The beheading of the prophet, forerunner and baptizer of the Lord, John.

John the Baptist was the first herald of the Kingdom of Christ and the first to suffer for it. Instead of the free air of the desert and huge crowds of people listening to him, he was now surrounded by prison walls: he was imprisoned in the fortress of Herod Antipas. Most of The ministry of John the Baptist took place in the east of the Jordan, in the territory where Antipas reigned. Herod himself heard John preach. The call to repentance trembled the depraved king. “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man... he did many things in obedience to him, and listened to him with pleasure.” John tirelessly denounced the king’s criminal relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife. At one time, Herod tried to break the bonds of sin with which he was entangled, but Herodias managed to prevent this, and then convinced the king to imprison John the Baptist.

The life of John the Baptist was always full of intense work, and therefore the darkness and inaction in captivity weighed heavily on him. Week after week passed, and nothing changed. And then despair and doubt took possession of him. The disciples did not leave him. Having obtained permission to come to the prison, they brought him news about the activities of Jesus and talked about the crowds of people flocking to Him. One thing surprised them: if this new teacher was really the Messiah, why didn’t He free John? How can He allow His faithful messenger to be deprived of his freedom, and perhaps even his life?

Of course, these questions had their effect. John began to have doubts that in any other case would never have occurred to him. Satan rejoiced when he heard the words of these disciples and saw how they wounded the soul of the messenger of the Lord. How often do people who consider themselves friends of another decent person and strive to prove their loyalty to him, in fact turn out to be the most dangerous enemies: instead of strengthening faith, they plunge him into despondency and deprive him of courage.

Like the Savior's disciples, John did not understand the nature of the Kingdom of Christ. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David. But time passed, and the Savior did not claim royal power, and John became more and more perplexed and embarrassed. He reminded the people: the way of the Lord will be prepared when the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled - the mountains and hills must be lowered, the crooked paths must be straightened and the rough paths must become smooth. John expected the mountains and hills of people's pride and self-importance to be overthrown. He indicated that the Messiah, holding a winnowing shovel in His hand, would clear His threshing floor, gather the wheat into the barn, and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. Like the prophet Elijah, in whose spirit and power John came to Israel, he expected the Lord to reveal Himself as God appearing in fire.

In his ministry, John was a fearless denouncer of iniquity in both the upper and lower classes. He dared to point out King Herod's sin directly. John did not value his life while carrying out the work entrusted to him. And now, languishing in prison, he expected that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” would overthrow the oppressor and deliver him and all the poor and suffering. But Jesus seemed content to gather disciples around Himself, heal and teach the people. He ate at the same table with the publicans, and meanwhile the Roman yoke became more and more difficult for Israel every day. Herod and his depraved mistress fulfilled their whims, and the cries of the poor and suffering rose to the heavens.

To the prophet of the desert all this seemed an incomprehensible mystery. There were moments when the whispers of demons oppressed the soul and he was overcome strong fear. Or maybe the long-awaited Liberator has not yet come? What then was the meaning of the message that he was sent to proclaim? John was bitterly disappointed. He expected that the divine message would have the same effect as the law read in the days of Josiah and Ezra (see 1 Chron. 34; Neh. 8:9), that this call would cause deep repentance and turning to the Lord. And for the sake of the success of this mission, he was ready to sacrifice his life. Will this sacrifice be in vain?

John was also upset by the fact that his devoted disciples harbored distrust of Jesus in the depths of their hearts. Had he labored for them in vain? Did he fail to educate them? Is he now deprived of the opportunity to work because of a misunderstood duty? If the promised Deliverer had come and John had fulfilled his purpose, then should not Jesus overthrow the power of the oppressor and free His herald?

But still, John the Baptist’s faith in Christ did not waver. The memories of the voice from heaven and the descending dove, the unblemished purity of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit that descended on John in the presence of the Savior, the writings of the prophets - everything spoke of Jesus of Nazareth being the Promised Messiah.

John did not share his doubts and worries. He decided to send two of his disciples to Jesus, hoping that a conversation with the Savior would strengthen their faith. He himself passionately desired to hear words from Christ addressed to him personally.

The disciples came to Jesus with the question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect something else?”

More recently, John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus, declared: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He stood before me, because He was before me” (John 1:29, 30). And suddenly this question again: “Are you the One who is to come?” What bitterness and disappointment! If John, the faithful forerunner, did not understand the mission of Christ, then what can we expect from the self-seeking crowd?

The Savior did not immediately answer the question. While the disciples stood surprised by His silence, the poor and unfortunate approached Him in the hope of healing. The blind groped their way through the crowd. The sick from all classes - some on their own, others with the help of friends - eagerly pushed their way to Jesus. The voice of the powerful Healer restored hearing to the deaf. The word, the touch of His hand, gave sight to the blind, and they could see God's light, the beauty of nature, the faces of friends and the face of their Deliverer. Jesus healed diseases and cured fevers. The dying heard his voice and rose up, full of health and strength. The paralytic, the demon-possessed, obeyed His Word. Madness left them and they worshiped Him. While He healed, He at the same time instructed people. Poor peasants, workers, whom the rabbis avoided as unclean, crowded around Christ and listened to the words of eternal life from His lips.

So the day passed, during which John’s disciples saw and heard everything. Finally, Jesus called them over and commanded them to tell John what they had witnessed, adding: “Blessed is he who will not be offended because of Me!” (Luke 7:23). The proof of the Divinity of Christ was manifested in special compassion for people in need. His glory was revealed in condescension to our fallen state.

Having returned, the disciples told John everything - and that was enough. John remembered the prophecy about the Messiah: “The Lord has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach release to the captives and the opening of prison to the prisoners, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord...” (Isa. 61:1, 2). What Christ did not only revealed the Messiah in Him, but also showed how His Kingdom was to be established. The same truth was revealed to John as to the prophet Elijah in the desert, when “a great and strong wind came, tearing apart the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord is not in the wind. After the wind there is an earthquake, but the Lord is not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there is fire, but the Lord is not in the fire.” After the fire, the Lord spoke to the prophet in the “still breath of the wind” (1 Kings 19:11, 12). So Jesus had to accomplish His work not in battles, not in overthrowing thrones and kingdoms, but by paving the way to the hearts of people with mercy and self-sacrifice.

The self-denying life of the Baptist was consistent with the principles of the Kingdom of the Messiah. John knew very well how alien all this was to the rules that guided the leaders of Israel. And the fact that for John turned out to be strong evidence of the Divinity of Christ did not convince them. They were expecting their own Messiah, not the One who was promised. John saw that the Savior’s ministry aroused in them only hatred and condemnation. He, the Forerunner, only sipped the cup that Christ had to drink to the bottom.

The Savior’s words: “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me,” contained a gentle reproach to John. This lesson was not lost on him. Now, realizing more clearly the essence of Christ's mission, he submitted to God, no matter what lay ahead of him, life or death, if only to serve the cause to which he was so devoted.

John's messengers left, and then Jesus began to speak to the people about him. The Savior’s heart was overflowing with sympathy and love for His faithful witness, who was languishing in the prison of King Herod. He could not allow people to get the impression that the Lord had forgotten about John or that his faith had wavered in the hour of trial. “What did you go to see in the desert? - he said. “Is it a cane shaken by the wind?”

The tall reeds that grew near the Jordan and swayed with every gust of wind are the most suitable image for the rabbis who criticized and condemned the Baptist. The winds of popular teachings swayed them first one way and then the other. They did not want to humble themselves and accept the message of the Baptist, who searches their hearts. However, fearing the people, they did not dare to openly oppose his ministry. But God's messenger was not so fearful. The crowds that gathered around Christ witnessed John's ministry. They heard his fearless denunciation of sin. John impartially reproached the self-righteous Pharisees, the Sadducee priests, King Herod and his courtiers, nobles and soldiers, tax collectors and peasants. He was not a “shaken reed” that bends under the wind of human praise and prejudice. Imprisoned in prison, he remained as faithful to God, the same champion of truth as he was in the desert when he preached God's message there. In his loyalty to principles he was as solid as a rock.

Jesus continued: “What did you go to see? a person dressed in soft clothes? Those who wear soft garments are in the palaces of kings.” John was called to rebuke the sins and intemperance inherent in that time. His simple attire and selfless life were entirely in keeping with the spirit of his mission. Rich clothes and luxury are not the lot of the servants of God, but those who live “in the palaces of kings”, this is the lot of powerful of the world this one who owns power and wealth. Jesus wanted to draw attention to the contrast between John's clothing and the clothing of the priests and rulers. These dignitaries wore rich clothes and expensive jewelry. They loved to flaunt themselves, to amaze others with their luxury, thus hoping to inspire greater respect for themselves. They craved the admiration of men more than purity of heart, which was valuable in the sight of God. Thus it was discovered that their hearts belonged not to God, but to the kingdom of this world.

“What did you go to see? - said Jesus, - a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For he is the one about whom it is written:

“Behold, I send My angel before You,

Who will prepare Your way before You.”

Truly I say to you, those born of women have not risen greater John Baptist." Announcing the birth of John to Zechariah, the angel said: “He will be great before the Lord” (Luke 1:15). And what does greatness mean from the point of view of Heaven? Nothing to do with what the world considers such: neither wealth, nor position, nor noble birth, nor intelligence, considered in themselves. If a powerful intellect, regardless of its direction, is worthy of respect, then we must give all our respect to Satan, whose intelligence cannot be compared with that of any man. If this gift is perverted and serves for self-gratification, then the greater it is, the greater the curse it becomes. God values ​​moral dignity. Love and chastity are above all for Him. When, before the envoys of the Sanhedrin, before the people and before his disciples, John, keeping a low profile, pointed out to everyone Jesus as the Promised Messiah, he was great in the eyes of God. His unselfish admiration for the service of Christ is the highest example of nobility ever exhibited by man.

After John died, those who heard his testimony about Jesus said: “John did no miracle; but everything that John said about Him was true” (John 10:41). John was not given the power to bring down fire from heaven or raise the dead, as the prophet Elijah did, or stretch out the rod of power in the name of God, as Moses did. He was sent to announce the coming of the Savior and call people to prepare for this event. He fulfilled his mission so accurately that, remembering his words about Jesus, people could confirm: “Everything that John said about Him was true.” And every disciple of Christ is called to bear such testimony about the Lord.

As the herald of the Messiah, John was “more than a prophet.” If the prophets only foresaw the coming of Christ, then John was given the opportunity to see the Savior with his own eyes, hear testimony from heaven about Him as the Messiah, and introduce Him to Israel as the Messenger of God. But Jesus also said, “He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

The Prophet John was the link between the two Testaments. As a representative of God, he pointed out the connection between the law and the prophets and Christian times. He was a ray of light followed by a stream. The Holy Spirit enlightened the mind of John, and he could bring light to his people, but never did a light shine or ever shine on fallen man like that which came from the teachings and life of Jesus itself. People had a vague idea of ​​Christ and His mission, revealed in the types of the sacrificial service. Even John did not fully understand the future incorruptible life gained through the Savior.

John's life was a life of sorrow, and only service brought him joy. His voice was rarely heard anywhere except in the desert. Loneliness became his lot, and he was not destined to see the fruits of his labors. He was deprived of the privilege of being near Christ, in the presence of the Divine power that accompanies a greater light. It was not given to him to see the blind restored to sight, the sick healed, and the dead raised to life. He was deprived of the light that shone in every word of the Savior, which shed glory on the prophetic promises. The least disciple, who saw the mighty works of Jesus and heard His words, had in this sense more advantages than John the Baptist, and therefore such a disciple is said to be greater than John.

Huge crowds listened to John's preaching, and the news about him spread throughout the entire earth. Many were deeply worried about how his imprisonment would end. Yet the blameless life of John and strong love the people were instilled in him with confidence that no violence would be committed.

Herod saw that John was a prophet of God and was determined to free him. But, fearing Herodias, he postponed the execution of this decision.

Herodias knew that she would never directly obtain Herod’s consent to the death of John - and decided to resort to cunning. On the tsar's birthday, a gala reception was held for the courtiers. A grand feast with copious libations was expected. Herod will lose his guard and then do whatever she wants.

The day of the holiday arrived, the king and his courtiers feasted and drank wine, Herodias sent her daughter to the banquet hall to entertain the guests with dancing. Young Salome, being in the prime of her life, captivated everyone present at the feast with her sensual beauty. Usually the ladies of the court did not appear at such celebrations, and Herod began to be praised for the fact that a maiden of very noble birth danced for the entertainment of his guests.

The king was completely drunk. His mind went blank and he lost his head. In front of him was a hall, guests feasting, a table laden with dishes, sparkling wine, burning lamps and a young dancer delighting him. Full of recklessness, he wanted to rise even more in the eyes of his noble guests. With an oath, he promised to give the daughter of Herodias everything she asked for, up to half of his kingdom.

Salome hurried to her mother for advice on what to ask the king. But the answer was already ready: the head of John the Baptist. Salome was unaware of the thirst for revenge that was burning her mother, and was frightened when she heard this, but Herodias’s persistence eventually won, and the girl returned with a monstrous request: “I want you to give me now the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (Mk. 6:25).

Herod was amazed and confused. The noisy fun died down, and an ominous silence reigned among the feasters. The king was overcome with horror at the thought of killing John the Baptist. But the royal word was spoken, and he did not want to show his inconstancy and rashness. The king took an oath to please the guests, and if at least one of them had objected to the fulfillment of this promise, he would have gladly left the prophet alive. His guests might have said something in the prisoner's defense. They came from afar to listen to John's sermon and knew that this man was blameless, that he was a servant of God. But they, although shocked by the girl’s demand, were so drunk that they were unable to express their protest. Not a single voice was heard in defense of the life of the messenger of heaven. These people occupied a high position among their people, they had a huge responsibility, but they drank themselves into complete insensibility. Their heads were spinning from frivolous music and obscene dance, and their consciences fell asleep. By their silence they sentenced the prophet of the Lord to death, thereby satisfying the lustful woman’s thirst for revenge.

Herod waited in vain for someone to free him from his oath; Finally, through force, he gave the order to execute the prophet. Soon John's head was brought to the king and his guests. The lips that honestly warned Herod and called for an end to his sinful life fell silent forever. Never again will his voice be heard calling people to repentance. A night orgy cost the life of one of the greatest prophets.

How often have innocent people become victims of the violent passions of those appointed to be the guardians of justice. He who lifts a cup of intoxicating drink to his lips takes upon himself responsibility for any injustice which he may commit while stupefied by the wine. Having dulled his senses, a person loses the ability to reason calmly and clearly distinguish good from evil. Satan has the opportunity, with the help of such a person, to oppress and destroy the innocent. “Wine is mocking, strong drink is violent; and everyone who is carried away by them is foolish” (Prov. 20:1). Thus, “judgment has retreated... and he who turns away from evil is insulted” (Isa. 59:14, 15). People invested with the power to judge their neighbors commit a crime if they indulge in passions. All who act in the name of the law must themselves obey the law. Such people must be in complete control of themselves. They need to control all their actions and impulses in order to have a clear mind and a keen sense of justice.

The head of John the Baptist was taken to Herodias, and she accepted it with devilish gloating. Having quenched her thirst for revenge, she believed that Herod’s conscience would be calm. But sin did not bring her happiness. Her name disgusted people, and Herod was tormented by remorse more powerfully than the prophet’s warnings. John's teaching has not lost its force. It is destined to have a tremendous influence on all future generations until the end of time.

Herod's sin was always before him. The king constantly tried to drown out the voice of his sick conscience. He still had unshakable faith in John. Herod remembered his life full of self-denial, his deep calls, his sound judgments and advice, and then the circumstances of his death - and did not find peace for himself. Busy with state affairs, receiving honors from people, he smiled and behaved with dignity, and his heart beat anxiously, tormented by the fear that a curse was hanging over him.

Herod was deeply impressed by John's words about the impossibility of hiding anything from God. Herod was convinced that the Lord was omnipresent, that He knew about the feast at court, that He became aware of the order to cut off John’s head, that He saw the rejoicing of Herodias and heard the insults with which she showered the head of her stern accuser. And much of what Herod had once learned from the prophet himself now spoke to his conscience more clearly than the sermon in the desert.

When Herod heard about the accomplishments of Christ, he was shocked. Herod believed that the Lord resurrected John and, having endowed the prophet with even greater power, sent him to expose sin. Constant fear Herod was tormented by retribution. Now he was reaping the consequences of sin that God had spoken of: “Trembling heart, melting eyes, and fainting soul; your life will hang before you, and you will tremble night and day, and you will not be confident in your life; from the trembling of your heart, with which you will be embraced, and from what you will see with your eyes, in the morning you will say: “Oh, that evening would come!” and in the evening you will say: “Oh, that morning would come!”” (Deut. 28:65-67). The sinner is condemned by his own thoughts. There is nothing more painful than remorse, which gives no rest day or night.

For many, the fate of John the Baptist is surrounded by deep mystery. They ask: “Why did he have to languish and die in prison?” The human mind is not capable of comprehending this mystery, but it will never shake our trust in God if we remember that John was a participant in the sufferings of Christ. All followers of Christ will wear the crown of sacrifice. They will certainly not be understood by selfish people, and they will become the target of Satan's most violent attacks. The kingdom of evil exists and is established in order to destroy the very idea of ​​self-sacrifice, and Satan fights any of its manifestations.

Strength of character and high morality accompanied John’s entire life. When a voice was heard in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3), Satan saw this as a threat to his kingdom. The abomination of sin was exposed with such bluntness that people trembled with fear. Many of those who were under the control of Satan have found freedom. Satan tirelessly tried to push John the Baptist away from the path of selfless devotion to God. He was also defeated in his confrontation with Jesus. After vainly tempting Jesus in the desert, Satan became enraged. Now by the death of John he hoped to cause grief to Christ. He could not persuade the Savior to sin, but still made Him suffer.

Jesus did nothing to free His servant. He knew that John would survive this test. The Savior would have gladly come to John and illuminated the darkness of the prison with His presence, but He could not give Himself into the hands of enemies and thereby jeopardize His Own mission. He would willingly release His faithful servant. But John had to drink the cup of martyrdom for the sake of those thousands of people who were to go to death in the coming centuries. And when the followers of Jesus languish in solitary confinement or die by the sword, on the gallows or on the scaffold, when they feel abandoned by God and man, the thought that John the Baptist, whose faithfulness Christ witnessed, experienced the same thing , will support them.

Satan was commanded to cut off earthly life the messenger of God, but the life “hid with Christ in God” could not be taken away by the destroyer (Col. 3:3). Satan rejoiced that he was able to upset Christ, but he did not defeat John. Death only made him forever inaccessible to temptation. And Satan exposed himself in this struggle. In front of the entire Universe, he showed his hatred of God and man.

And although John was not given a miraculous release, he was not abandoned. He was always surrounded sky Angels who revealed to him the prophecies about Christ and the precious promises of the Holy Scriptures. They were his support, and they were to be the same support for God's people throughout the coming centuries. John the Baptist and those who followed him were given the assurance: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

God always leads His people alone possible way- such as people themselves would choose if they saw the end from the beginning and the glory of the goal towards which they are moving as co-workers with God. Neither Enoch, who was taken to heaven, nor Elijah, who ascended there in a chariot of fire, was in any way superior to John the Baptist, who died alone in prison. “It has been given to you for Christ’s sake not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Phil. 1:29). Of all the blessings that Heaven can bestow on men, participation in the sufferings of Christ is the highest expression of trust and the highest honor.

King Herod. After the death of Antipater, power in Judea passed to his eldest son Thessael, and his youngest son Herod ruled Galilee. Soon, the son of Aristobulus II, Antigonus, fled from Rome and, with the help of the Parthians, captured Jerusalem. He cut off the ears of his uncle Hyrcanus II, thereby depriving him of the right to