The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-11-21
Plain Tales From the Bible
BIZ ~ Truisns

ing These persons who
actual living personalities they surely wereand Just NOR
tails In their humanness the lessons living the
Bible holds for us.l
JOHN THE BAPTIST
The conditions under which the Jews lived in
B. c. but slightly removed from slavery.
Roman arrogance and authority had oppressed and
Knocked them since Pompey's victory over Jerusa-
lem in s. B. G. Especially burdensome Herod
the Greats reign of thirty five years which taxed
and robbed the people to the utmost in order that
his passion for display and his taste for the splen
doris of court life might be satisfied With lavish
hand he poured out the revenues he wrung from his
burdened subjects. Not only did he build cities and
fortresses temples and theaters statues and images
in his own kingdom but he gave freely to many
foreign cities.
But with all the magnifcence with which he
surrounded himself Herods life brought him sat-
sfaction or pleasure. Hated by the Jews and in
constant conflict with them continually harassed by
the need of keeping the favor of changing Roman rul
ers and surrounded by intrigues and plots of the
basest kind in his own family. he had opportun-
ty for finding enjoyment peace i'll life. His
death and funeral. in 4 B. c., without a single
mourner is an eptome of the life he lived.
By his will son. Herod Antipas. inherited
part of the kingdom known Galilee. He also in
herited all of his fathers passion for magnifcence
in private and public life and he brooked inter-
ference with his plans. Indeed. he did not consider
his own best interests where his passions
cerned> and much less thought did he give the Jews
at any time More than ever they were deemed fit
only to be subject to Roman authority and to keep
the royal treasury we'll filed.
In 81 A. D. Antipas visited Rome to pay his
tribute and respects to Tberius who was then
poror and in whose favor the Galilean ruler held
high place. While in the Imperial City he became
infatuated with his half-brother's wife. Herodias.
Being guest in their home did not deter him from
making passionate love to her and proposing mar
-siage. Being herself of royal blood and by nature
much the same as Antipas she welcomed his atten-
tons and favored his plans. He divorced his wife
and brought the beautiful Herodas to the magnif-
cent palace in Tiberias.
We know that about the time of Herod the
Greats death the Christ was born; and also that
Zacharias and Elisabeth about the same time were
divinely blessed by whom they named John.
Each of these Heaven sent babes grew to manhood
and took up their appointed work. The Messiah
was heralded and first made known to the people
by the priests son who henceforth was known as
John the Baptist
The Christ followed the path so plainly marked
| for Him and John. his great mission accomplished,
| busted himself with preaching the message that
| Jesus lived and practiced Came day when the
of his discpleship brought him into the life of
| the royal family. Well aware of the paganism that
dwet in the heart of Antipas, John did not spare
the king from scathine condemnation. Especially
did he rebuke Herod for the stealing of his bro
| theirs wife, holding him up to the contempt and
scorn of Galilee.
| 1t was not possible that John could keep his
life after such disregard of royalty and Roman pride
| and authority. Herod seemed reluctant TO harm
| the outspoken Jew for he feared John, knowing
| that he was just and holy" But not with
Herodias She never forgave him and waited only
| an opportune time to take her revenge.
| Such day soon CAME On Herod's birthday a
| celebration was made in the paace-fo of
| Machaerus. At that time John was in prison be-
cause of his bold criticisms of the royal family.
| Watching for the moment when wining and dining
had quickened and excited the kings passions He
rodias had her daughter dance before him and his
| guests. Pleased with the grace and beauty of the
damsel he told her to ask of me whatsoever thou
wilt, and will give it to thee" Following the
commands of her mother Saome requested by and
by in a charger the head of John the Baptist" Re-
luctantly but Immediately the kings oath was kept
and the faithful Jew was beheaded.
That he died with out regret fear we must
believe because in the cause he chose to pursue he
courted death by every word and act. Folks who
choose death in preference to relinquishing their
principles have fear of the grave their hearts
or regrets for the life they leave in their minds II
is the fear Of death that keeps from nobler living
and more worthy achievements Searching the his
tory of the world will reveal that all the brave
/ no how 1iod for ir1c