The Big Deal

John sends Micah to meet his disciples and then seek a traveling teacher in Nain. The boy must deliver a message and may be gone for several days. Aubrey imagines that the mysterious teacher might lead an army to rescue John, but Micah knows only that John considers the errand important. He leaves Aubrey behind to bring food to the prisoner.

When Aubrey reaches the fortress, she learns that Herod has summoned John to the palace. The king enjoys hearing the prophet even though John's message troubles him. Aubrey follows the sound of John's voice and listens outside the court as he identifies himself as the messenger preparing the way for the Lamb of God.

John again tells Herod that taking his brother's wife is unlawful and urges the king to repent. Herod finds him fascinating and recognizes him as a righteous, respected prophet. Herodias, however, calls John a wicked rebel and privately threatens to silence him if she ever gets the opportunity. Herod sends John back to prison without resolving the conflict.

In his cell, John cries out to God. He had once proclaimed the message to crowds in the wilderness; now he wonders how he can prepare the Lord's way when no one seems to hear him. Aubrey arrives with a blanket and food, then asks why he cannot simply let Herod follow his own beliefs. She has heard Herodias's threat and fears that John's stand will cost his life.

John admits that he would prefer the peace of the desert, but his life belongs to God. He cannot stop proclaiming the truth merely to preserve himself. Even torture or death cannot take away a life that belongs to the living God. The teacher Micah has gone to find may be the man John once baptized - the Messiah whose coming gives purpose to everything John has done.

If the teacher truly is the Messiah, John wants Aubrey to leave him and run toward the One who brings life. John knows his own work will fade as the Messiah's grows, and he is content even to die once the promised One has come. Aubrey refuses to abandon him and decides to appeal directly to Herod for the basic right to believe and speak freely.

The palace guards dismiss her when she cannot claim Roman citizenship. Nearby, she meets Herodias's daughter Salome, a proud young dancer who accidentally breaks a precious vase. Her mother forbids her to perform at Herod's birthday celebration as punishment. Aubrey sees a way into the party and takes the blame herself, accepting a painful beating so that Salome may dance and introduce her to the king.

At the celebration, Aubrey begs Herod to release John. She reminds him that John is a good man and that the king already knows freedom is the right choice. Herod refuses to let the plea spoil his birthday and turns his attention to Salome's dance. Delighted by her performance, he publicly promises to give her anything she requests, up to half his kingdom.

Aubrey urges Salome to use the reward to free John. Salome likes the dramatic idea, but Herodias intervenes. She orders her daughter to demand John's head on a platter and threatens to end her dancing forever if she disobeys. When Aubrey protests, Herodias has the guards seize her and throw her from the palace.

Micah returns with joyful news that he has found the Messiah and has delivered John's message. John has encouraged him to become the teacher's disciple. Aubrey tells him that Herodias has arranged John's execution, and together they rush to find Jarus, hoping his respect for the prophet will move him to help. They arrive too late: John has already been beheaded in the prison, and his disciples take his body to a tomb.

John's final counsel remains with Aubrey as Whit ends the Imagination Station journey. The experience has upset her, but it has also shown her why belief can become a matter worth sacrifice. She does not announce a decision about the play or claim to share her parents' faith. With much still to consider, she chooses to go home and talk with Ben and Ellen, thanking Whit before she leaves.