At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:1-12

We return to this story because it’s important to address some of the main characters in it.

Herod did not realize that his stepdaughter would ask for such a cruel punishment for John the Baptist. What he didn’t know was that her mother put her up to it.

The text said Herod was distressed because of his oath and his dinner guests.

He murdered someone to save face.

He, of course, would have to live with that on his conscience (and other atrocities) for the rest of his life. No doubt Jesus would remind him of what he had done to John the Baptist. Herod had to know they were friends and were related.

Between that time and when Jesus would speak to him, what went through his mind. He knew that what he had done was wrong. Once it was done, he couldn’t undo it. What did he do with it?

We run into people all the time who are brazen and arrogant about their sins. Some have committed atrocities worse than Herod and boast about getting away with it.

Still, what do they think about as they lay their heads on their pillows each night?

Does it ever get old?

Do they just get tired of lying to themselves about getting away with these gross injustices?

I’m writing in vague terms but we probably know a few people like this, people who have never had a relationship with God nor do they desire to have one.

If they are on your radar, and you are praying for them, then you have to believe that God will do a work in their lives.

You don’t know how or when or even how long it will take, but trust God to work great things.

He might have to break through layers of barriers to get to the core of the problems.

Even now you are thinking of that person or persons.

Continue to believe that God will work even when you can’t see the progress.