“John’s disciples were actively watching, hearing, and reporting to John about what Jesus said and did. And yet they did not follow Jesus. Why? How could they be so close and not step into obedient discipleship under Christ? Why follow the forerunner when the King had arrived?
They may not have been like Herod or Herodias, but there was something in them that caused them to stop short, too. For whatever reason, they decided to hold themselves back from full obedience to the Messiah. “We like John. We like how he does things. We feel great about our tradition and asceticism and how hardcore we are.” They were so disciplined and dedicated and thought themselves close to God, yet they did not walk with Jesus. He was not directing their lives.
Now what would they do? Their captain was dead. Buried in the ground. It is a subtle warning to us to not slip into a legalistic traditionalism that is dead. We must seek and serve a Living Savior. Not a man, but the God-Man, Who still speaks, still leads, still calls us into communion with Him.”
