Key Thought

"Up to no good." My parents and grandparents used that phrase a lot when I was growing up. As I've come to middle adulthood, I like the phrase, too! There are some things, some activities and some places, that are only for those folks who are "up to no good." Our decision to sin and betray our faith occurs when we choose to put ourselves in those places because we know what they're about. Once we're there and involved, it becomes very difficult not to get sucked into the vile activities involved.
The only thing that was greater than Herod's fear of the people was his sinfulness. Bedding his brother's wife, he has his niece/step-daughter perform a lustful dance that arouses his passion and the vilest of instincts among his drunken companions.
Clearly this is a situation where everyone is "up to no good." The results are tragic and horrifying. The despicable way that John's body is desecrated speaks volumes of the decadence and debauchery that have taken over in Herod's world.
The clear lesson for you and me is to avoid the presence of evil and the places where everyone is "up to no good."

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

When Jesus finished teaching with these stories, he left there. Jesus went to the town where he grew up. Jesus taught the people in the synagogue, and the people were amazed. The people said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and this power to do miracles ? This is only the son of the carpenter. And his mother is Mary. His brothers are James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. And all his sisters are here with us. So where does this man get this wisdom and the power to do these things?" And the people refused to accept Jesus. But Jesus said to the people, "Other people give honor to a prophet. But people in that prophet's own town or own home don't give honor to him." The people there did not believe in Jesus. So Jesus did not do many miracles there. At that time Herod, the ruler {of Galilee}, heard the things people said about Jesus. So Herod said to his servants, "This man (Jesus) is really John the Baptizer. He must have risen from death. That is why he is able to do these miracles. " Before this time, Herod had arrested John. Herod had tied John with chains and put him into prison. Herod arrested John because of Herodias. Herodias was the wife of Philip, Herod's brother. Herod arrested John because John told Herod: "It is not right for you to have Herodias." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people. The people believed that John was a prophet. On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his group. Herod was very pleased with her. So Herod promised that he would give her anything she wanted. Herodias told her daughter what to ask for. So she said to Herod, "Give me the head of John the Baptizer here on this plate." King Herod was very sad. But he had promised to give the daughter anything she wanted. And the people eating with Herod had heard his promise. So Herod ordered that the thing she asked be done. He sent men to cut off John's head in the prison. And the men brought John's head on a plate and gave it to the girl. Then thegirl took the head to her mother, Herodias. John's followers came and got his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what happened.

— Matthew 13:53-14:12 (ERV)

Comments on "Deep Darkness":

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