And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus
John the Baptist ~ II
GATES OF GLORY
AD 27
Tiberius, Galilee [1]
         The glory moment in time that John has lived for since birth has come and gone.� John has introduced the Son of God to the world.� He has baptized him in the Jordan River, not because he had any sins, but because he wanted to be a good example to everyone.� He is amazing. [2]
         The glory moment John will die will be here soon.� He does not know it.� But how could he miss the signs?� Too many people following him.� Too much talk about a new kingdom.� Too much whispering about a new religion.� Too many threats to too many people.�
         And then there is the scandal.� People do not like what they hear.� The rumors.� John does not either....
         "Oh, Herodius, how can I keep my eyes off of you?� When I see you sitting next to my brother, I can hardly stand it.� You belong with me, not him." [3]
         Shhhh.� Someone will hear you and report it to Philip."
         "Not in my palace, they won't."
         Herodius smiles sheepishly.� "You really are a devil, Herod."�
         "Meet me this afternoon in the north tower."
AD 28
Jordan River, Perea
         John the Baptizer heads north in the direction of Galilee.� Closer to where God the Son, Jesus, is.� As he does, he heads closer to where God the Father, Jehovah, is.� Things are getting more and more dangerous.� He is getting too powerful.� The Jewish leaders watch him suspiciously.� So do the Roman leaders.
         He works his way up through Perea warning people to get ready for a new kingdom.� He nears the southern tip of Decapolis, governed by Philip, son of the terrible King Herod, preaching his doctrine of love.
         "Repent of your shady dealings with other people!� You want to be in God's kingdom, don't you?"
         Over and over.� The same message.
         "Prove you are sorry for your sins by eliminating them from your life and being baptized in the water."
         Now, although he has thus far limited his travel to the east side of the Jordan River, he decides to cross over into the southern tip of Galilee.� Herod Antipas, brother of Philip, rules both the provinces of Perea and Galilee.�
         As John travels and preaches farther north, he hears more talk about the two royal brothers.� They are not getting along.� Herod Antipas ~ who dares call himself king, although he is only a tetrarch ~ has pursued something that is not his for the taking.
Bethsaida/Julius, Decapolis [4]
         "Herodius, I cannot keep living without you.� We must do something."
         "Well, maybe Philip should have an accident or something."
         Herod is amused.� "You don't need to go that far, my sweet.� The only reason Philip is ruling is because of our family name.� He's too easy.� He lets people run over him. " [5]
         She rolls her eyes up.� "Do I ever know that.� I've been after him to enlarge our territory.� You rule over more than he does.� And go to Rome.� He never goes to Rome.� He needs contacts.� More political pull."
         "Even though he was older, I could always beat him up when we were kids."
         "You know, I never did really like Philip."
         "You didn't?� I thought you were as excited as any bride I ever knew."
         "Well, at first I did.� But as I got older and learned to take control of my life, I saw what a wimp he really was.� And he is so predictable."
         "The wisdom of years, my dear."
         "Now you, Herod, are the daring one.� You are the one who makes all those trips to Rome, wining and dining with Caesar.� You is the one who goes by the family name instead of your given name, Antipas.� You are the one who dares to call yourself king, although you are only a tetrarch.� But you get by with it!� You actually get by with it!"
         "I will have all of Palestine some day if I have my way.� And I will have all of you some day too.� You will become my wife."
         "You are right, Herod.� You are so right.� I may as well face Philip with it.� He probably knows anyway."
         "You can get a divorce from him while I am in Rome."
         "But, my sweet Herod, you must agree to divorce your wife too."
         "I don't know.� I need the alliance with her father."
         "You've got enough power you could take Arabia from him."
         "Flattery!� You are so good at it." [6]
Aenon, Galilee [7]
         John has passed through southern Decapolis.� He continues to hear talk.� Now he crosses the Jordan River over into southern Galilee.� He is disturbed by what he is hearing about Herod and his sister-in-law.� He wants to talk to King Herod in person about the scandal which continues to grow, and his influence.� He wants Herod to be in the kingdom of God too.
         Will he be able to get a hearing?� There has to be a way.
         As he travels, he stays on the same theme.� The people need to hear it.� Apparently they know they do.� They flock to the man who tells them how.
         "Clean up your life!� Repent.� Be ceremonially cleansed!� Get ready to enter the holy kingdom of God!"
         Announce.� Baptize.� Fulfill his destiny.� Always around water.� Plenty of water.
         "John!� We've got a problem."� It is one of his assistants who travels with him, Neri.
         "What's bothering you?"� The two men sit down by a campfire.� It is early evening.
         "The one you baptized on the other side of the Jordan ~ the one you announced was the Deliverer ~ he is baptizing now too."� Neri throws a pebble into the fire.
         "Yes, I'm aware of that."

          "He is stealing your thunder.� More people are starting to follow him now.� That's not fair.� This is your operation.� You started the movement." [8]� Neri stands up.� His righteous anger is hard to express.
         John surprises him with his answer.� Looking up at his colleague, he explains.� "God in heaven commissions each man's work.� My work is to prepare the way for that man so everyone WILL go to him."
         Neri looks up into the sky where the bright moon outshines the stars.� "But so many of your followers seem to be abandoning you for him."
         By now some of his other assistants have joined them.� They, too are obviously concerned.�
         "Relax, everyone.� You know how plainly I told all of you I am not the Christ."
         "Yes, but...."
         "I am only here to prepare the way for him." [9]
         There is a sound of farewell in John's voice.� His friends grow uneasy.� This is not what they had expected.
         "But, sir.� You've become well known all over the country.� You can't just desert the movement you founded."
         John sees that his friends are growing discouraged.� This the wrong reaction.� He stands and shows a broad smile.
         "Hey, guys.� He's the groom!� I'm just the best man.� I'm just supposed to get everything ready for the groom.� The groom is to be married to the saved of the world, his bride." [10]
         "He must become greater and greater.� I must become less and less.� After all, he has come from heaven and...."
         "But you said you were sent by heaven too."
         "There's a difference.� He is actually from heaven.� I'm actually from the earth.� He can tell us about things he has seen for himself in heaven.� All I can testify of are things I've seen on earth." [12]
         They don't like what they hear.� They've put their heart and soul into this movement.� They have left behind jobs and families to help John with this new movement.
         "How do we know that?� There have been a lot of men who claimed to be the Christ, the one destined by God to be the eternal priest and king.� All frauds."
         'He is bringing you evidence.� He is fulfilling prophecies made about him many centuries ago.� Some people will never believe him, no matter how many undisputable facts he presents.� Those who believe him because of all the evidence discover that God is the source of truth."  [12]
         "Truth?� There are a lot of people out there who claim there is no such thing as absolute truth.� How can anyone tell what is truth and what isn't?"
         John puts his hands on each side of his head in frustration.� "God's Spirit is upon him wholly and completely!" [13]
         "That's impossible!"
         'What is God's Spirit anyway?� I don't understand."
         "God's Spirit is truth, and God's word is truth, therefore, God's Spirit and his word are the same thing!" [14]
         "John, this is too hard to understand," Eliakim interrupts
         "Maybe this will help you understand.� God the Father...."
         "God is not a father."� Now Obed is interrupting.� "God is a creator.� A judge.� But not a father."
         This does not deter.� He is used to interruptions and arguments.� Spiritual concepts of the new spirit kingdom are hard to understand.� He knows this.� He is patient.
         "The Father loves this man because he is his son."
         "His son?� You've got to be kidding, John.� No one is going to take him seriously!"
         "They already are.� Look at his miracles.� I don't perform miracles.� He's got the proof - the miracles and the prophesies fulfilled.� Look at the evidence!� Everyone who trusts this evidence, and therefore trusts him to save them, will live forever."  [15]
         "When I step aside, you will find out."
         "But, John."� Obed does not want to ask this next question.� But he must.� "What is to happen to you?"
         The show is nearly over.� John's time in the spotlight is nearly over.� John realizes he is getting a little tired.� He wanders over to his tent.
         Soon he will have his last performance.� He cannot ease up.� The last performance will be by far the most grand.�
AD 29
Bethsaida/Julius, Decapolis
         "Philip, I want a divorce.� I no longer love you.� I have no desire to pretend any longer."
         "It's my brother, isn't it?"
         "Yes, it is.� And Herod and I are going to be married.� There is nothing you can do to stop us."
         "But it's against the law.� You know that.� You have no grounds for divorcing me."
         "You can be a practicing Jew if you want to.� Personally, I think the whole thing is a waste of time."
         "I will be moving out as soon as I can get organized."
         "Don't do this, Herodias.� Please, don't do this."
Tiberius, Galilee
         "I knew it.� I knew my husband has been carrying on with Herodias."
         "He is planning to divorce you as soon as he returns from Rome."
         "Thank you for verifying it for me.� You know for certain Herodias has begun the divorce proceedings."
         "Yes, your highness."
         She proceeds to her room, gets out a blank scroll, and writes to her father.� "To your royal highness, king of Arabia.� Things are not well.� Herod is planning to divorce me.� As soon as he is out of town, I will begin sending you all my belongings and anything else that I deserve to have from this man."
         "Herod, I would like to go to our palace down in Macheras."
         "What did you say, my dear?"
         "You heard me."
         "Well, as soon as I get back from Rome.� I see no problem with that.� Lonely for your father?� He's a good man, you know."
         "Yes, I'll be going to see him at Petra while I'm down there." [16]
         Soon two hearts are joined at the expense of breaking two other hearts in the process.�
         The wedding is a grand affair.� All Rome is talking.� All Galilee is talking.� And all Decapolis, and Judea and Perea.
Province of Perea
         John continues to reach out to people.� So many people wondering what would please God but not sure how.� So many people searching for answers.� So many people wanting to be citizens of the kingdom of God.� Some God's way, some their own way, as though it was their kingdom.
         More people.� Religious people.� Fanatics.� Liberals.� Legalists.� Emotionalists.� Scholars.� Mindless acceptors.
         More people.� The religious and non-religious.� The commoners and the leaders.� The Jews and the Romans.� And Herod.
         "Rabbi, aren't you advocating revolution against the government?"
         John has heard the question many times before.� He has answered it so many times before.� He does so once again.�
         "Dual citizenship is what I am advocating.� Stay the citizen of whatever country you are in, but also be a citizen of a spiritual kingdom."
         "Maybe we should give up our citizenship here and just be spiritual people."
         "That is hardly possible since we live here on earth for now.� But after we die, we can become one hundred percent citizens of the kingdom of God."
         "So we need to keep honoring the king."
         "Yes, but do not honor everything they do.� You know all the atrocities Herod has been responsible for ~ the executions, the spying, the wars for more territory, the wife he stole from his brother." [17]
Early Spring AD 29
Macherus, Perea [18]
         "This is outrageous!� That man ~ what do they call him? �John the Baptizer?  ~  must be stopped!� I will not have him smearing our marriage all over the province like that.� You will have John arrested!"
         "Well, I'm not worried about that, my dear.� Upstarts come and go.� None of them succeed.� No one can come up against the Herods and win.� My father's dynasty began here over seventy years ago.� It will never end."
         "You'd better start worrying.� This John has already convinced thousands of people to follow him.� He's turning the people against you.� An all-out insurrection is coming.� That man must be stop!"
         Herod is indeed interested in John.� Not because of the treason Herodias is accusing him of, but because of his most-interesting philosophy.�
         Ah yes.� Just what John had been praying for.
         "Where is he?" �The voice is gruff.
         One by one the tents are slashed.� One by one men scramble out into the night.
         "Which one of you is the baptizer called John?"
         Soldiers with torches in hand, walk past a growing line-up of men.
         "You will turn him over to us or all be executed!� Which will it be?"
         "Sir, I am the one you are looking for."
         The soldier holds his torch up to John, close enough to sear his hair.� John does not flinch.
         "Hmmmm.� Skinny little man, aren't you.� I heard you actually eat grasshoppers.� Is that true, skinny little man?� Hmmmm?� Is it true?"
         John does not answer.
         "Is he being arrested?"
         "Shhh," John says quietly.� "This is what was meant to happen.  Now I'll be able to talk to Herod in person."
         "What, be hauled in front of Herod?� This is Herod's doing, isn't it?" [19]
         "Shut up!"
         John is chained.� Hands.� Feet.� But not in heart.� He will now be able to share his message with the ruler himself.�
         At first, Governor Herod secretly sends for Rabbi John.
         "I know you don't approve of my wife.� But I want to know what you're out there telling everyone about this new kingdom of God.� Dual citizenship.� That's an interesting concept."
         "In fact, your majesty,," John inserts, "by being citizens in the kingdom of God, people in your territory and everyone else's territory become better citizens."
         "I kind of like you, John.� Not everything you say.� But you're different.� We're going to be seeing a lot of each other.� Of course, we'll keep this a secret.� Discretion, you know.� I respect you, John.� You're a little odd, but I do respect you." [20]
         "I'll be praying for you, King Herod.� You need to repent, you know.� I'll pray for you."
         "No one has ever said that to me before in my whole life."
         "Said what?"
         "No one has ever said they would pray for me."
         But each time John is returned to his cell to sit in the darkness, his old doubts return.� Is he or isn't he?� Is Jesus really the Son of God?
         Then he remembers all the predictions about Jesus that have come true thus far.� It helps.
         Then back to the doubting.� Is Jesus really going to be the king of the kingdom of God?� Is Jesus really who he claims to be?�
         "Oh, my God, help my doubts.� I hate this.� I hate the doubting.� I'm just like my father.� Only when he doubted, he lost his voice.� I haven't lost my voice yet.� Does that mean my doubts are only imaginary?� Does that mean I really, deep down, do believe?� Oh, my God." [21]
         John sometimes has company in prison.� His loyal followers.� They're doing everything they can to get him released.� They keep running into roadblocks.� It's dangerous going up against Herod.� But they will keep trying.
         "What about Jesus?" John asks.� "Please tell me about Jesus.� How is he doing?� Are people believing him?"
         "He's performing marvelous miracles!� Miracles never seen before!"
         "Miracles?� What kind of miracles?"
         "He heals people.� Fevers.� Paralysis.� Arthritis.� Even leprosy."
         "Leprosy?"
         "He restores sight to blind people.� He even casts demons out of people."
         "Amazing...." [22]
         But once again John sinks into the old haunting doubt.� He tries to fight it off.� It's hard.� Somehow John knows he will never leave the prison alive.
         "Oh, my God.� Help me at this time.� I feel so alone.� I need Jesus' reassurance.� Help me."
         In the cold darkness John shivers and tries to shake off the doubts.� He sits alone in the stench of sin.�
         He sits alone in darkness, for they have even taken out the one light bulb in his cell.� He longs so for the light.� He searches for light.� He prays to God for the light.� The Light of the world.
         "Oh God, if Jesus could just visit me here.� That would help.� Please send Jesus.� I cannot make it without him."
         The days and nights merge into one long midnight, one unending nightmare.� John prays.� Oh how he prays.�
         "God, help me get through this.� I don't know how much I can handle.� God, I'm trying."
         Sometimes he dreams.� He dreams of childhood days going to the grand Temple with his father when he was on duty as Priest of the Month.� He dreams of his mother, Elizabeth's, apple pie, and of her reading the Scriptures to him at night.
         He dreams of his trusty friends, his old tent.� My, the places he set it up.� All over everywhere.� So he could warn people.� So he could prepare people.� So he could make the announcement.� Just like the angels had done over thirty years ago.� But this time, not just to dirty shepherds.� This time to the whole world.� He's coming!� He's coming!� He's coming!
         "He's not coming," John hears.� He stirs out of his sleep.
         "What?� Who's not coming?"
         "Your friend, Addi.� He can't make it today."
         "Guard.� Can you get a message to him for me?"
         "Well, Herod said to be decent to you.� Sure.� Why not?� I'll get it delivered somehow."
         John is given a small scroll and quill.� He scribbles a note.
         "We came as soon as we could," he hears a few days later.� What do you need, friend John?"
         "Find Jesus.� Go to him.� I've got to ask him this question.� Please don't ask me why.� I just need to do this."
         "What do you want us to ask him?"
         "Ask him...."� He pauses.� He is about to admit to his friends and followers the very thing he told them not to do ~ doubt Jesus.� "Ask him, well, if he really is the one we are waiting for, or shall we keep on looking." [23]
         They are surprised that one who had so stubbornly declared Jesus' sonship would ask this.� But being imprisoned can do things to a person.� A person needs more reassurance, perhaps, in prison.
         More days.� Waiting for the answer.� And nights.� Holding on to an illusive faith.� And weeks. Time standing cruelly still.� Lonely.� Oh so lonely.� Where is Jesus?
         Eventually they find him in Capernaum.
         "What do you see me doing?" Jesus replies.
         "Making the blind see, the lame walk.� Healing people with diseases.� Making the deaf hear.� You're incredible, Jesus!"
         "And just yesterday in Nain I raised a young man from the dead in the middle of his funeral." [24]
         "You did what, Jesus?� He's not dead any more?"
         "Furthermore, I'm teaching the poor, not the self-important.� Tell John everyone who does not doubt me is blessed.� Tell John to fight off the doubts.� He'll be blessed beyond his greatest imagination."
         Jesus' heart goes out to his cousin sitting alone in the dark prison all but forgotten while the cause goes on without him.� Jesus loves John.� Their relationship is special.� Jesus prays continually for John.
         John's messengers leave.� But Jesus is touched.� John has fought so many battles in his life, overcome so many problems.� John has always needed his encouragement.� Just a little is all he ever needed; then he was ready to start all over again fresh.� Jesus sees strength in John that John never saw in himself.
         Jesus senses people in the crowd around him snicker and sneer about John.� He interrupts them.
         "What did you go out to see in the countryside?� A blade of grass swayed by the wind?"
         They pause their chattering.� Well, sometimes John was like that.
         "Really.� What did you go out to see?� A man elegantly dressed?"
         Well, he used to be.� He changed.� Traded his fine linen robes for leather. [25]
         "A prophet, then?� Indeed he was.� And far more than a prophet.� It is John that Malachi predicted would go ahead of me to prepare you for me."
         But Jesus is not yet done.
         "If you can accept it, John is Elijah who was predicted by� Malachi."
         The crowd knows John has denied being Elijah.� John seemed never very far from that gnawing doubt.
         Jesus stands resolutely.� He will defend John and give him the honor he was always too humble to draw to himself. [26]
         "He was a dynamic speaker.� Everyone, even government workers, accepted him and his baptism.� Only the Pharisees and teachers of the law refused to be baptized by him.� And to justify themselves, they claimed he was not from God." [27]
         People must always remember John for what he was, what he represented.� John the Great.� How Jesus loves him.� Does John know that?� Surely he does.� Jesus reaches out over the miles, over the distance, and touches the heart of John.
         John hears clanging at his cell door.� Is it his time?� Has his time come?� Will he be released now?� Released from prison?� Released from earth?�
         Someone with a torch looks in.� A vaguely familiar person walks in.
         "Hello there, John.� Sorry we have had to keep you cooped up like this."
         It is King Herod himself.�
         "Here.� I've brought you some fig cakes.� Could we talk?"
         "Uh, sure, your majesty.� What about?
         "You know.� That new kingdom.� The kingdom that is going to exist side-by-side with mine."
         "The kingdom of God.� Yes."
         "I keep thinking about it.� Are you sure they can co-exist at the same time?"
         "Not only with yours, but with every nation in the world."
         "How can that be?� Who can be so powerful?� Caesar would stop him."
         "Caesar rules with his treasury and his armies.� This new leader will rule with love and the power of heaven."
         "Who did you say he was again?"
         "Jesus.� He is from Nazareth up in Galilee Province."
         Somehow John is not afraid to give Herod his name.� He knows Jesus can take care of himself.� Jesus has God on his side.� Actually, Jesus is God.� But most people do not understand this.� Herod never will.
         "So the kingdoms of the world are not in jeopardy?"
         "As long as they accept this new kingdom.� If they try to fight it, they will self-destruct.� And you, Herod, sir� You must repent along with everyone else.� You can not go around breaking the law like you are doing.� Both laws, actually."
         Herod grows angry.� He wants to ask a question, but is afraid of the answer.� Still, he is brave.� Never known to be a coward.� "What laws?"
         "The laws you, yourself, enacted.� And the laws of God."
         Herod knows what John is referring to.� Could he never quit talking about his wife?
         He is nervous.� He is mad.� He stands up, and an alert guard at the door opens it immediately.�
         Now Herod is gone.� John will never see him again.� He senses it. [28]
         Once more John is left alone.� Once more in the dark.� Once more wondering.� Did he say anything to make him mad?� Did he hasten his day?
         "Well, what did he have to say this time?" Herodius asks, much to the surprise of her husband.� "You didn't think you could sneak down there without my knowing it."
         "He said the usual."
        "Did he talk about me?"
         "He talked about a lot of things."
"You've got to do something about that man.� I hate him being down there when I'm up here.� I hate him.� He's destroying our relationship.� You've got to destroy him first."
         "We'll see, dear.� Let's get some sleep.� Things will be brighter in the morning. [29]
       Once more John prays.� "Oh, my God.� If my time of departure is to be, make it soon.� I am tired, God.� I know it's time to move aside.� It is now Jesus' time.� God, your kingdom must stand.� Give it strength.� Your strength.� Your out-of-this world strength."
         Suddenly a light appears in his cell.� Is it his time now?
         "Get up, John.� You've got company."
         In walks his friends.� The ones he'd sent the message to Jesus by.�
         "John, it's so good to see you again."� But as soon as he says it, he wishes he hadn't.�  But he was a little surprised John was still alive.
         "Yes, I'm afraid I'm still around."
         They all smile.� They slap each other on the back and kiss each other on both cheeks.�
         They gave us a few minutes.
         Quietly he asks.� "Did you see Jesus?"
         "Yes, we saw him.� He is one hundred percent behind you, John.� He bragged on you to everyone."
         "That's Jesus, all right."
         "And he told us to be sure and tell you about his miracles.� We'd heard of them, but never saw any done before.� It was out of this world, John."
         "Right before our eyes," his other friend continues, "he caused withered hands to fill out and return to normal.� We watched as cataracts melted from people's eyes and they were able to see.� Amazing.� Absolutely amazing."
         "He also said to be sure to tell you that he's bringing people back from the dead; he's returning them to life.� He's actually doing it, John!� People everywhere told us all about that young man he returned to life." [30]
         "Returned to life?"� John sighs.� "Returned to life...."
         "God is with him, John.� God is with him."
         John nods in agreement, and whispers, "Yes.� God is with him."
         They turn to go.� John walks the few feet with them to the iron gate.� He craves their companionship.� But they must go.
         "Oh, and one more thing...."
         "Yes?"
         "It was really strange.� He said, eternal joy is experienced by the man who remains faithful to the very end."  [31]
         They leave, John sits back down in the filth.� But he is smiling.� Returned to life.� Returned to life....
         Once again darkness returns.� Once again his mind transcends his cell and rushes out to the world he traversed for some thirty-two years.� The world to which he announced the Son of God.�
         But more and more, his thoughts of those times become vague.� More and more he thinks of heaven.� More and more he searches his memory for word pictures of heaven.� Word pictures in the prophets.� He recalls mansions made of precious stones.� He recalls an emerald rainbow about the throne of God.� He recalls the angels singing God's praises. [32]
         More and more he recalls as though he has already seen them.� More and more time and space are all mixed up.� Mingling.� Fusing.� Spirit growing stronger, more solid, more vivid.� More real.
         He thinks of the Psalm that promises that God will shepherd him through the terrible valley.� But there is something wrong with it.� What is it?� The part about walking through the valley of the shadow of death. [33]
         "There is no shadow of death!" he shouts aloud.� "No shadow of death!" John shouts again.� "Do you hear that everyone?� It is all lit up now!" [34]
         Mostly he is shouting to himself.� Sometimes it takes that to jar himself back into the present reality.� And what a reality it is.
         "My father said it when I was born.� Jesus repeated it when he began his work.� 'To those who sit in the shadow of death, light is sprung up!'� That's it!� Jesus is bringing a light to the shadow of death!� It's not dark there any more.� No darkness any more...." [35]
         And in the darkness, John drifts off to sleep and dreams of mansions in the morning.
         There is another party in King Herod's southern palace.� This time it is a birthday party.� Herod's.
         Music.� Dancing.� Satan is laughing and singing and dancing.� Satan knows he is about to win!
         Herod shows off his beautiful new bride.� He shows off his beautiful step-daughter, Salome, named after his aunt.� Ah, the girl's form is lovely as she dances around the banquet hall.� Herod loves watching her.� So do all the other men.� Music.� Dancing.� Getting more and more drunk. [36]
         "My dear!" he shouts across the banquet room at the end of her dance.� "My dear!" he repeats so as to get everyone's attention.� He is about to declare how great he really is.� He has power.� Power to give anything he wants, and still have plenty left over.
         "My dear, you may have anything you want!"
         "Anything?"
         "Anything!" [37]
         King Herod is strutting.� King Herod ~ who is really only Rome's puppet tetrarch ~ is showing off.� But secretly he hopes she will not clean out his treasury.� Surely she knows better than to embarrass him.� He knows he can trust her.
         Maybe she'd better think it over.
         "Mother, I've got some ideas, I'm not sure which thing to ask for.� My own gilded river barge?� My own hanging gardens?� A shopping trip to Rome?� An ivory bed?� What should I ask for, Mother?"
         "John the Baptizer."�
         "What?"
         "You want John the Baptizer."
         "You're serious!"
         "You bet I am.� You will ask for John the Baptizer."
         "But I don't want to marry him.  And I think he'd be an awful slave."
         "Not to marry.� To kill.� You want him executed tonight."
         "Mother!� This is the chance of a lifetime and you want me to use my one wish on executing a lunatic we never even met?"
         "You heard me, Salome.� You will ask for John's head, and on a silver dinner platter."
         "But...."
         "That's enough, young lady.� You will do as I say."
         "But...."
         Mother loosens up a little and smiles, for she knows she is about to win.� "I will personally give you a one-month shopping trip to Rome and Egypt both.� The sky's the limit."
         "Well....� All right.� I'll go tell him that's what I want." [38]
         John's cell door opens.� In the shadow stands a large man he has never seen before.
         Satan stands and shouts a resounding "Yes!" that echoes through hell.
         John, too, stands.� He trembles in body.� But his soul silently cries out, "You didn't stop me until my work was done!� You couldn't stop me until God was ready for you to!"
         He stares a moment.� Then quietly he whispers.� "Now?"
         "Yes, now."
         "How will it be done?"
         "Herod must like you.  He said no torture.
         John takes a deep breath.  "I'm ready.� Let's do it."
         The guard takes John to a nearby cell spattered heavily with blacken blood.  He tells John where to kneel and places a hood over his head.� John cannot see.� Yet he sees more clearly than ever. 
         In the foggy haze he detects his father and mother.� Zachariah and Elizabeth will be there waiting for him.� It will be good to see them again.� And God.� Wonder what God really does look like....�
         "I don't need the hood.� I'll be fine."  John is full of a peace he had not expected.
         The guard believes him and takes it off.
         John whispers, "Oh, my God.� You are my strength.� My eternity.� My very being."
         John's head is centered on a chopping block.
         "I long to see you face to face."
         The blade is raised over his head.
         "Take me home.� My soul is...."
         The piercing thud somehow echoes through the dark prison night. [39]
         Suddenly there is light!� Spectacular light from a million stars!� Daring light from a billion galaxies!� Dazzling light from a throne at the pinnacle of heaven!
         And singing!� Suddenly there is singing!� The angels!� The chorus of angels!� The mighty ones of the universe!
         Oh yes, and suddenly there is a crowd!� You're not alone, John!� Look!� They're everywhere!� Coming to greet you!� Everyone's here!
         "You did it, John!"
         "Hey, John!� It's so good to see you!"
         "Man, you're something else!� Were you ever stubborn!� Nothing stopped you!"
         "Congratulations, John!"
         Then a voice that is different from the rest....�
         "You fulfilled your work.� Welcome home!"
         It is God.
����������������������������������������������������������������������� LIFE APPLICATION
1.�������� Are you involved in or practicing something that you do not know whether or not it is a sin?� It is possible to know.� Find a Bible concordance and look up the main word or words which describe it.� Then look up what God has to say about it.� What will you do with this new information?
2.�������� We all justify ourselves when we make excuses for doing something we really know was wrong.� It usually starts out with, "I had to because...."� What are you involved in right now or were recently that you deep down know is wrong but are justifying?� How will you go about stopping it?
3.�������� A Christian who knows what God says about dying does not fear death.� Considering how short our life is here compared with millions of years in heaven, what will you give up or begin doing to reassure yourself and God that heaven is your real home, your eternal home?  (Remember, heaven in God's home, not home, and he gets to choose who comes into his home and who doesn't.)�������
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