MOTHER'S DAY 2010

THE SAGA OF TWO FAMILIES
Would you want someone to write a book on your family? Even the best of families would probably say, I prefer that you don't. However, God writes more than history and prophecy about families. He writes truth. In the two families we will look at this morning, we see a family with a son and a family with a daughter and how each family was affected by their mother.
Luke 1:5 reads, "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth."
Elisabeth means, "The sense of God." Elisabeth and Zacharias had lived many years and they had no child.
Matthew 14:6 reads, "But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod."
Herodias means heroic. The name of his wife, Herodias, is derived from Herod. Herodias' desire was not to be a wife or a mother, but her desire was to be a Herod.
She wanted to control her life, her husband, her daughters and everyone else's. (Josephus tells us that Herodias' daughter's name was Salome. Her name means peace.)
In this story we will compare the lives of two women, their families, but mainly their hearts.
One woman has a righteous heart before God and one woman has a rotten heart before God.
Most of this message is taken from Mark 6:13-29. That text reveals the heart of Herodias, whereas the heart of Elisabeth is revealed in Luke 1.
This message reveals three thoughts:
I - THE PREACHER: (Mark 6:14)
Mark 6:14 And king Herod heard of him (Jesus); (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
Soon, after Jesus sent the disciples out to witness and do miracles for Him. His fame spread everywhere. One man of great power and position heard of Jesus' fame and the news frightened him greatly, though he had never met Jesus Christ. This man's name was Herod, the husband of Herodias.
Why would Herod fear Jesus so, though he had never met Him?
That is where our message begins, but not with Jesus, but John.
And even before John. It begins with his mother, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's was from the bloodline of Aaron. It is said, and is very much true, "behind every good man there is a good woman." That woman may be his mother. It may be his wife or it may be his grandmother. But, there is a lot of truth in that saying.
John's Father was Zacharias, a priest of God. Luke tells us that John and Elizabeth faithfully served the Lord all their lives.
The Bible says in Luke 1:6, "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless."
In that verse we see what made Elisabeth a godly woman. She walk her talk. She knew her role as a wife and a believer and she lived it.
The phrase, she was “righteous before God,” (v 6) tells us she knew the Salvation of the Lord. There are two types of righteousness in the Bible. There is imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness.
When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, he or she is given "imputed righteousness." That means one stand righteous before God because of our blood-bought relationship with Jesus Christ.
But, imparted righteousness is the life we live before others, because we realize our position with God and our place in society.
We impart to others the righteousness we have in our hearts.
Thus, Elisabeth's walk was as beautiful as her talk. Thus, she was blameless before God and man.
Elisabeth was very old. She had passed the flower of her youth. She was of the age when women no longer conceived.
Zacharias never quit praying, though he doubted that God would answer his prayer. One day while he was ministering to the Lord, burning incense in the Temple he prayed many prayers.
One of those prayers was "Lord, would you give me a son." Suddenly, the angel, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and told him that the Lord heard his prayer and would do just that... give him a son.
He told Zacharias that his son would be like Elijah. He would be righteous. He would preach truth. He would turn many to God.
Isn't that great? There was only one problem, Zacharias didn't believe Gabriel. So, Gabriel says, Zacharias, you will not be able to speak a word until your son is born and yes, you will name him, John. (God is gracious)
Now, why do you think Zacharias prayed this prayer? Well, Zacharias and especially his wife had suffered much rebuke because they were childless. In ancient days, the belief was if God opens your womb, He has blessed you and if not, then there must be sin in your life.
Elisabeth was mocked and looked down upon by her friends. I can hear friends and foes alike, "Why has God not opened your womb, Elisabeth?" "Is there some unconfessed sin in your life?"
So, when Elizabeth did conceive, she hid herself for five months.
A month later, a young girl, named Mary, came to Elisabeth and told her that she was carrying, the Messiah.
Mary was but a teenager. Elisabeth well up in her age. Elisabeth was the wife of a priest, Mary a simple peasant girl.
Yet Elisabeth praised Mary and gave glory to God. Elizabeth was so thankful for Mary's blessings that her emotions caused John, who was six months along in her womb, to jump for joy.
John was a great man for God, because his mother had a heart right with God. She walked and talked with God. She kept her role as a mother and believer. And she was blameless. I see that she was content with where she was in life.
Soon she gave life to a godly son, John the Baptist. Jesus said that there has never been one born of woman as great as John the Baptist.
II - THE PROBLEM
That brings us to the problem. The problem's name was Herodias. When Herod heard about all the miracles that Jesus Christ was doing, as well as his disciples, though John did no miracles, Herod feared that John had risen from the dead. Why? Well, here is where this family story begins.
Herod's name was Antipas. He ruled Galilee on the east, what we would call the East Bank. And his brother Herod Philip ruled northeast of Galilee in the land of Trachonitus or what we would call the Golan Heights today.
On a trip while Antipas was visiting his brother Philip, Antipas’ eyes fell upon Philip's beautiful wife, Herodias, and with lust in his soul, he stole her from his brother.
Why would Herodias give herself to Antipas, her brother-in-law? Herod Antipas was called a king, while Philip was only a governor. And Herodias was all about herself. She only wanted to promote herself and be the center of attention. She wanted to be a queen.
She was a spoiled, selfish and self-centered woman. All her life she was pampered and given everything she wanted and if she didn’t get her way, she pouted, she got mad and she got even.
She never knew what the word content meant. Her life made, her first husband's, Philip, life miserable and her life made Herod's life miserable. And if she didn't like someone, she made their life miserable.
Though Herodias was as beautiful as a butterfly outwardly, she was as ugly as a buzzard inwardly.
When she took flight with Antipas, she came with luggage. A heart was full of hate and her daughter was full of hell.
Lust last for but a short time, love last forever. Thus, it was not long before whatever relationship there was between Antipas and Herodias, it was gone.
HERE we have two women that will greatly impact the life of John. One would give John life and one would take John's life.
In those days, inside of Antipas' kingdom, yea, inside his own house was debauchery, dishonesty and deception.
Evil gets old after awhile and a man begins to look for someone or something that is real.
That is when John came on the scene. No doubt a convert of John's must have witnessed to Antipas and said, "Have you heard of the Baptist?" Great crowds from all over Galilee are going to hear this man speak. He is telling of a coming Messiah. He is calling the people to repent and prepare for the Messiah.
Curiosity got to Herod so, he decided to go and listen to John. John moved Antipas emotionally. Antipas enjoyed hearing someone tell the truth for once. He was somewhat tired of the deception, lies and evil within Rome... and within his own family.
Though Antipas did not live right, he knew John was holy and spoke truth.
The Bible says, that Antipas enjoyed hearing John preach.
--Maybe Antipas longed for the peace John preached about, for he had none in his home.
--Or maybe, he enjoyed John because John was telling the Jews that they needed to change their life style, for Antipas was an Edomite.
I can see Antipas as he returns home from hearing John preach. He comes to his wife, Herodias and says, "Herodias, you must go with me to hear the Baptist. He is the most amazing speaker I have ever heard. You just must come with me tomorrow to hear him."
As tomorrow arrives, Antipas and Herodias arrive in their chariot, along with many soldiers and guards.
They make their way to the desert place where John is speaking. John declares to the crowds with his booming voice, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Soon the Messiah will come, prepare ye the way of the Lord." John was the greatest orator of the day.
Suddenly, the unexpected happened. John, under the inspiration of the Spirit looks towards Antipas' chariot where Antipas and Herodias are sitting within.
John speaks with his booming baritone voice, "Antipas, it is not right for you to have your brother's wife."
Antipas is stricken with guilt and shame.
-He knows he did wrong when he stole Herodias from his brother.
-He probably wished he could return her but it was too late for that.
-Herod cannot speak. He is humbled.
But, Herodias is burning mad. Venom is dripping from her lips. I can hear her say, "How dare, that man speak truth about me. How dare he reveal my dirty laundry for all the world to see."
Isn't it amazing how God's Spirit works. Antipas was humbled, Herodias was hardened. The same sun that melts the snow, hardens the clay. Antipas is ashamed but Herodias is angered.
Antipas still held great respect for John. Herodias only desires to see him dead. Herod and Herodias argued over John life.
Herodias demands that Herod kill John. Herod reminded her, that he was the king and he would do no such a thing. So that Herod will not have to live in torment on earth, he compromises and throws John in prison.
But, Herodias is not content. You see, she didn't get her selfish way. She had never been forgiven by God and therefore she knew not how to forgive. Burning within her heart is a devious plan to get even.

III - THE PLOT
Herodias was pampered and spoiled as a child. She got everything she wanted and pouted if she did not get what she wanted.
This spoiled child that manipulated her parents with her wining, will now use even her own child for her profit.
Herodias was as pretty as a sunrise on the outside but inside she was full of sewage.
She thought, soon, it will be my husband's birthday. I will set a trap for him. Herodias knew Herod was a lustful man, so she goes to her daughter, Salome, and says, "Salome I want you to dance at the king's birthday party.
I want you to dance as seductively as you can, but don't tell anyone what you are going to do. It is your step-father's birthday present and I want it to be a suprise.
I will see to it that Herod is filled with drink. You just fill his heart with lust. I have something very special for Antipas on this birthday.
Herodias' daughter play the harlot that night. She dressed like a harlot, danced like a harlot and defrauded her step-father, to the command of her mother.
When the king could no longer contain his lustful thoughts, he says, "Ask of me and I will give you whatever you ask up to half my kingdom."
The daughter, though seductive, was ignorant of her mother's game. She goes to her mother and says, "Mother what do I ask for?"
Herodias with evil in her eyes and a sadistic grin on her lips says, go and tell the king you want the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
A stake was driven in Herod's heart. He knew that was wrong. How he regretted his pledge. But, so many people heard his drunken oath.
In shame Herod sent for the executioner. John's head was removed from his body, placed on a charger and given to Herodias' daughter.
Salome carries it to Herod. The Bible does not say this, but maybe Herodias' daughter said, "Mom says, "Happy birthday."
Now, Herodias was content. She got her way again.
I want to stop and look at two mothers:
1 - Elizabeth (Luke 1:6) "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless."
a. Elisabeth was righteous. That means she was honest and honorable. Think of the words honest and honorable. Honest means truthful, sincere, trustworthy, upright, law-abiding. Honorable means admirable, moral, praiseworthy and good. The Christian life is all about character, God's character. Thank God for godly mothers that are honest and honorable!
b. Elisabeth kept God's commandments. I enjoy studying the Bible for it reminds me of the things that I forget. I loved to read over my role of a husband and father, for I see where I have let things slip and I try to make things right. I enjoy studying love for every time I do I see where I can improve my love towards God, my wife and family.
Elisabeth reminds us, a wise man, a wise woman will live in God's word.
c. Elisabeth lived a blameless life. That means she was impeccable. She was innocent. Her heart was clean. She loved her God, her husband and she loved her son. She was trustworthy and dependable.
I thank the world of someone that is dependable and trustworthy. It is what makes a church, a family, and even a business successful.
d. Elizabeth was a selfless woman. She lived for others. She did not have a selfish bone in her body. She did not have to be served, she lived to serve. She lived for God. She lived for others.
You may ask, "How do you know that? When Mary came to Elisabeth and told her she was going to have the Christ. Elizabeth praised Mary. She didn't get jealous. She didn't say, "Why not me, Lord." Elizabeth was a selfless woman. How beautiful is the aroma of a selfless, submissive, spiritual woman.
2 -Look at Herodias
a. Herodias was miserable and she wanted everyone around her miserable. She only wanted her way and Herodias did not care who she hurt or who she stepped on to get what she wanted.
b. Herodias was a self-centered woman. Life was all about her. It was never about being a good wife or a good mother. It was about getting what she wanted. She had to have the best. She had to have her way. Why was she like that? Herodias was a spoiled little girl that grew up to be a spoiled old wife.
Many of you remember Scott Peterson, the man convicted of murdering his wife, whose was carrying his child. She was 27. The Baby was due within a few weeks to be born.
Why and how could a man kill his wife and baby, yet to be born. One piece of evidence was this presented in court was this: Scott's feet never touched the ground till he was one year old." That means, he was spoiled rotten.
Moms and dads, love your children, but rule your children. Don't let them pout. Don't let them have their way. Please, train them up in the ways of the Lord.
c. Herodias was a proud woman. She thought her beauty was all she needed to attract the world. But, she was blinded by her pride. Her pride made her bitter and ugly. She wanted position and fame, even if it meant breaking God's law by leaving her husband for his brother.
She manipulated her daughter into degrading herself and she manipulated her husband into an act of murder.
When John spoke truth and told the world that Herodias was an adulterous, rather than saying, "God forgive me," she said, "I will get vengeance."
d. Herodias did not know how to forgive because she was never forgiven by God.
Why were these two woman so different.
1 - One knew God and one did not.
2 - One spent time with God daily and one did not.
3 - One knew her Biblical role and one did not.
Every mother should want to be like Elisabeth. A woman in love with God, her husband and her family, a woman content and innocent.
On the other hand, no woman should want to be like Herodias. She was all about herself. She wanted her way or she pouted. She was envious, jealous and unforgiving.
The Jewish rabbis had a saying, A good woman might marry a bad man, because she hoped to make him as good as herself; but a good man can never marry a bad woman, for she will eventually drag him down to her own level.
Herod was not a good man to start with, but his wife made him worse.
There is a lesson here for wives and mothers. Women, you are going to influence your husband and you are going to influence your children. The question is whether you are going to influence them for good or for evil.
The love and submissiveness of my wife makes me a better man.
The more she loves God, the more loving she is to me. She is submissive. She is easy to talk to. She doesn't have to get her way. She serves me and others.
She is compassionate and kind to me because or her relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. I love her more for she desires to honor God.

In the end of this saga, John lost his head. But, one moment John was on earth the next moment he was in Paradise with his godly mother, Elizabeth, and his godly father, Zacharias.
Herodias in the end, urged Herod to travel to Rome and seek the kingship of all of Palestine. Her greedy request was Herod's undoing. Emperor Caligula accused Herod of conspiring against Rome and banished him and Herodias to Gaul where he died a penniless pauper.
May I make this challenge: If a truthful story was written of your life what would your story tell your children?
I hope it would say that you were righteous, that you kept God's word and that you were blameless and innocent.
If you say, but preacher I've made some bad mistakes.
Tell it to Jesus. He will save all who will surrender to Him. And he will forgive all who will ask forgiveness.
If you will give your time to God's word and God's house, He will make you like Elisabeth. There's room at the cross for you.