City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

¹⁸ So with many other exhortations he [John] preached good news to the people. ¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, ²⁰ added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
Luke 3:18-20

Reflection

Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, ruled the northern region of Judea as a puppet king under Roman authority during the time of the gospels. He enters the narrative here for the first time, with clear mention of his infamous divorce of his wife (which started a war) and subsequent marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias. John the Baptist openly criticizes Antipas for his immorality and unjust capitulation to evil at the expense of the people he rules. Typical of a person of weak character in a powerful position, Antipas demonstrates both by ordering John to be chained in a dungeon.

John will not be released. We know, according to Matthew and Mark, that Antipas has him beheaded at the behest of Herodias. But Luke omits the details of John’s death, rather emphasizing the prophetic role John plays in laying the foundation of what Jesus came to accomplish. Narratively, John’s imprisonment and resulting absence creates a void that Jesus Himself steps into. As John says in another gospel: “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Application

John stepped into his calling by proclaiming the good news. He also stepped into his calling as he spoke uncomfortable truth to power. And he stepped into his calling as he was led to the dungeon.

A prophetic calling in the Kingdom of God is one of suffering. Speaking about themes such as righteousness/justice, mercy, and humility will be unpopular amongst the spiritual rulers of this world. The threat of death is their greatest weapon, and they used it on John and on Jesus, just as they use it today. Death, however is overcome by the resurrection of Jesus, giving Him supreme authority.

Have you discerned a calling to speak good news? Uncomfortable truth? Lean into it, and prepare for hardship. God is with you, which is a greater blessing than comfort.

Not everyone is called to prophecy, at least not all the time. Do you know anyone else who is bearing hardship because of their commitment to truth? Encourage them. Pray for them. They need it.

Prayer

Father,
Thank You for those whom You have sent to our families, our congregations, and our society to speak the truth. May You give us ears to hear them. May we, Your people, gird them in love, as they suffer for Your Great Name.
May you also sharpen our minds to discern the false prophets and know how to appropriately respond to them.
Amen.