Psalms: 69 Meditation Matthew: this is Matthew’s account of the death of John the Baptist. It is Herod Antipas’ birthday and he gives to Herodias’ daughter the head of John the Baptist (at the behest of her mother). When Jesus heard of this He withdrew to a solitary place. The death of John was very …
Tag: John the Baptist
Monday, October 19
Psalm: 9 Meditation Matthew: Jesus has compared Himself to John the Baptist – funny thing: both are found wanting. John is just plain strange –he doesn’t eat much (locusts and wild honey) and doesn’t drink, whereas Jesus is accused of being a “winebibber” and a glutton. As I say, one can’t make everyone happy – …
Friday, October 16
Psalms: 17 Meditation Matthew: John the Baptist sits in prison at King Herod Antipas’ pleasure. When John would die is anybody’s guess, but it was in the king’s power. Since John has time to think about it, he now wonders if Jesus is actually “the One”. He may even have doubted. Earlier John had pointed …
Friday, September 11
Psalms: 54 Meditation Matthew: John the Baptist made no attempt at popularity. Like any prophet worth his salt, John was no fashion-plate either, proclaiming “Repent” – the only thing missing from this caricature was the sandwich board reading: “The end is near.” He was fearless confronting king, Pharisee and priest alike warning even them that …
Saturday, September 5
Psalms: 32 Meditation Mark: As Jesus hangs on the cross He cries out “My God, my God…” in either Aramaic or Hebrew which is mistaken by some as a cry for Elijah. Elijah was to play an important role in the life of John the Baptist. It was a cherished belief that Elijah would return …
Monday, July 27
Psalm: 148 Meditation Mark: This rather grizzly account of the death of John the Baptist typifies how prophets were treated. John the Baptist “spoke truth to power” reminding Herod (Antipas) that it was unlawful for him to take and marry is brother Philip’s wife Herodias. There is no record of divorce between Philip and Herodias. …
Saturday, May 9
Psalm: 139 Meditation Jesus began his public ministry by being baptized by John (the Baptist). Quickly, John acknowledged that rather, he himself should be baptized by Jesus (Matthew 3:13-15). John was later thrown into prison by King Herod (likely grandson of the infamous Herod the Great, slaughterer of young children) and as naturally happens, one’s …
