The Death of John the Baptist

 Matt. 14:10, 13
 And he (Herod) sent, and beheaded John in the prison… When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart…

The death of John the Baptist did not take Jesus by surprise; it was planned from the beginning of time that John would give his life for the Kingdom of God. He blazed the trail, prepared the way for the plan of salvation. Like Jesus, John was just a man in his 30s. Surely God could have given him more years and used him to spread the news. But, even John said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” The impact of John’s death did not go unnoticed. As a man, Jesus desired to get away into the desert and possibly remember John and go to His Father and pray. Even though Jesus knew that John would die, He bore the burden of John’s death.  It is sad when someone dies at an early age, it is natural to ask “Why?” We contemplate all the possibilities and ask God to use such a tragedy for His purpose. Go to your desert place and pour your heart out to the one who knows your sorrow and pain, and trust Him in all things