The Life & Times Of John The Baptist Series

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Mark 6:14-29

In recent years a new word has entered our vernacular, I am referring to the term GOAT.I am not speaking of a temperamental little animal; I am referring to an acronym for “The Greatest Of All Time”. In a conversation concerning the greatest football player of all time you will hear names like: Dick Butkus, Joe Montana, Walter Peyton, Randy Moss,Brett Favre, and Tom Brady among others. When it comes to baseball you will hear names like: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Cy Young, Hank Aaron, and Peter Rose. When discussing the greatest American President in History, people will mention men like: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

When these debates begin it is rare for two or more people to agree on who truly is the greatest. But when Jesus Christ refers to someone as the “greatest”, then we must pay attention. That is exactly what He said concerning John The Baptist. (Matthew 11:11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist”)

With an endorsement like that, it is important for us to take some time and examine the life of this great man. In our selected text, Mark references a time when King Herod came to the conclusion that John had risen from the dead. This was especially concerning to him since he was the one who had John put to death. I would like examine the biography of this great prophet of God and preach on “The Life & Times Of John The Baptist”.

Recently Jesus had sent out His twelve Disciples in pairs to go and preach in Galilee. He empowered them to heal the sick, to cast out demons and even to raise the dead. However, their primary purpose was to go and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. These men were obedient to their calling and verse 12 tells us that “they went out and preached that people should repent.” It appears that these men had great success in spreading the message of Jesus Christ. So much so that word reached Herod concerning Jesus. (v14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.)

It is important for us to understand just who King Herod was. Herod Antipas was a regional Monarch; He was the son of Herod the Great. Herod the Great was the king when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1) He ruled Israel for 36 years. During this time he greatly enlarged the Temple. So much so that The Second Temple is often referred to as “Herod’s Temple”.It was Herod the Great who slaughtered the male babies of Bethlehem in an attempt to kill Jesus. (Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.)

When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided among several of his sons. One of those sons was Herod Antipas. The territory that included Galilee & Perea belonged to Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas reigned for 42 years. Because of his position, Herod had the power to exercise capital punishment; and a certain chain of events led to Him having John the Baptist beheaded.

When Herod heard of the mighty works of Jesus, he feared that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. (v14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.")

Herod was not the only one who came to this conclusion. (Mark 8:27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" 28 So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.")

Herod did not know it, but the One who was doing such mighty works among the people was actually someone far greater than John. It was the one of whom John had said “He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose." (John 1:27)As great as John was, Jesus said “I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish--the very works that I do--bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.” (John 5:36) As we consider The Life & Times Of John The Baptist” let us begin by examining his birth.