And the character is…Herod the tetrarch!

Matthew 14:1-12
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

This is the same guy who tried to kill Jesus… and failed miserably. He got every baby boy under the age 3 except Jesus. That is the definition of epic fail, in my book. (Not that I don’t appreciate his failure… God works through failures!)

Herod was too chicken to kill John because of what other people would think. Now, this is a perfect example of good peer pressure for a spineless man (you can see my love for Herod). So now this girl makes him, and he gives in and has John the Baptist killed.

As much as I love good peer pressure, we’re going to walk the line and talk about peer pressure today, kids. (Don’t do drugs!) There's good peer pressure and bad peer pressure. If what we want to do is good in God’s eyes, then we should ignore the peer pressure and do it. However, for example, if you really, really want that dress that you know is way too low cut, and all your Christian friends tell you not to wear it, and you’re remembering verses about modesty, listen to the peer pressure.

Jonah (It’s Jonah week!) could have used some good peer pressure. He was doing what he wanted to do, instead of what God wanted from him. In essence, Jonah was wearing a low cut dress (providing more sin that just immodesty…).

So what did we learn today?
1. Herod was giving into good peer pressure, and then he gave into bad peer pressure.
2. Jonah had no peer pressure, but he was doing what he knew was the wrong thing.
3. Don’t do drugs.

So next week’s character:
-led an idolatrous, superstitious group of men
-faced a nasty storm
-told a traveling
And the book… we’re in Jonah Week, so it’s in the Book of Jonah.

Have a great day in the world God created for us!
In His Service,
Joyce