Long Arms

Matthew 14:3-12

Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

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Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home
oh mamma i can hear you a crying you're so scared and all alone
hang man is comin down from the gallows and i don't have very long

"Renegade" by Styx

The story of Herod and John the Baptist is notorious in scripture. John is arrested not so much for his subversive activities in the name of the coming Messiah, but because he put his nose in the family business. John said that it was unlawful for Herod to marry his brother Philip's wife. Now, Herod feared the crowds since they thought John a prophet, but Herod could take the abuse from John and the crowds. He even liked verbally sparring with John, but Herodias was not amused.

Well, you know the rest of the story, Herodias' daughter dances for Herod who is greatly amused and that sets the wheels of history into motion. Herod is so overwhelmed he offers her anything up to half of all that is his. A good girl, she asks her mother what to request. There it is, the head of John the Baptist.

Well, rather than shame himself in front of a house full of guests, Herod fulfills his vow to his wife's daughter. John's head comes off.

John was imprisoned. The long arm of the law had caught up with him and his time had come.

There are times in this life when you have to do what is not popular. You have to stand up for what is right and just. If you don't, you end up like a diner at Herod's palace. Or it could be worse, you could be Herodias or her daughter who set the wheels of history in motion. Worse yet, you could be as Herod and set the works in motion through a foolish vow. Again with the foolish vow.

Now mamma's cryin', scared and all alone. But John goes with joy because he knows he has gone for all the right reasons. He is not glad to be taken to the executioner, but he knows he has gone in the name of God. How do we go? In the name of God or in our own words? The hangman's coming, it may be tomorrow or it may not be until the twilight of life, but the long arm will still reach each of us.