The Death of John the Baptist

The Death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14.1-12

Imagine a movie set in a desert. The plot requires that the hero should travel across barren, dusty country for several days, somehow surviving not only the heat and drought but also the attacks of predators.

At the very beginning of the journey, we see a shadow crossing the ground in front of him. We look up and see a huge bird of prey, swooping down as though to attack him. He escapes, but from time to time, as the journey goes on, we see the shadow again and know that danger is not far away. The traveller is not the only one making the journey. Ahead of him is a friend who has gone on to try to find the way. Suddenly, in the middle of the journey, we see the shadow again, getting bigger and bigger; the predator is coming in for the attack. But the object of the attack is the friend who’s gone on ahead. He has ventured too deep into the bird’s territory, and pays the ultimate price. As the awful scene recedes, we return to the hero, knowing now only too well what may lie ahead for him as well...

Taken from Matthew for Everyone – by Tom Wright