Gospel of Matthew - Matthew 14:1-21 - "Faith or Fear; Bond or Free"

Matthew 14 tells the story of a wicked ruler who kills John the Baptist by having him beheaded. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great. He ruled only a fourth of his father's kingdom. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Herod Antipas was as wicked, as cruel and self indulged as his father before him. At some point in John's ministry there is a confrontation between Herod and John, about the sinful act of taking his brother's wife, Herodias. It was unlawful according to the Levitical law, and as a converted Jew it was a sin against God. John would be arrested and thrown into prison for speaking the truth to him. We find Herodias conspiring with her daughter to kill John. Herodias' daughter entices Herod at his birthday party with a dance, and ultimately he rewards her with giving her anything her her heart desires...ultimately this meant the beheading of John the Baptist. Fear and guilt always follow sin and rejection of God's truth.