One Nation Under God
John the Baptist is beheaded because he spoke God’s truth in trying to hold a king accountable to God’s law. The taking of one’s sister in law as one’s wife was not lawful. But even so, the king’s was accountable to God. This accountability existed because King Herod posed himself to be the king of the Jews. Regardless of the fact that he was a puppet of Rome, he was still accountable to God.
King Herod did not like being held accountable but feared God enough not to take action against this critic. But his wife was embarrassed with this public criticism. So she put her husband the king in a compromising situation by inciting seductive incestuous lust after their daughter. By promising the King an eye candy show of strip tease, the daughter got the king to promise to give her anything. At the time the king did not know that meant the head of the prophet John the Baptist.
When the strip tease was over the prophet’s head was delivered. The king must have thought that his headache criticism of the annoying prophet was finally silenced. But then came Jesus. Jesus did not criticize the king directly, but was famed to have accomplished many of the miracles with which John the Baptist was also associated. With the previous thought by the Pharisees that eternal life was achievable through reincarnation, one can see why the king might have thought that John the Baptist had been reincarnated in Jesus. In the Bible:
(Mark 6:14-28 NRSV) King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” {15} But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” {16} But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” {17} For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. {18} For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” {19} And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, {20} for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. {21} But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. {22} When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” {23} And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” {24} She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” {25} Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” {26} The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. {27} Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, {28} brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
The king’s speculation that John the Baptist had been reincarnated gives evidence to the fact that ideas cannot die. The idea that God is right and it doesn’t matter how much money you have, what position you have, or any source of power of authority exists – nothing can be conceived on earth that can stop the truth of God. As long as we claim to be “One Nation under God,” we stand in judgment as well. There will be an accounting over people who are too hopeless or lazy to vote. There will be an accounting over a congress that is so mired in self interest and partisan politics to do what is best for the country. There will be an accounting over our standing as a world power, as our credibility is eroded due to our lack of integrity.
People may die but ideas do not; this is particularly true when those ideas are from the heart of God. God has been playing this game for thousands of years, and one thing that history and the scriptures teaches us is that there is no death of ideas that come from God. In a word, this is “providence.” The ideas I speak of are the morals and character that call us to make the difficult choices in life. And yes, we suffer for those choices. We suffer at the hand of this worldly order. To do the right thing may cost us financially and in popularity. The stress of such seems overwhelming unless we invest our esteem and provision in God and God alone. Do we care more about living in a big home or giving the money that the kingdom of God needs? Do we care more about satisfying our lusts rather than being lied about because we chose not to participate in some drama that would compromise our character? Do we speak the truth in love because it is what God would have us to do even with that risks our rejection by others, or do we hide behind social propriety?
Regardless of how our government excuses itself or whether or not our elected officials profess Christianity as their faith, they are accountable. Just as this accountability existed because King Heard posed himself to be the king of the Jews. Our nation, its people, and our government are accountable regardless of what faith they claim because we are “One Nation under God.” Even if the certain government officials are puppets of special interest groups and lobbyists, they are as accountable as King Heard was.
Dear Lord:
I pray for our nation. I pray that the United States of America not forget it’s faith origins and will reclaim our God ordained character. Help us make the tough decisions for the best of what God is calling us to. Help us to be that One Nation under God.