When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place

 Matthew 14:1-13

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 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. 

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

Why?

King Herod was distressed to kill John the Baptist, but if he doesn't like to do it, he has the authority to let John free from prison. But he didn't.

This is the end of the mission to John on the world. Jesus Christ started his mission.

When heard the distress message, Jesus left the crowd and withdrew privately to a solitary place, to calm down the emotion, to pray, and to face himself.

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希律的反應代表掌權者的反感。希律怕百姓。怕王的形象受損。又怕同席的人，怕女兒的話。這樣子怎麼是王?愈在乎自己的權柄，反而什麼都怕。希律知道施洗約翰從神而來的。王為施洗約翰憂愁：希律其實尊重施洗約翰，希律夾在兩者中間，有點像舊約的亞哈王，想討好兩邊。我們也是常常夾在世界和神中間。我們常常受到既得利益的影響，受到世界、受到己的影響。亞哈想討好以利亞卻又放不下耶洗別。這就是9耶穌所說的，不能愛神又愛瑪門。希律最後是被自己打敗了。同樣我們不可能腳踏兩條船，兩邊都要。最聰明是選擇神這邊，只有神可以使我們滿足需要。

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How?

We don't know how long is our life, but we believe our life is in hands of the Lord. Be encourage and have faith in Jesus Christ.