This past weekend at Eastbrook, I continued our new preaching series, “Who Do You Say I Am?”, by looking at a strange episode in Matthew 14:1-13 on the death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod Antipas. This passage has import for revealing Jesus’ identity and also gives us insight into the life of discipleship.
This message is part of the sixth part of our longer series on Matthew, which includes “Family Tree,” “Power in Preparation,” “Becoming Real,” “The Messiah’s Mission,” and “Stories of the Kingdom.”
You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants,
‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead!’” (Matthew 14:1-2)
Jesus Mistaken for John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-2)
Reports about Jesus reach Herod Antipas
The similar ministry of Jesus and John the Baptist
Herod Antipas’ similar concerns about Jesus and John
John the Baptist Crashes Herod’s Party (Matthew 14:3-12)
John speaks truth about Herod’s actions
Herod’s party and family drama
John’s brutal death at Herod’s hands
Jesus Withdraws (Matthew 14:13)
Withdrawing from Herod Antipas and the crowds
Withdrawing with the apostles and to be with the Father
Dig Deeper:
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
- Memorize John’s message in Matthew 3:2
- Journal, draw, paint, or ink this story as a way of reflecting on how you see Jesus and who Jesus really is to you.
- Read more about John the Baptist’s life in the following passages:
- Luke 1:5-25, 39-80
- Luke 3:1-20
- Matthew 3:1-12
- John 1:6-8, 19-34
- John 3:22-36
- Matthew 11:1-19
- Matthew 14:1-12
- Mark 6:14-29
- Matthew 17:11-13; 21:32
Renovate 