In the wake of tragedy, it is easy to ask: How did this happen? The cause of John’s death is clearly Herod, and Mark attributes 3 shortcomings to his character: He has misinterpreted the person and work of Jesus Christ. He has neglected his own repentance, and failed to steward the relationships and resources around him according to God’s will. In light of his sinful folly, John the Baptist is dead and his household have added “murder” to their list of sins before God.

Yet even in the horror of his own sin, God’s glory emerges through Herod’s action in John’s simple refrain: “Jesus must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).” With John’s death, his life purpose is now complete and the ministry of Jesus can take its place in human history according to the will of God.

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