A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

SIN PRODUCES MORE SIN      

Matthew 14:9-10 “The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.” (Read Matthew 14:1-12)  

King Herod and Herodias had entered into an adulterous relationship. You can read about that in the verses surrounding today’s devotional verses. John the Baptist had condemned their relationship. His condemnation did not sit well with Herodias. She caused Herod to have the Baptist arrested and imprisoned. This, in turn, led to the beheading of the Baptist. 

Herodias, and Herod for that matter, may have thought killing John the Baptist would eliminate criticism of their immoral relationship. Perhaps it did. However, their adulterous relationship did cause yet another sin, namely, the killing of the Baptist.   

Sin produces more sin. It is the domino effect. One sin leads to another, and then another, and another, etc. Think of it this way. You tell a lie. In order to try to cover up your lie you tell another lie. That in turn leads to telling yet another lie. And so it goes. 

This is why God’s Law and Gospel are so important in your life. You need His law, such as John the Baptist used in condemning Herodias and Herod. From their reaction to the Baptist’s statements, they tried to silence him by killing him. If only they had confessed their sin, repented of it, and begged God’s forgiveness. Instead, they committed another sin to try to get past their previous one.  The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9) Yes, even Herodias’ and Herod’s sin of murder was a forgivable sin. Whether you have one sin or a bushel basket full of sins, Jesus paid the price for them and through your faith in Him your sins are forgiven.   

Prayer: Cause me, O Lord, to see my sins, repent of them, confess and ask for Your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. In His holy name. Amen. 

Amazing grace— how sweet the sound—  
That saved a wretch like me!  
I once was lost but now am found,   
Was blind but now I see! 

The Lord has promised good to me,  
His Word my hope secures;  
He will my shield and portion be  
As long as life endures. 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares  
I have already come;  
His grace has brought me safe thus far,  
His grace will lead me home. 

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail  
And mortal life shall cease,  
Amazing grace shall then prevail  
In heaven’s joy and peace. 

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,  
Bright shining as the sun,  
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise   
Than when we’d first begun.  

Amazing Grace // LSB 744