What Would You Die For?

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”—Matthew 11:11

What would you die for? What truth, what conviction, what subject requires such single heart devotion that you would die for it? Consider for a moment the ministry of John the Baptist. He was the forerunner of Christ, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight’”—Matthew 3:3. He was extreme—eating locusts and wild honey, wearing a garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist (Matthew 3:4). One can almost picture a wild eyed, longhaired, John yelling in the wilderness, calling for people to come to repentance. John was outspoken in the face of hostility. He didn’t spare feelings and refused to be politically correct or tolerant of sin. And it was his zeal that got him into trouble with the ruling authorities.

In Matthew 14, we learn about John’s death and the events that directly precipitated it. Herod Antipas was the Roman ruler over the region where John ministered and had fallen in love with his sister-in-law, Herodias, even though both were married at the time. Herodias divorced her husband, while Herod divorced his wife in order that they could be together. Such a political scandal was not unheard of in the ancient world and Roman leaders were not known as examples of morality. Nevertheless, once Herod and Herodias married, John spoke out against their union, because it was a direct violation of God’s Word (Malachi 2:16). John’s boldness resulted in his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, setting the stage for one of the most disastrous interactions in all of Scripture.

Roman rulers were known to make their birthday’s extravagant and decadent affairs with many Caesar’s declaring their birthday’s national holidays. But for a lesser ruler such as Herod, it was enough to have a huge birthday bash. According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, the party was held in the same place where John was imprisoned (Jewish Antiquities 18.116-119). For entertainment, his pseudo-step-daughter and niece, Salome, danced for them (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22; Jewish Antiquities 18.136). Salome was probably 12 to 14 years of age at the time, and her dance in such a setting would have undoubtedly been quite sensual earning Herod’s approval and promise to give her whatever she wished, even if it meant up to half his kingdom (Mark 6:23). Not knowing what to ask for, she went to her mother to get ideas, which she was all too ready to give. Her response is cold and calculating, “The head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:24). She went back and requested his head to be brought out on a platter. Saddened, Herod sent orders for John’s head because he didn’t want to lose face in front of his party guests (Mark 6:26).

For what reason did John die? Ultimately, John died because he called out sin when he saw it. But specifically he was imprisoned and died defending the sanctity of marriage. Many of us, if we are honest, have thought about dying for our faith at some point in our Christian faith. To testify to the greatness of Christ while giving one’s life is an honor. Very rarely, however, would many of us think to die in a similar manner as John did. John died speaking out against a world that sought to create its own version of truth. He died because he refused to be silenced in the face of a world that could not accept that it was wrong. How many of us would die speaking out in defense of marriage? How many of us would give our lives testifying to the reality and veracity of God’s Word?

John’s life was not a waste. Indeed, he was one for whom the “world was not worthy”—Hebrews 11:38. His testimony in the face of such hostility and injustice is another reminder that this world is not our home and that staying true to God’s Word is more valuable than life itself. There is coming a day when all wrongs will be righted and every single person who has ever lived will receive the due punishment for their choices. Be assured, this world is not the end, it’s the warm up act, the true symphony of everlasting salvation will begin in eternity future. And it will be a greater and more glorious day than our minds can imagine.

So let me revisit the question, “What would you die for?” Would you die for Christ? Would you be willing to stand in the face of gross injustice and cultural compromise as a testimony to Christ? John did and the power of his life echoes across the corridors of time to our ears today. He showed that God was greater than his life. Will you? Amen.