The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-12-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON JANUARY 6-JOFN
THE BAPTIST BEHEADED.

Catalan Text: Fear Not Them Which
Kill tho Body, But Are Not Able to
XIII the Soul-Matt. N:"S-Nark VI:
1879.
Introductory. -The ruler of Galilec
was Herod Antipas, one of the sons OF
Herod the Great 'From the first he
was light-minded, unreliable, prodl-
gal, and luxurious prince; hence also
he proved supcrstitious and cunnlfg'
and on certain occas ons utterly heart
less crnel and callous. '-Lange.
John was the son of priest, Zach
arias. and of Elizabeth, and V3as born
probably in or near Hebron, in the
summer of B. C. 5. He was at TINS
time about 30 years old. He was
Nazarite, pledged to drink no wine or
strong drink, and to let his hair and
beard grow untrimmed as sign OF
conservation to God. His life, up to
30 years of age, was passed in the will
derness of Judea, where he was pre-
pared for his great mission as fore
runner of the Messiah. John was I'M
prisoned in March or April, A. D. 70.
He was beheaded a year later, Jesus
was in Galilee with his disciples.
John was imprisoned and put to
death at Macherus, strong castle at
the southern extremity Of Perea.
|. The Martyr Prisoner-vers. II,
Is. II. "Herod himself" not led on
by the Pharisees, but for personals
reasons. Bound him in prison. "
Macherus was a delightful summer.
residence for the rulers as we'll as
strong fortress on the frontier. "For
Herodlas' sake" The crime OF Herod
was on account Of Hcrodias and
Herodias wanted John put out of the
way. Herod was married to the
daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king,
but deserted her for Herodias. Hero
dias was the wife of Herod's older
brother.
IS. For John said unto Herod."
John took his life in his hands when
he, poor, humble Jew, reproved the
crimes of a reckless tyrant.
II. The Imprisonment-vers 10, 20.
10. "Therefore Herodias had a quar-
REL" or grudge against him." which
imprisonment alone did not satisfy.
"And would have killed him." The
only way to stop the reproof was to
repent or destroy the reprover. But
she could not" She had not yet sue
ceeded in persuading Herod.
20. "For Herod feared John" AS
Ahab feared Elijah. Because of his
influence with the people. And oh:
served him." In the sense of keep
ing John safe from Herodias. HE
did many things" Tried to com,
promise with his conscience by doing
good things
III. The Festival vers. 21-23..
21. "a convenient day, for the purpose
Herodias chad in mind. made a
supper" A banquet "To his lords, y
the state officers and mobiles. High
captains" Highest officers of the
army. Chief estates" chief men,
"of Galilee," who came to celebrate
The day.
o. THE daughter Of the said Her.
odias." Her own daughter was put
to this degrading task. Game in and
danced" With tambourines and
song. "And pleased Herod and them
that sat with him." They were doubt
less half intoxicated. "Ask of me
whatsoever thou wilt" some rich
jewel, Or city, or palace was probably
in his thoughts.
49, unto the half of my kingdom, ="
the promise of a man from whom
wine had driven out his wit.
". The Wicked Responsiveness. "a
&c. "a. "Said unto her mother,
What shall l ask?" This was the
question the mother was waiting for
though the daughter probably did not
know it.
rs. "she came in straightway with
haste" Urged on by her mother.
GIVE me by and by" Meaning i'm
mcdiately, lest Herod should change
his mind. "In charger" A large
dish or platter. ''The head of John
the Baptist" Indicating that the
sight of it would be feast to her
mother and herself.
26. "The king was exceeding
sorry" Not penitent, but worried
and troubled. Because he was forced
to do what he had repeatedly re-
fused. "For their sakes which sat
with him" He would seem to his
guests tickle and mean if he disre-
garded his public promise. Gle
would not reject her." Deny her
request Is it not wrong to break an
oath? No, if the oath was itself en-
tirely wrong. No power in the uni
verse can ever make it right to do a
wrong.
o. Immediately the king sent an
executioner." A soldier of his BODY
guard.
20. Brought his head in charger"
AS sure proof that the command
had been obeyed.