Who Ruined Herod's Birthday Party?

By Mary Vee
Mark 6

From Herod's Journal 

What remains of one of Herod's palaces - Israel
photo by Mary Vee

My name is Herod. I am a king and rule from Jerusalem. I'm not a Jew, but have been given this position from my connections in Rome.

I have heard of a man who is gaining a lot of attention in Israel. He travels through the cities and villages with his disciples healing the sick, performing miracles, and teaching about God in Heaven.

We've had many men rise up and gather followers. They usually want political power. Most of the time these groups die out, and I don't have to worry about them. If they gain too many followers, I send my army to squash them. 

This new man that has gathered many followers and has become well known in the land, is a mystery. His name is Jesus.

I called my counsel together. "Tell me about this man who has risen to such popularity."

The counsel answered, "Some say he is John the Baptist raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."

Others said, "He is Elijah."

And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."

Their words upset me. "John has been raised from the dead! I beheaded John. Who then, is this man I'm hearing about?"

From that moment on I wanted to see this man called Jesus and know for myself who he really was.

I remember the day I beheaded John the Baptist. I gave orders to have him arrested. Had him bound and put in prison. I had to. I had to. John the Baptist created such a stir. He came to my palace and had the nerve to say I had done something unlawful. Well, I did. I had my brother Philip killed so that I would be king then I married his wife, Herodias. But I am king and can do as I wish.

Herodias heard about John the Baptist's accusations. From that moment on she carried a grudge so vehemately she wanted him killed. I couldn't let her do that. This man made me nervous. He said things with such authority. I protected him. I had to, he was a righteous and holy man.

Every time this man spoke his words puzzled me, yet I couldn't resist hearing what he had to say. 

One year I gave a banquet and invited my high officials, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee to celebrate my birthday. The food poured out of the kitchens. The hall decorated in all the best. Everyone had a wonderful time. At the end of the meal, I ordered the entertainment to begin.

Herodias' daughter entered the room. The music began. The next several moments voices stilled. Her dance thoroughly pleased me and my dinner guests.

I had to reward her. "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you. Whatever you ask I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom."

"I need a moment." She met her mother at the doorway and spoke with her then returned. "I would like you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter."

I never expected her to say that. Had I known, I would have pharased my reward differently. Her request upset me terribly, but I had to honor it. I had said I would give what she asked in front of all my guests. My word must be honorable. 

My smile and pleasure in her dance had long left. I inhaled deeply and did the only thing I could. I called for an executioner to go to the prison where John had been safely protected. "Bring me back the head of John the Baptist.

The man left the room. Any celebration after that point was pure show. Happiness had completely left me. 

The executioner left the hall, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back John's head on a platter. He presented it to Herodias' daughter. She accepted the platter and took it to her mother.

John's disciples came later that evening requesting his body for burial. I, of course, had it given to them.

In the next days I wanted to find out who this Jesus really was.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus Confirms Who John the Baptist Is

By Mary Vee
Matthew 11, Luke 7

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus led us southwest from the Galilee area. While visiting villages along the way, we had a surprise visit from a few of John the Baptist's disciples. They had a question for Jesus. Rather than answer them with words, He showed them proof that He is the Son of God come to do the will of His heavenly father.

John's disciples stayed with us a few days. They watched, marveled, then left to take their report back to John.

Many people had gathered around Jesus, anxious and excited to hear more of what He had to say and show. Jesus asked for the crowds attention. Everyone knew that John the Baptist preached to those who heard him in the desert. What they might not have known is what Jesus said about John. "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes?"

The people smiled at that question. Anyone who saw John knew he wore clothes made from camel's hair. Hardly fine clothing.

"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. These words have been written about John:

I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Jesus said, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. If you are willing to accept this, John is the Elijah who was to come. Those among you who have ears, let them hear." 

See, all the people, even the tax collectors said they agreed that God's way was right after hearing what Jesus said. This was because they had been baptized by John. 

But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.

Jesus said, "John the Baptist didn't come eating fancy breads and wines yet you say John has a demon. I say, the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children."

From there Jesus walked on a ways.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

John the Baptist's Big Question

By Mary Vee
Matthew 11, Luke 7

From one of John the Baptist's Disciple's Journals 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

I am a disciple of John the Baptizer. I have been following him for some time. He has told those who listened to his words to prepare yourself. The Promised One is coming. 

As Jews, we'd waited such a long time for the Messiah to come. Never before had one spoken so strongly as John the Baptizer about the Promised One coming. 

We wondered if the One we should be looking for was here already. Somewhere in the country. If this was so, I didn't want to miss meeting Him.

I had witnessed the man named Jesus doing great miracles. He'd healed a centurion's slave. He raised a widow's son back to life.  John hadn't seen these events. He worked night and day preaching and teaching about the coming promised one.

This morning I and another disciple of John went to the prophet. "John, we have witnessed a man performing great miracles. Only recently, a funeral procession walked out the Nain city gates just as this man and the crowd following him happened by. Jesus, that was the man's name, was so taken by the widow that he stopped the procession and said to the her son, "Young man, get up!" Before our eyes the widow's son breathed and color returned to his face as he sat up."

John listened to us tell what we'd witness. "You say his name is Jesus?"

"Yes."

He stroke his beard and gazed off to the side before looking back at us. "I have a task for you two."

"We'll do anything you ask."

"Good. Go to the man called, Jesus and ask him if he is the one who was to come or should we expect someone else?"

We gathered our staffs and set off right away to where we'd last seen Jesus. By mid morning we found him and requested an opportunity to speak with him. His disciples introduced us. "These are disciples of John the Baptizer. They have a message."

Jesus welcomed us. He had a compassionate look in his eyes. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he already knew what we were going to ask. "Yes?" 

We bowed in respect as anyone would before a rabbi or prophet. "John the Baptizer has sent us to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"

He didn't answer right away. Instead he allowed us to stay near him. "Come." That day he walked through the villages among the people, listening to them, answering their questions. 

To those who were sick, he healed their diseases and sicknesses. 

To those who brought loved ones with evil spirits he freed them. 

To those who were blind, he restored their sight. 

To those who could not walk, he brought strength to their legs so they could walk again. 

For those who had leprosy he healed their skin and rid their body of the disease. 

To those who were deaf, he restored their hearing. 

He visited the homes of those who had died and brought them back to life. 

He preached the good news of God's love and forgiveness to the poor. 

After spending a few days with Jesus, he said to the other messenger and me, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard. Blessed is the man who does not fall away from believing in the Father because of me."

And so we did. I must admit we were very excited to tell John what we'd seen. So excited that as we neared him, we shouted, "John. John the Baptizer. We have news!"

He stopped his work and waited for us to run to him. We were so out of breathe from running. We were so excited to tell him the news. We laughed at our own babbling words! 

But John the Baptizer waited for us to speak. He sat down as we told him all we'd seen. Everyone who had come to hear the prophet, John's words that day listened to our witness of what Jesus had said and done.

It was then I knew, He is the One. 
Jesus. He is the Promised One. 
Of this I am more than sure. 
And believe.


Just like that, the news of what happened spread through all of Judea and the surrounding country about Jesus and all He had done. 

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.