:14.400 the flower of the field, 00:30:14.780 --> 00:30:15.740 the grass withers, 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.779 the flower dies, 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.740 but the word of the Lord 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.380 endures forever. 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.220 Friends, 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:24.079 just like the grass withers 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.079 and the flowers fade, 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.660 so too do the kingdoms 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.500 of this world. 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:28.680 You know, 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.460 a few years ago, 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.660 a couple of decades ago, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.059 archaeologists found 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.200 in the city of Ephesus 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.440 some graffiti 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:36.220 engraved into a stone 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.079 saying, 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.660 Rome, 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:40.599 your power will never end. 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.440 Sorry to tell you, 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.000 it did. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.480 Friends, 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.860 the kingdoms of this world 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:47.019 are going to come to an end, 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.759 but there is a kingdom 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:50.740 that will last forever and ever. 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.339 And though, 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:53.099 like Daniel chapter 2 tells us, 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.740 it is a small stone 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:56.019 and it looks unimpressive, 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.480 though it is buried 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.900 in a field of ordinariness, 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.019 though it is small 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.079 like a mustard seed, 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.920 though it is hidden 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.579 like yeast 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:04.120 in a batch of flour, 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.160 it is growing, 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:05.839 it is growing, 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.420 it is growing, 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.620 and one day God's kingdom 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.880 will fill the earth 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.940 like the waters cover 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.000 the sea. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.360 Friends, 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.200 like flowers 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.960 in a vase, 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.600 they look good 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.440 for a few days, 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.000 but eventually 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.740 they end up 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.600 on the trash heap. 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.500 Let's be clear 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.580 on what the good life is. 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:22.960 Let's be clear 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.400 on the life 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.640 that Christ has called us to. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.100 It may not be sexy, 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.160 it may not be popular, 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.940 you may not win friends 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.920 and influence people. 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:30.860 Friends, 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:33.500 maybe Jesus will call you 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.799 to make some radical decisions, 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.640 but that's okay, 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.600 you give yourself 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:37.160 to loving, 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:37.680 trusting, 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.539 and obeying Jesus. 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.120 It'll be worth it. 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.640 Let's be clear 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.480 on what the life 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.460 that God has called us to. 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.560 Fourthly and finally, 00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:47.380 unlike Herod, 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.759 let's be clear 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.860 on who Jesus is. 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.120 Now, 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.880 look at verse 1 and 2 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.320 with me. 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:53.560 Now, 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.500 this is a bit confusing 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:56.360 because verses 1 and 2 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.480 actually happen 00:31:57.480 --> 00:32:00.120 way after verses 3 to 11. 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.980 Kind of the main part 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.519 of our story 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.120 we looked at, 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.259 verses 1 and 2 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.820 actually happens afterwards, 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.580 but look at what 00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.640 happens here. 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.780 Verse 1 and 2 00:32:07.780 --> 00:32:08.240 says this, 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.060 At that time, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.160 Herod the Tetrarch 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.320 heard about the fame 00:32:11.320 --> 00:32:11.900 of Jesus, 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.700 and he said to his servants, 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:15.220 This is John the Baptist. 00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:16.640 He's been raised 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.259 from the dead. 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.360 That is why 00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.900 these miraculous powers 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:21.080 are at work in him. 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.120 Okay, 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.380 so later on, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.160 Herod's killed John, 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.640 and he hears 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:28.000 there's this preacher 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.680 on the scene 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.680 that has got 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.460 the same message 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.200 as John the Baptist, 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:31.920 saying repent 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:32.820 for the kingdom of heaven 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:33.740 is at hand. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.380 And he's doing miracles, 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.800 and people are following him, 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.540 and people are going 00:32:37.540 --> 00:32:38.260 out to the wilderness 00:32:38.260 --> 00:32:39.340 to find him, 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.220 and he says, 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.120 Hang on, 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:42.200 this sounds like 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.740 John the Baptist. 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.600 I thought I killed him. 00:32:45.020 --> 00:32:46.100 He must be back 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.700 from the dead 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.500 coming to get 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.620 his revenge on me. 00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:49.760 Josephus, 00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:50.960 the first century historian, 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.760 actually tells us 00:32:51.760 --> 00:32:52.880 that's what Herod believed, 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:54.260 that John had come 00:32:54.260 --> 00:32:55.480 to get revenge on him 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.760 for taking off his head. 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:57.220 Okay, 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:59.200 so Herod's paranoia 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.360 is getting the better 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:00.920 of him. 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:03.300 Later on, 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:05.259 Jesus is arrested, 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.600 and he stands on trial, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.000 and he stands before Herod, 00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:08.980 the same Herod, 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.720 the Tetrarch, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.840 before Herod 00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:11.880 and Pontius Pilate. 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.660 And Luke tells us 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:16.220 that Herod was glad 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.060 to see him, 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:18.360 for he had heard 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.240 about his miracles, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.779 and that he was hoping 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:22.120 to see some miraculous 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:23.600 sign done. 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:27.259 But Jesus just stays quiet. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:30.220 Jesus had an opportunity 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.240 to defend himself. 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.720 Jesus could have done 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.339 some miracle 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:35.119 to prove who he was. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.680 Jesus could have got off, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.200 but Jesus stays silent. 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.740 Do you know why? 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:42.839 Because Jesus didn't just come 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.920 with a message. 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.299 Jesus didn't just come 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.279 to do some miracles 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.539 to entertain the crowds. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:51.359 Jesus didn't just come 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.500 to tell people 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.559 that he is God 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.680 and that they should follow him. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:58.100 Jesus came to die 00:33:58.100 --> 00:33:59.400 on the cross. 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.980 Jesus came to give up 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:03.279 his life as a ransom 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.980 for many. 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.580 Jesus came to take 00:34:06.580 --> 00:34:07.440 upon himself 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.420 the sins of those 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.659 who would recognize him 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.680 and humble themselves 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:12.000 and turn from their 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.000 self-righteousness 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:14.300 and follow him. 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.420 And before Herod 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.180 stands Jesus Christ, 00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:19.159 the Son of God. 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.920 Before Herod stands 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:22.539 the Sovereign Lord, 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.740 the one that Colossians 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.260 tells us, 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:25.359 by whom, 00:34:25.799 --> 00:34:26.399 through whom, 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.519 and for whom 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.539 the whole world 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.059 was made. 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.539 Before Herod 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.319 stands the one 00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:32.659 that Hebrews chapter 1 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.259 tells us, 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:35.139 he upholds the whole universe 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.480 by the word of his power. 00:34:36.899 --> 00:34:38.460 The one who is the very image 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.239 and the radiance 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:40.659 of the glorious God. 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.659 The one who, 00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:42.859 with his word, 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.819 spoke galaxies 00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:45.039 and solar systems 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.819 and universes 00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:46.960 into being. 00:34:47.419 --> 00:34:48.279 Before Herod 00:34:48.279 --> 00:34:49.159 stands this 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.940 sovereign, 00:34:50.359 --> 00:34:51.559 glorious God. 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:53.039 and all Herod 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.539 can see 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.920 is a magician, 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:56.880 an entertainer. 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:58.539 Someone who's maybe 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.559 come to make life 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:00.759 a little bit more 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.320 convenient. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.099 Friends, 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:05.079 to be a Christian, 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.380 you don't need to know 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.320 a lot of things. 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:09.360 You don't even need to know 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.380 everything in the Bible. 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.519 You don't need to know 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.400 Greek and Hebrew 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.199 and have a degree 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:14.940 in theology. 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.059 theology, 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.920 you can even still 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.980 have some questions 00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:19.960 but there are some things 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.780 you do need to know. 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.420 You need to know 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.320 who Jesus is. 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.019 You need to know 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.559 that he is 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.880 the son of God 00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:28.059 who came to take away 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.960 the sins of the world. 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.619 You need to know 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:32.079 that he's the lamb of God 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.039 who was slain 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.460 for our sins 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.880 so that we can be given 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.400 his righteousness instead. 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:38.599 Friends, 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:39.679 you need to be clear 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.599 that Jesus 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.920 didn't come to tell you 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.820 just how to improve 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.280 your life, 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.400 how to make your life 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:44.980 more comfortable. 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.619 He came to call you 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:48.340 from death to life. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.260 You need to know 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.000 that he is 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:52.000 the king of glory, 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:53.160 the hope of glory. 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.760 You need to know 00:35:54.760 --> 00:35:55.500 that he's the one 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.660 who looks you in the eye 00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:57.019 and says, 00:35:57.139 --> 00:35:58.000 come and follow me. 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.440 And yes, 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.160 that may mean 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.160 picking up your cross, 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.139 that may mean 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.900 dying to yourself, 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.980 that may mean suffering 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.700 but Jesus looks you 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:05.079 in the eye 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:05.660 and he says, 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.960 I love you. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.400 I love you enough 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.519 to go to the cross for you. 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:11.039 I love you enough 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:12.160 to die and give up 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.860 my life for you. 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.860 Come and follow me. 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.180 Friends, 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:15.619 you need to know 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.619 that Jesus Christ 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.059 is the one 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:18.180 who describes himself 00:36:18.180 --> 00:36:19.519 as the friend of sinners. 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.119 The one who didn't come 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.539 to condemn you 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:25.240 but to pour out 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:26.059 his love in you. 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:26.880 Friends, 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.480 you need to know 00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.660 that he is the one 00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.660 who will not crush 00:36:29.660 --> 00:36:30.780 a bruised reed 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:31.820 or snuff out 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.720 a smoldering wick. 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:33.900 He will come 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:35.480 and surround you 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.099 with his arms 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:36.860 and draw you 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.480 into his kingdom. 00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:39.139 Friends, 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.960 many people know 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.940 a great many things 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.280 about great many things 00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:42.760 in life. 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.540 You have a PhD in this. 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.300 You may know 00:36:45.300 --> 00:36:46.340 how the economy works, 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:47.420 how to run a business, 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.840 how to grow an enterprise. 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.220 You may know 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:51.340 some amazing 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.519 scientific discovery. 00:36:53.120 --> 00:36:53.880 That's wonderful. 00:36:54.060 --> 00:36:54.980 Praise God for that. 00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.080 But do you know 00:36:56.080 --> 00:36:56.880 who Jesus is? 00:36:57.580 --> 00:36:58.340 Are you clear 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.280 on who Christ is? 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.440 Are you clear 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:01.300 on why he came? 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.260 What he came to do? 00:37:02.700 --> 00:37:03.220 That he died 00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:04.019 on the cross for you 00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.980 to take your sins 00:37:04.980 --> 00:37:05.720 upon himself 00:37:05.720 --> 00:37:06.980 so that he could 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:08.420 give you his righteousness 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:08.960 instead? 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.180 Friends, 00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:11.000 these are the most 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:11.740 important things. 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:13.260 Christ came to us 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.099 in flesh and blood 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:15.099 to show us 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:15.920 what God is like 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.980 so we don't need to guess. 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.320 So we wouldn't need 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.099 to be unclear 00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:19.980 so that we could 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.039 have absolute certainty 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:22.380 on who he is. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:23.700 Friends, 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:24.740 this is the message 00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:25.659 of Matthew 14. 00:37:25.840 --> 00:37:26.840 Don't be like Herod. 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.180 Let's be willing 00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:28.720 to repent 00:37:28.720 --> 00:37:29.539 and follow Jesus. 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:31.380 Let's be like 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.960 John the Baptist 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.500 who's willing 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.000 to suffer 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:34.019 and embrace the cross. 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.860 Let's be like John 00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:36.480 who knows 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.019 what the life 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:38.079 that God has called us to 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:39.799 and unlike Herod, 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.739 let's be clear 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.819 on who Jesus is. 00:37:42.279 --> 00:37:42.960 Let's love him, 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.039 trust him, 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.159 obey him 00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:46.380 and follow him. 00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:47.500 Let's pray. 00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:50.860 Oh Lord Jesus Christ, 00:37:51.319 --> 00:37:52.460 amazing God 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.940 how your word 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:55.460 written 2,000 years ago 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:57.759 which shows us 00:37:57.759 --> 00:37:58.779 these two men 00:37:58.779 --> 00:38:00.219 actually reveals 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:01.199 so much about you. 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:02.840 Christ, 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.239 thank you 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:03.880 that your word 00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:04.880 doesn't just give us 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:05.819 it gives us so much more 00:38:05.819 --> 00:38:07.079 than just do's and don'ts. 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.179 your word 00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:09.299 actually invites us 00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:10.299 into a life 00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:11.639 of life 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:12.779 and light 00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:13.559 and joy 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.380 and freedom. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:15.940 Jesus, 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:17.119 you look us in the eye 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:18.719 and you unashamedly 00:38:18.719 --> 00:38:19.579 call us to 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.519 turn, 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:22.380 to forsake our false idols 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:23.239 and to turn to you 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.119 in faith and repentance. 00:38:25.119 --> 00:38:25.599 But Jesus, 00:38:25.759 --> 00:38:26.940 you call us to life. 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.480 You call us to freedom. 00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:30.619 God, 00:38:30.699 --> 00:38:31.599 help us to respond. 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:34.179 Help us to respond. 00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:34.379 God, 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.119 even now 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:36.519 with the things 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.119 in our life 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:38.039 where it's so tempting 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.819 to hold on 00:38:38.819 --> 00:38:39.839 and to not trust you. 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.239 Oh God, 00:38:41.319 --> 00:38:42.279 we want to 00:38:42.279 --> 00:38:43.619 trust you. 00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.500 We want to turn 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:50.099 from the idols 00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:51.000 in our lives 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.919 that promise us hope 00:38:52.919 --> 00:38:54.239 but only enslave us. 00:38:55.699 --> 00:38:56.619 Come and help us, 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:57.039 we pray. 00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.779 Come and glorify 00:38:59.779 --> 00:39:00.259 your name. 00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:04.860 In your wonderful name 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.340 we pray. 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:06.760 Amen.