A High Price

READ

You know those moments when doing the right thing comes at a really high price? That's what we're seeing in today’s raw and honest story about John the Baptist's death.

Let’s take a moment to read Mark 6:14-29: 

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

 Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

REFLECT

Let's set the scene. John's been calling out King Herod for marrying his brother's wife, Herodias. It's not that John has a death wish—he just can't stay quiet when he sees something deeply wrong. Even from prison, John's words keep Herod up at night. The king's actually fascinated by John, but he's also terrified of him. Why? Because deep down, Herod knows John's telling the truth. Then comes this elaborate birthday party. Herodias's daughter performs this dance that completely wows everyone. Herod, probably caught up in the moment and maybe a bit drunk, makes this over-the-top promise: "Ask for anything…up to half my kingdom!" That's when things take a dark turn. The daughter, coached by her mom who's been nursing a grudge against John, asks for something shocking: John's head on a platter.

Here's where it gets really human. Herod knows executing John is wrong. But he's trapped by his own words, his pride, and what everyone around him might think. He chooses his reputation over doing what's right. It's a choice people still make today—maybe not about beheading someone, but about staying quiet when we should speak up, or going along with wrong things because it's easier. Think about it: How often do we cave when standing firm might cost us something? Maybe it's staying quiet in a meeting when something unethical is proposed, or laughing at a joke we know is wrong, or looking the other way when we see someone being mistreated.

But here's the thing: John's story isn't ultimately about his death. It's about how one person's unwavering commitment to truth can echo through history. Two thousand years later, we're still talking about his courage. His life reminds us that doing the right thing might cost us—friends, opportunities, comfort, sometimes even more—but integrity leaves a legacy that outlives us. This isn't just ancient history. Every day, we face moments where we have to choose between what's easy and what's right. Standing for truth might not cost us our lives, but it might cost us a promotion, a friendship, or our comfort zone. John's story whispers to us across the centuries: some things are worth the price.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• When was the last time you stayed quiet to keep the peace, even though you knew something wasn't right?

• Where do you need courage this week to choose integrity over acceptance?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

God, give us the guts to stand for what's right, even when it gets uncomfortable. When we're tempted to cave to keep the peace, remind us of John's courage. Help us value truth more than popularity and integrity more than comfort. And when doing the right thing costs us something, give us the strength to remember that our faithfulness matters. Amen.