John's rugged faithfulness.
How John came into contact with Herod, or how he was called to administer such a public reproof, we are not informed. It is quite possible that, in the Divine inspiration, he had done somewhat as Elijah had done before him—suddenly appeared at court,—a strange weird figure before which the soldiers shrank back,—marched straight into the presence of Herod, and with no preamble or apology, declared, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." It is, however, quite possible that Herod may have sent for him, hoping to get his conscience eased by securing the prophet's approval of his act; and no doubt Herod had some fine excuses and explanations to offer. Men always have when they have resolved to satisfy their own fancies and vices. And at Eastern courts there are always people willing enough to flatter their king, and encourage him in his vices. John stands out in strong contrast with all such.
I. A MAN WHO KNEW THE RIGHT. We are often confused because, though we may know the right, there are special circumstances in each particular case which disturb our judgment. We can see the abstract right, but it is difficult to see the right in just this case. It cannot be right that a man should have his brother's wife. And yet advisers at court may make out that high policy makes that necessary in this case. Compare Cranmer helping Henry VIII. to secure his shameless divorce. John the Baptist listened to no excuses of policy, which were but excuses of passion. He knew the right.
II. A MAN WHO SPOKE OUT THE RIGHT HE KNEW. So often we "keep silence in the evil time." We think we can do no good by speaking out, and may only bring trouble on ourselves. The men who have influenced the generations are the men of strong convictions, who could not keep silence. John, on this occasion, might have been cautious; he might have spoken like a courtier, eased his message, spoken carefully, and taken care not to offend. His mission was to the conscience of the wicked king. There shall be no trimming in his message; it shall smite right home. It is bald, bare, strong, uncompromising. "It is not lawful for thee to have her." People are sometimes what they call "faithful," but they are only irritating and humiliating. True faithfulness is conscience rousing.
III. A MAN WHO SUFFERED FOR THE RIGHT HE SPOKE. Not really at the hands of Herod. Really at the hands of Herodias, the unscrupulous woman who was the Jezebel to this Ahab. A man who fears the personal consequences of witnessing to the right, or doing the right, will never stand beside rugged, faithful John in the Divine approval.—R.T.