Poem on the Beheading of John the Baptist Matthew 14.1-12

"And you my child shall be called a prophet of the most High."

After regaining speech, his father did prophecy.

But that was way back at the beginning-Luke One.

Then the story had just barely begun.

Zechariah said that he would give light

The words he'd speak would bring morning from night.

So how did we get to Matthew's 14th chapter

With parties and dancing and John's head on a platter?

Listen, to what John Chrysostom said:

Beheaded John speaks even though he is dead.

Do you hear him down at the Jordan River?

Words that call people back to the Life-Giver.

His appearance and diet struck some as odd.

But that prophet called many back to God.

Baptizing John with word and water making a way.

For his cousin to come-I'll never forget that day

Behold God's Lamb who takes away sin.

The most important work was about to begin.

He would also tell us that our sin reeks.

So they would behead him-but he still speaks.

His disciples came and lowered him down.

His Master met him with a crown.