Man in fox costume

The Fox is Herod Antipas. Jesus says so. If you donā€™t believe me, look at Luke 13:32.[1]

But what does this arrogant, sensual, and power-hungry tyrant say?

Maybe we should ask first: what does The Prophet (John the Baptist) say to The Fox?

The Prophetā€”speaking as the mouthpiece of the Lordā€”says to The Fox: ā€œIt is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.ā€ (Mark 6:18)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œLock that man up in prison!ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œIā€™m afraid of the crowd.ā€ (Matthew 14:3-5)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œIā€™m not letting that man out of prison!ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œIā€™m afraid of this guy; itā€™s obvious heā€™s a man of God.ā€ (Mark 6:20)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œI want to hear what John says.ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œThereā€™s no way Iā€™m going to do what God tells me to do.ā€ (Mark 6:20)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œI can do whatever I want with my fantasies.ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œThese desires are getting out of control.ā€ (Mark 6:17-18; 22-23)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œIā€™ve made a public promise; I will fulfill my promise. Bring me the head of John the Baptist on a platter!ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œWhat a stupid, rash oath Iā€™ve uttered! But Iā€™ll look weak if I donā€™t follow through.ā€ (Mark 6:21-28)

What does The Fox say?

ā€œHas John the Baptist come back from the dead?ā€ What heā€™s probably thinkingā€”but doesnā€™t say aloud is: ā€œOh no! Iā€™m terrified of the spirit world; I donā€™t want to be tormented for all the evil things Iā€™ve done!" (Mark 6:14-16)

What does The Fox say?

Forget about The Fox.

What does Jesus say? That is always the most important question.

What does Jesus say to The Fox on the final day of Jesusā€™ earthly lifeā€”at the moment when Jesus is brought before The Fox during the ā€œtrialā€ that will lead to his crucifixion? Absolutely nothing. Jesus is unwilling to speak a single word to The Fox (Luke 23:9). The Fox, who consciously, pompously, and repeatedlyā€”despite his personal fearsā€”spurns Godā€™s command, receives nothing but silence on the day he comes face to face with the Son of God.

This post was intended to get us to think about what drives us. We live in a day when peopleā€™s primary drives are found in the domains of power, sensuality, fear, and the striving for self-actualizationā€”like The Fox. Instead may our posture toward Godā€™s truth be that of humility, purity, faith, and submission.

Notes

[1] Luke 13:31-32: Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, ā€œGo away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill you.ā€ And he said to them, ā€œGo and tell that fox, ā€˜Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach my goal.ā€™ā€