Thy Strong Word — Matthew 14:1-12. Unbelievable mercy to unbelievable sinners: The Bible or a soap opera?

https://kfuo-od.streamguys1.com/recast/thy-strong-word/20220203125259-TSW_Feb_03_2022.mp3
Download Audio File

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 14:1-12.

In Christ there is no darkness, but it does not mean there is no longer any darkness. John the Baptist preached the truth of living a holy life to Herod Antipas and he paid the price. The preaching of the law cuts to the heart for all of us with the purpose of pushing back to the grace of God in Christ. For John he received the wrath of brokenness but he did so in faith. Faith that it was Christ who was the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).” We pray that we not only will proclaim the law in love for others, but that we will receive the law when called out for sin. “Lord God, Your Law shows us our need for You. By Your Holy Spirit, open our hearts to receive this Law, repent, and receive the free forgiveness on account of Christ. Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Matthew 14:1-12

The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,[a] 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Matthew 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother’s wife

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org