Grasshoppers, Greatness, and God's KingdomSample

The Death of the Party

The prison guard unlocks John’s cell and opens its barred door. As it swings open, a piercing creak reverberates off the walls of the dank, dark room. John takes a deep breath, unsure if the sound symbolizes his deliverance or his demise. In this week’s text, we witness the tragic and twisted execution of John the Baptist. He was a man great in the eyes of God, but a threat in the eyes of the land’s rulers. He lived a life of true greatness, but it all ended with an abrupt beheading. The life of John the Baptist teaches us a lot about true greatness in God’s kingdom, but the final lesson he teaches us is that greatness can come with great cost. Looking at John’s life, we have answered the question “What does true greatness look like in God’s kingdom?” But maybe the question we ought to ask now is “Do we really want true greatness in God’s kingdom?”

Reflection

• What factors make it difficult for you to speak up for what is right? (Verses 4-5)
• Why do you think people disliked John? How can you tell the difference between people not liking you because you’re being godly and people not liking you because you’re being a jerk? (Verse 8)
• How does John’s execution shape the way you think about greatness in God’s kingdom? (Verses 10-12)