Can truth be sacrificed on the altar of power, or should power be sacrificed on the altar of truth? This is a dilemma many face in life. King Herod faced the same question—and like most, he chose power over truth. Mesmerized and possessed by his authority, he had neither respect for the truth nor for the truth-teller, John the Baptist. (Matthew 14:1-12)
Herod and Herodias:
As a king with unchecked power, wealth, and influence, Herod lived as he pleased. Morality meant nothing to him. He seduced and married his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, even though she had a teenage daughter, Salome.
John the Baptist – The Voice of Truth:
John, a fearless prophet, stood against Herod’s immorality, condemning his adultery. If leaders disregard God’s law, their wickedness spreads to the people. Herodias, humiliated by public condemnation, sought revenge against John.
Truth in Prison:
Herod imprisoned John, intending to silence him. Though he wanted to kill John, he feared public backlash, as the people revered John as a prophet.
A Birthday Betrayal:
During his grand birthday celebration, Herod entertained guests with feasting and revelry. Salome, Herodias’s daughter, danced before him, pleasing him so much that he made a reckless promise—to grant her anything, even half his kingdom.
A Sinister Request:
Confused, Salome turned to her mother for advice. Herodias, seizing the moment, instructed her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod, trapped by his own words and pride, reluctantly ordered John’s execution. In that gruesome moment, truth was sacrificed for political power, and John’s head was presented on a platter.
The Ultimate Question:
Herod valued his throne over truth. But Jesus declared, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)
Do I worship the Lord, the Truth—or the fleeting powers of this world?