Guido Reni's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist", 1630-1635, Corsini Gallery, Rome. Please notice Salome's expression, not the victory of blood conquest, but that of a used child. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:14-29
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
15 Others said, "He is Elijah."
And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago."
16 But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"
17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally, the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." 23 And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
24 She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the Baptist," she answered.
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
29 On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Jesus called Herod a fox.
A fox - typically live in small family groups, opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey. Jesus loved and forgave all of us. Jesus could see into our hearts and Jesus sees straight into Herod. Unless a fox is killing your livestock, it's a great pleasure to see a fox. Splendid apparel with a shrewd face. Jesus could appreciate Herod, even for his flaws. There are many ruins in Israel today - built by Herod - causing Visitors and Pilgrims to see this for the History this is.
Herod's agenda - push, pull, turn, destroy, harm and abuse for self glory.
The Justice of God - Rolling
There is a cost for this type of behavior. Herod Antipas did forfeit ....his whole kingdom; his small family group included Herodias' brother. Herodias' brother convinced Caesar, after 42 years, Herod Antipas was a failure. Herod Antipas and Herodias were cut off and exiled from Israel.
Herod was indeed the fox Jesus knew him to be. Jesus understood Wisdom of His Word aptly spoken.
This coin of Herod Antipas was carefully created without images to please the Jewish Kingdom, the Bible does not want Kings on Coins. No Images.
We have to fight for the ability to believe. To say - "I have seen the work of God in my life, and I will believe God is present here today." I've also seen in the belief - like Joseph - accepting mercy towards Mary - in the work of belief - God becomes as apparent as the Road to Emmaus.
The Scriptures tell us - the disciples were always halves. Half belief this is God and God alone can do these amazing acts of Life. And then they believed the old life, the old every day, the old disappointments would prevail and this Awe and Wonder of the Lord God and His Majesty - would fade off and they should run for the hills. Just like the Children of Israel in the Exodus.
Herod played his halves and the halves went up against the middle.
And Herodias' daughter? Not heard from again, with world significance - mentioned by Josephus. Except on Wikipedia - Salome. Coin of Salome (daughter of Herodias), queen of Chalcis and Armenia Minor. Seemed to do well. What if she'd asked for freedom for John or literacy programs? Because. There are many, many written messages on the walls of Peter's home.
What we do with our prayers is important too. We cannot hide from the LORD. Sometimes we don't feel like praying for someone, we do it anyway. Sometimes we want something we should not. What can we do but be honest with the LORD. We can always stand amazed at His Grace. Forgiveness.
Jesus - John 21 - lived with so many coincidences and Acts of God the world couldn't contain all the impossibilities proving nothing is impossible with God.
Matthew 13:55
James, Joses, Jude, and Simon as brothers of Jesus
And we know Simon Peter became central in the life of Jesus and His Church. Simeon blessed Jesus, Mary and Joseph when Jesus is presented as an infant in the Temple. And God filling those who seek find - God fills Jesus' need and gave Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross of Jesus on Good Friday.
The name Salome appears in the Bible on Good Friday. Mary Salome was a follower of Jesus who appears briefly in the canonical gospels and in more detail in apocryphal writings. She is named by Mark as present at the crucifixion and as one of the women who found Jesus's tomb empty.
We wonder if Salome - felt sorry for her part in the death of someone all of Judea saw as Holy. God would know. One day we will know.
Abba, Our Holy Father,
We are asking You, Father God, bless the families of this Nation to continue to be blessed by You and rise up to have another Great Awakening of the Holy Spirit for Your Glory. We ask Your Holy Spirit to sweep Awakening to all Nations and Your Children.
Lord Jesus is willing - help us to be willing. In His precious name. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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