SATURDAY- 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12: Herod sent and had John beheaded. John’s disciples went off to tell Jesus.

I Reading: Jeremiah 26:11-16.24: The Lord has truly sent me to you to say all these words.

The Messiah’s Forerunner is Murdered:

A Godly vs. an Ungodly Man, Mt 14:1-14

This passage is portrait of a godly vs. an ungodly man. Humanly, the picture shows the ungodly triumphing over the godly, but when we look behind the picture, the truth is seen. The godly is near victor, and the ungodly is the real loser. There is always much to be learned by looking at the godly vs. the ungodly.

1.     John’s mighty works vs. Herod’s guilty conscience (v.1-2)

a.     Herod heard of Jesus’ miracles or works

b.    Herod feared John was risen from the dead

2.     John’s righteous witness vs. Herod’s immoral life (v.3-4)

3.     John’s godly testimony vs. Herod’s worldly and fearful ambition (v.5)

4.     John’s denial of the world vs. Herod’s foolishness and fleshly and freshly lusts (v. 6-8)

a.     Seen in a woman’s shameless dance

b.    Seen in the Herod’s passionate love

c.      Seen in Herod’s weakness and subjection to his wife (cp.v.3)

5.     John’s godly fate vs. Herod’s unholy pride and weakness (v.9)

6.     John’s courageous and vs. Herod’s savage cruelty (v.10-11)

7.     John’s joy and glory vs. Herod’s doom (v.12-14)

a.     John’s disciples buried him

b.    Jesus was told about John’s death: he grieved and retreated, getting all alone

c.      Jesus went forth

1)    With renewed compassion

2)    With renewed ministry

Thought: People are to be told what is lawful and unlawful, right and wrong. No one is above the law.

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