Key Passage: Matthew 14:1-12

Topic: Obedience/Discipleship; Christian Living

John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."...He [Herod] sent and had John beheaded in the prison.(Matthew 14:4, 10, ESV)

Cassie Bernall, Rachel Scott--just two of the lives taken in the now-famous Columbine school shooting. They were asked if they would deny God. And when they stood up for Him, they were killed.

That happens in our world every day. In countries like Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, China, North Korea, Vietnam, the Sudan and others, Christians are systematically tortured, imprisoned and executed for their faith in Jesus Christ.

In today's Scripture, we have another story of a martyr. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod for taking a godly stance. Herod had taken his brother' wife as his own. Considering his position of power, most people, regardless of their personal opinion, would simply keep quiet, not wanting to confront Herod.

John understood that there's a greater power than those here on earth. He also understood that there is such thing as right and wrong. Though it was an unpopular stance to take (to say the least), John boldly stood up to tell Herod that it went against God's law for him to marry this woman.

As I said, John was thrown into prison. Herod's wife (also his sister-in-law) plotted to have John killed--and eventually succeeded. Just because John stood up for what was right.

Jesus said that if anyone wanted to be His disciple, they should "count the cost" (Luke 14:28). No one said the Christian life is easy. But it is rewarding. Standing for what's right is tough to do--but the eternal rewards far outweigh the earthly cost.