Matthew 14 1 -12 It is Not Lawful

Matthew 14: 1 -12 It is Not Lawful

Herod Antipas • Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea • “Fox”, Lk 13: 32 • Embodied lust for power and pleasure at the expense of truth justice and life 2

Herod’s Fears Afraid of Jesus, Matt 14: 1 -2; Lk 9: 7 - 9; 13: 31 Acknowledged His powers but misinterpreted and was not persuaded Perplexed, thinking Jesus was John! Herod was wayside soil, Matt 13: 4, 19 3

Herod’s Fears Afraid of the multitude, Matt 14: 5 They held John to be a prophet (Matt 21: 26) To secure power, Herod did not kill John (political strategy) 4

Herod’s Fears Afraid of John, Mark 6: 20 John rebuked sin and commanded repentance, Matt 3: 2; Lk 3: 1 -3, 7 -8 John made personal application: John rebuked Herod’s sin and commanded him to repent, Matt 14: 3 -5 (Mk 6: 18) Imprisoned John although he wanted to kill him (and protect him at the same time!), Matt 14: 5 5

Herod’s Fears Afraid of people around him, Matt 14: 9 Herodias, Mark 6: 19 -20 When faced with a moral decision he selfishly chose to please Herodias and his guests Pride and opportunity: Oath and pleasing others was his excuse, Matt 14: 7, 9 6

Herod Failed to Fear Not afraid of sinning against God Lust, adultery and unlawful remarriage, Matt 14: 3 -4; Mark 6: 17 -18 ▪ Lusted for Herodias, Matt 5: 28 ▪ Both left spouses to marry each other! ▪ Guard your heart! Prov 4: 23 7

“Married Crush? ” “Can you love your husband Brad Pitt too? ” “Thumbing through the pages, I went directly to the “Family Matters” column to see what the culture was teaching these days. The title? “Why You can Love Your Husband Brad Pitt Too. ” I turned back to the cover to make sure I had not inadvertently picked up Cosmopolitan or The National Inquirer. Nope it was a magazine for families — targeted at wives and mothers. 8

“Married Crush? ” “This is some of what the author had to say. “Last spring I found myself applying a pretty shade of pink lipstick before heading off to the nursery to buy annuals. Why the fuss? I hoped to run into the handsome gentleman who worked there. According to experts, married crushes are natural and common. As long as you don’t let them develop into full blown fantasies or consider acting upon them, these minor attractions can actually help you appreciate your spouse more. 9

“Married Crush? ” “Infatuations offer a safe break from the marital routine. Everyday life is a bit humdrum, making it hard to maintain a passionate connection all the time. ” “Looking at another man with a flirtatious eye is such a serious offense that Jesus went on to say, “If you right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. ” (Matthew 5: 28). 10

“Married Crush? ” “The truth is, I’ve never know one woman who had an affair which did not begin with a toying glance or flirtatious “innocent” bantering. “Every sin begins with a thought and every spiritual battle is won or lost at the threshold of the mind. ” Sharon Jaynes “Can You Love Your Husband Brad Pitt Too? ” growthtrac. com 11

Herod Failed to Fear Not afraid of sinning against God Lustful revelry, Matt 14: 6 -7 (Mk 6: 21 -23) ▪ What kind of parties do you attend? Murder, Matt 14: 8 -10 (Herodias, Mk 6: 19) ▪ Do you hold hatred in your heart? 1 Jno 3: 14 -15 12

Herod Failed to Fear Not afraid of hardening his heart against the truth, Mk 6: 20 (Matt 13: 14 -15; 15: 7 -9) John was just and holy Herod heard John, but no conviction (Acts 24: 25 -26) Why and how do you listen to gospel preaching? Ezek 33: 30 -33 13

Herod Failed to Fear Not afraid of making rash vows, Matt 14: 7 -9 Tongue control may mean retracting our words, Jas 3: 10 Pride, selfishness and peer pressure prevent the humble repentance of rash words 14

Herod Failed to Fear Not afraid of God The power of God, Matt 14: 1 -2 (Mk 6: 14); Luke 23: 8 The word of God, Matt 14: 4 -5 The judgment of God, Matt 14: 10; Luke 23: 11 15

Beware of the Leaven of Herod Mark 8: 15 (Matt 16: 6, 12) Irreligious, sensual and corrupt living By his conduct, Herod left an influence that said marriage is not for life, Matt 19: 4 -6 “Divorce is an option” (cf. Renewable marriage contracts) “It is not lawful”, cf. Mk 6: 17 -18 with Rom 7: 2 -3 16

Marriage is for Life ROMANS 7: 2 -3 MARK 6: 17 -18 2 For the woman who 17 For Herod himself has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 17

Marriage is for Life ROMANS 7: 2 -3 3 So then if, while her MARK 6: 17 -18 18 Because John had husband lives, she marries said to Herod, "It is not ia you Herodfors to have another man, she od and lawful Her will be called an adulteress; uiltif of adultery wife. " but y your brother's g wereshe is her husband dies, arriage! m in so that free from that law, their she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 18

Beware of the Leaven of Herod Mark 8: 15 (Matt 16: 6, 12) Irreligious, sensual and corrupt living By his conduct, Herod left an influence that said worldliness is acceptable, Matt 14: 6 (Mk 6: 22) 1 Jno 2: 15 -17; 1 Pet 4: 2 -3; Rom 13: 11 -14 Sensual indulgence viewed as “fun” and “harmless” is of the world! 19

Beware of the Leaven of Herod Mark 8: 15 (Matt 16: 6, 12) Irreligious, sensual and corrupt living By his conduct, Herod left an influence that said expediency overrides morality Situation ethics Caiaphas, Jno 11: 49 -50, 53 Pilate, Matt 27: 22 -24 Do we manipulate people for our personal advantage? 20

John Lost His Head He dared to condemn adultery A rash vow A dancing daughter 21

How People React to Truth Courageous conviction without compromise Perplexed and dismissive Unbelief Unrepentant rejection Vindictive vengeance 22