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The Big Deal, II

Album: 35: The Big Picture

Episode: 450

Lesson/Theme: Standing up for what you believe

Bible Verse: Matthew 14:1-12

Characters: Whit

Writer: John Fornof

Sound Designer: Rob Jorgensen

Original Air Date: October 7, 2000

Last Air Date: October 6, 2009

Description:
Continued from Part 1... After completing their mission, Aubrey returns to find John to bring him food, discovering that he has been ordered to appear before Herod. She heads over to the palace and sees John speaking to Herod. She finds that Herod believes John is a righteous prophet (though he doesn't listen to what he says), but Herod's wife, Herodias thinks that John deserves to die. Aubrey finally meets up with John in the jail and he explains to her the reason that he stood up to Herod. He further explains that he will fade away, but the Messiah will not. Aubrey tells him that she's going to try to get him out of the jail. Back at the palace, she is not allowed in. However, in a side room, she finds Salome, Herod's daughter singing and dancing. When Salome accidentally breaks a vase, Aubrey agrees to take the blame for the vase if Salome will get her a way to see Herod. Salome readily agrees. Once inside the party, Aubrey begs Herod to release John, but he won't listen to her. However, when Salome dances for him, he promises her anything she wants. Salome asks for a minute to think it over and goes into the hallway where Aubrey meets her. Aubrey is begging her to ask for John the Baptist, when Herodias shows up and agrees with Aubrey. She says Salome should ask for John the Baptist, but only ask for his head. When Aubrey protests, Herodias throws her out of the palace. She tries to go to the prison to see Jarus, but when she gets there she finds that she is too late. John is already dead. Just as suddenly as it began, the Imagination Station adventure ends and Aubrey has a lot of thinking to do.

Questions:
John the Baptist had to stand up to Herod and tell him what he was doing was wrong. Why did he say he stood up to him? Can you think of any times when someone today might have to stand up to the authorities? John died because he stood up for what he believed. Not everyone who stands up for their beliefs dies for them, but they often go through other hardships. What other ways do people today suffer for their beliefs?