The Bible mentions that Herod was somewhat afraid of John the Baptist; why? Because he knew by listening to his words that John was right and he was in the wrong.

The Bible mentions that Herod was somewhat afraid of John the Baptist; why? Because he knew by listening to his words that John was right and he was in the wrong. He could understand what John was preaching about, which somehow did something to him.

However, he is a man to please the people so he can continuously be loved and accepted. He is surrounded by people who praise and elevate him all day, and he likes that more than anything else. Herodias, on the other hand, hates John because she was exposed. She was waiting for an occasion to get rid of John but could not have any of it as a woman.

Herod's probable lust for Salome urged him to promise her anything. The dance had turned his head, and he was in awe of this girl. He acted out of foolishness and out of lust and pride. He spoke out in front of everyone. Herodias seized the occasion to get rid of John. Salome was the conduit. Herod was shocked, but he wanted to please them more than himself. Here, He would be appreciated, respected and feared by giving what was promised. As the ruler, this is what he wants more, so he agrees and has John executed.

His greed, lust and pride were more than his fear of John. The desires and pleasures were more potent than what the words of John meant to him.

How can this relate to us? We are like them at times. Like Herod, we like to be accepted, respected, adored and exalted in any aspect of our lives. So, we surround ourselves with people who will give us what we seek. Many will be telling you what you want to hear so that they can take advantage of it, as Herodias did. We want to exert power over others so they 'bow’ down to us.

Like Herod, we hear and listen to God's word but hardly live up to it. We know what to do, but our pride and reasoning prevent us from doing the right thing and being righteous. So, we remain in our wrongs.

At times, we are like Herodias; we cling to people of power to benefit from them and form their status, powers, and authority. We like to be with “men of God,” “Apostles,” “Prophets,” politicians, and other famous and influential people. We want to benefit from their influence and be amongst the ‘great'. We don't want to be with the lowly. We want to be 'known’ by the great. Even if we have to go out of the right way, we keep these ‘important’ relationships. They are influential people, and we cannot let go of them.

Other times, we are like Salome, using our charm to help others get what they want. So, we use our proximity with people of power and authority so our loved ones can get what they wish through us. We use various seductive ways, now always sexual, to get what we want or what our friends want. So we play the power game, using the words of these people against themselves to get what we want. We want our people to occupy leadership in the church and our own to be given places of prominence. We want the best for them, so we use whatever means of persuasion we might have, using their weakness against them or their pride against them.

They all compromised, went against God's plan, and chose sin over repentance. They decided their ways over God's way because God's way meant giving up on what they liked.

We are often similar even though we profess to be followers of Christ. We will crucify and vilify those who reprove us for our sins and wrongs. We cannot withstand anyone who dares point our sins out. We know better. We get angry instead of listening and repenting. We become like Herodias and seek vengeance, awaiting an occasion to put the ‘enemy’ down. We do not hesitate, even if it’s a pastor. How dare he cross-examine me? How dare he call out my sins? How dare he mingle with my private life!

When we look at the lives of these main actors in this passage, we cannot dismiss the fact by saying they are sinners and don't know God, while we have not rejected God. That is not the point. Just like Herod, we like to listen to the word (read verse 20), but we don't do what has to be done. Knowing God is unimportant if we are not doing what he requires. We are just as guilty as the sinner or the one without God.

What to do? Repent! As John the Baptist would shout. Repent and turn your ways to God's ways. Do what is right; reject what is wrong. The Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail because of Him. Yes! Amen!