Herod Did Many Things

Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

What could be some of the "many things" Herod did when he listened to John preach?
1. He was moved with conviction. It is not possible for God’s Word to be preached without a response from the hearers. That response may be anger or joy, movement or resistance, but there will always be a response. Herod was living in sin and John preached against it, so conviction moved him.
2. He told his bimbo to shut up. She hated John and sought to have him killed her self. There is no doubt that she accompanied Herod every Lord’s day out of the comforts and confines of Jerusalem, towards Herod’s resort of Masada, only to stop by Aeanon to hear this rabble-rouser preach. Herod hung on every word and she cursed him under her breath constantly. I have no doubt that he had to tell her to knock it off so he could hear the entire message.
3. He gladly heard what John had to say. The style, the bizarre appearance, the power of his sermonic delivery held Herod spellbound. He could not resist the draw of this man’s oratory. He liked a good show and John’s homilies stirred and thrilled him greatly.
4. He watched him. Like a hawk, Herod kept track of John’s movements. He wanted to stay abreast of the Baptist’s itinerary so he could make every service. He admired how this leather and camel hair clad prophet carried himself. He coveted the character he himself lacked.
5. He feared John. Deep down, Herod knew that character trumped regality. He intrinsically sensed that right was greater than might. Though Herod was a powerful figure, John was a powerful soul. He knew he was no match for John’s wisdom, his righteousness or his ability to garner favor with the masses.
6. He tried to put up for John. He wished nothing but good for the man, but alas, the wicked Herodias would settle for nothing less than the Baptist’s head on a charger. The old fox was outfoxed by his concubine and her lithe daughter. Never has the dance been as perilous as when she writhed and wriggled a ridiculous promise out of poor, stupid Herod. Anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom, he said she could have. And thus, the greatest man to ever wear shoe leather was treacherously fated to die thanks to the hellish plot of Herodias and Salome. But John lives again, no doubt with a special spot somewhere near the throne room of glory. Erstwhile, the godless girls of Herod’s harem are having a hot time in the old town tonight.